The 1805 Dispatches #25.05 October 2025 4 of 8 Members of The 1805 Club attended the 2025 McMullen Naval History Symposium, which took place at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis MD, on 1819 September. Per the Symposium website, “this world-renowned biennial event highlights the latest research on naval and maritime history from academics and practitioners all over the globe. Held since 1973, the symposium has been described as the ‘largest regular meeting of naval historians in the world’ and as the U.S. Navy's ‘single most important interaction with an academic historical audience’." A dozen or more club members were present, with some participating as speakers. Aside from the general keynote addresses, the symposium is composed of panels of veteran and upcoming historians presenting their latest research on a wide range of topics. Since 2015 The 1805 Club has been a panel sponsor. This year the club, as it did last year, sponsored two panels. Club member Evan Wilson of the Naval War College was instrumental in bringing together the participants, whom the club recognized with certificates of appreciation. Panel 1 was entitled “The Unknown Sailor: New Perspectives on Life in the Royal Navy during its ‘Golden Age.’” Chaired by Sam Cavell, Southeastern Louisiana University, the topics included: • “John Strachan and the 18th Century Royal Navy as a Family Business,” presented by CDR Ryan E. Mewett, U.S. Naval Academy. • “An Accidental Volunteer: John Menzies’ Experience in the Royal Navy, 1793-1794,” presented by Evan Wilson, Naval War College. • “The Extraordinary Voyages of Dr. Benjamin Lara, Royal Navy Surgeon, 1801-1806,” Cori Convertito, Key West Art and Historical Society. This panel discussed people whom even a student of naval history is unlikely to have encountered, but who have had fascinating if largely unknown naval careers. Panel 2 was entitled “From the Sea: British Expeditionary and Combined Operations, 1775-1815.” This panel was chaired by Evan Wilson. The presentation topics were: • “The Roots and Implications of the British Hudson River Strategy in the American Revolution.” Presented by DeVere Crooks, Naval War College. • “Success in Spite of Every Difficulty: Combined Operations in Egypt, 1801,” presented by Sam Cavell, Southeastern Louisiana University. • “’A most profitable expedition…blended with much cruelty’: The Extent and Effects of British Operations from the Sea in the War of 1812,” presented by Kevin McCranie, Naval War College. This panel identified lessons from earlier conflicts that became building blocks to successful future combined operations. The 1805 Club panels were extremely well attended, demonstrating that the areas of club focus are interesting and relevant to those attending, including midshipmen from the Academy. Panel 1 discussing the unknown naval persons was ‘standing room only’; Panel 2 discussing the expeditionary and combined operations was also a full house. In addition to the panels, The 1805 Club also hosted an information table in the registration hall. Our display included copies of the Trafalgar Chronicle from the last few years, as well as copies of the Kedge Anchor. We were easy to find due to our imposing extendable banner. A highlight of our table was member John Williams’ sailing navy wargame display. Many thanks to John for setting this up for us, as it attracted significant attention. We also took the opportunity to encourage attendance at the Club’s Trafalgar Night dinner in Portsmouth, UK, as well as at that of the British Officers Club in Fairfax VA. As always, we all did our best to promote membership in the club. Member Shirin Camenisch provided excellent promotional display pages stating the club’s purpose and programs, as well as a QR code that would take a potential member directly to the membership sign up form. Thank you, Shirin! The 1805 Club has established a significant McMullen Symposium presence over the years. This no doubt will continue, as we strive to present the best of ongoing research and scholarship regarding the Georgian naval era to an ever-growing international audience. Panel 1 (left to right): Cori Convertito, John Rodgaard, Sam Cavell, Evan Wilson, Ryan E. Mewett Panel 2 (left to right): Sam Cavell, DeVere Crooks, Evan Wilson, Kevin McCranie, John Rodgaard McMullen Seapower Address: Author Nathaniel Philbrick THE MCMULLEN SYMPOSIUM
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