The Great Ships

From ancient Viking ships to modern aircraft carriers, "The Great Ships" lets you step on board to explore the design, construction, technology and armaments of history's great vessels of war and peace. Join us as we roam majestically over the oceans of the world with everything from the modern Aircraft Carrier - the largest warship ever to sail the seas, acting as the centrepiece of a mighty taskforce - to the Battleships that were designed to be the ultimate expression of naval power and proved themselves to be indispensable during some of the most dramatic moments of World War II. Then there are the nimble Cruisers, which have played a crucial role in the world's navies for the past two centuries, thanks to an amazing versatility that has afforded them a longevity exceeding almost every other type of warship, as well as the Destroyers - some of the fastest and most deadly warships ever built. Mounting a powerful arsenal of offensive and defensive weapons, they can serve equally well as escorts for other vessels, or as formidable attack ships in their own right. Finally, we conclude with the Dreadnoughts - the battleships that evoke the most awe as both a technical marvel and a potent symbol of national might and became the focus of the 20th Century's first arms race - and the Frigates, vessels that provided both intimidation and protection for the merchant ships that were the lifeblood of maritime trade.