The ships and fleets a naval historian would visit

If he could serve aboard one historical ship or submarine, which would Dr. Clarke choose?

He offers several choices: Cossack during the Altmark incident, a ship serving under Reginald Henderson, or Admiral Duncan's fleet at Camperdown.

HMS Cossack during the Altmark incident would provide a close view of a famous boarding operation. Serving in a battleship or carrier under Reginald Henderson would let Dr. Clarke observe the officer whose naval-aviation leadership is central to his research. Time with Admiral Duncan's fleet at Camperdown would open an earlier world of sailing-fleet command. The choices are linked by the historical questions direct experience might answer, not simply by the fame of the ships.