Combat Ships - Season 2

This is the story of one of the world's most effective war machines: the Viking longship. Over the centuries, longships evolved from swift war canoes to become the preeminent fighting machines of the age. For over 200 years, Vikings depended on these vessels to carry them across the ocean to trade and to plunder. With names such as Surf Dragon and Great Serpent, these ships became part of Viking culture and took on almost magical properties. They were elegant, versatile, and feared. But what was the secret behind their power? We examine the story of longships and those who built them, a warrior people who were often violent, terrifying, and bloody...but also expert craftsmen. The Vikings and their ships changed the course of history.

Over the past century, combat ships have been operating in secret, unseen by the enemy. Today, the military uses groundbreaking, radar-reflecting technology to evade detection, but long before, the U.S. Navy has employed stealth tactics to pull off crucial operations that helped win wars. Join us as we take a look at World War II operations involving the small and fast PT boat, the daring motor yacht Sundowner, and the legendary submarine HMS Seraph. Then see how the 1985 prototype Sea Shadow paved the way for the stealth ships of today like the Ghost.

Doomed Vessels explores the human errors that condemned great ships to a tragic end, including the Vasa, a 17th-century combat ship that sank on her maiden voyage, and K-13, an experimental British submarine that sank in 1917 with the loss of 32 crewmen.

Destroyers and cruisers are the quintessential combat ships, each featuring speed and firepower while carrying out unique roles within a navy. We highlight the similarities and differences of these two warships and share stories of some of the most influential vessels and battles, from the lone-wolf cruiser, HMS Gannet, which became a powerful symbol of the Victorian anti-slavery campaign to the legendary USS Laffey, the World War II destroyer that stared down the largest kamikaze attack in history off Okinawa. Other ships featured are the cruiser HMS Belfast on D-Day, the heavy cruisers USS Salem and USS Newport News, and the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Howard. 

Stories of espionage at sea, including deadly U-boat cat-and-mouse games during the Great War, the sinking of the Lusitania, a gun-smuggling private yacht that made history and liners-turned-troopships.

In the 16th century, the Spanish Armada was the reigning maritime superpower, with mighty galleons at their disposal. On the other hand, the English were the upstarts, opportunistic pirates with inferior ships. Led by buccaneering figures such as Francis Drake and John Hawkins, English ship technology began to catch up, leading to the revolutionary "race-built galleons." In 1588, both sides would meet in battle for the right to be declared rulers of the waves. England defeated the Spanish Armada and became a world power.

It was a microcosm of naval warfare, involving battleships, carriers, destroyers, submarines, kamikazes, and fighter jets, all embroiled in an epic, three-day battle in October 1944 that marked the beginning of the end to the Pacific War of WWII. This is a comprehensive look at the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines and the thousands of vessels involved, including the largest, most powerful battleships ever built: Japan's Musashi and Yamato. We detail the brilliant strategies, heroic acts, stunning decisions, and mighty machines that made this the biggest sea conflict in history.

Explore vessels built for amphibious combat over the last century, from D-Day LCTs to Vietnam hovercrafts. This account of amphibious assault craft includes the restoration and story of Britain's last surviving landing craft, tank (LCT 7074), designed to carry six Churchill tanks for D-Day. Vietnam-era craft covered are the Swift Boats and PACV (Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle) combat hovercraft. Other types include the Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) hovercraft and the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Independence-class and Freedom-class.