Without engines to propel ships across the oceans, it was up to the Captain to skillfully navigate the wild seas by employing nature's own wind power. A knowledge and experience of currents, of winds blowing and when they would blow was the success or failure of many an adventure of the Royal Navy. While unpredictable, it was nonetheless the work of hydrographers and meteorologists like Sir Francis Beaufort that would help with gauging, and understanding more about the winds so as to better avoid their wrath and harness their power towards the explorations and victories of the Royal Navy.
