Sailors in the Dock: Naval Courts Martial Down the Centuries

Justice on the High Seas

From Sir Francis Drake to the Second World War, Sailors in the Dock is the first book on naval courts martial to be written in over a century — and it is a gripping read. As British sea power transformed an obscure island into a worldwide empire, the men who commanded those fleets wielded extraordinary power. Yet behind the glory lay a world of intrigue, insubordination, and spectacular human failing.

These are the stories the history books rarely tell: admirals more at war with each other than with the enemy, trials for mutiny and dereliction of duty, moments of staggering stupidity and genuine tragedy — and, quite often, episodes of unintentional farce. Each verdict rippled through British society, shaping the legal framework of the land in ways that endure to this day.

• Spans centuries of British naval history, from Drake to WWII
• The first dedicated study of naval courts martial in over 100 years
• Vivid portraits of admirals, captains, and common sailors
• Reveals how courtroom drama shaped Britain's legal and social fabric

A must-read for lovers of British history, naval history, and the endlessly colourful cast of characters who built — and occasionally imperilled — an empire.