The story of the very first warships from Ancient Greece, through the rise of Carthage, to the mighty Roman Navy. Includes footage of the Viking long ships which carried their fierce warriors from Scandinavia to the British Isles and beyond.

The age of sail, when mighty oak warships met in thunderous battle, most notably at the battle of Trafalgar in 1805, The programme includes extensive footage of HMS Victory, the last survivor of that battle.

The story of the vessels that changed ship design forever: the Monitor, the Merrimack and an animated reconstruction of their heroic battle during the America Civil War. Also includes footage shot aboard HMS Warrior.