Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:31:47-3:33:44

Where to research HMS Badger and an obscure sloop

Local museum records and major ship-reference works provide complementary routes into the history of an obscure Merlin-class sloop such as HMS Badger.

Age Of SailHMS BadgerNaval ArchivesReference Books
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

Where should someone begin researching HMS Badger of the Merlin class?

Short answer

Start with the Orkney Islands museum, then use Colledge and Warlow, McLaughlan's Sloops of War, and Winfield's British Warships in the Age of Sail.

Notes

The Orkney Islands museum is the first place to look because local institutions often retain material on nearby wrecks and ship losses. J. J. Colledge and Ben Warlow cover Royal Navy identities, while Ian McLaughlan's Sloops of War addresses the vessel type. Rif Winfield's British Warships in the Age of Sail series offers the deeper, more expensive reference on design, construction, careers, and fates. Together they form a practical research ladder from local evidence to standard reference works.