A 'Wet' Rag at Cookham

A Storm at Sea

July 1900 •English

While our photographers were crossing the Atlantic Ocean a most wonderful and sensational picture was secured, showing a storm at sea. The picture was secured by lashing the camera to the after bridge of the Kaiserine Maria Theresa, of the North German Lloyd Line, during one of its roughest voyages. The most wonderful storm picture ever photographed. Taken at great risk. (Edison Films, 1901)

Dignitaries Coming Down Gangplank

January 1896 •English

Actuality film. Late 19th century General Officer ranks and higher cross to a ship over a gangplank. As VIPs they meet some people which we don't get to see, then cross back again, getting caught in a crowd melée at the top of the stairs from the quayside.

Dos Antigos aos Filhos do Amanhã

May 2018 •Portuguese

The Ship That Wouldn't Die!

April 1945 •English

This short film focuses on the USS Franklin, an aircraft carrier that in March 1945 suffered heavy bombing damages and a massive toll on servicemen before returning to the U.S.

Look at Life: Down London River

January 1959 •English

Take a history tour on the River Thames. Lots of famous footage: Parliament, Big Ben, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral, Port of London, Cleopatra's Needle and much more!

Look at Life: Report on a River

January 1963 •English

A look at the River Thames, its past and present, from source to the sea. An examination of what has been done and is being done to modernize port services and to keep traffic moving—from holiday pleasure seekers to bustling commerce.

The True Story of the Mary Celeste

November 2007 •English

On December 4, 1872, the unmanned Mary Celeste was found adrift in the Atlantic with its cargo fully intact. The mystery of this "ghost ship" remained unanswered for over 135 years. What happened to the Mary Celeste is widely regarded as the most famous mystery of the sea. Watch it unfold to its stunning conclusion, at last.

Levende Rivier

December 2015 •English

A man canoes through the the Rhine

Against the Tides

May 2018 •English

The story of an extraordinary woman, marathon swimmer Beth French, attempting the world’s most extreme swimming challenge. Driven to be a role model for her autistic son, and by her battle with lifelong illness (ME), Beth confronts jellyfish, sharks, wild weather and reluctant skippers. But as her journey unfolds, dangers of the sea prove easier to conquer than upheavals of the heart.

Aqua Babes

August 1956 •English

This short subject shows Lissa Bengston teaching a group of three- and four-year-olds how to swim in a pool. Miss Bengston, a member of the Royal Academy of Physical Education, Stockholm, Sweden, believes that at this age, children have no fear of the water and, therefore, can be taught to use their natural abilities to swim.

The Great Saphir

March 2018 •French

This film is the story of several civic and individual initiatives which consists of collecting waste, at sea and on land, to preserve the environment. We start by portraying these committed characters with the personal initiative of Emmanuel Laurin, "The Great Saphir", who combines athletic achievement and environmental protection. During almost 14 days, between May 25 and June 8 in 2017, Manu swam 120 km of coastline while collecting macro-waste to raise public awareness of the critical state of pollution in the Mediterranean Sea. This film is a reflection of the evolution of environmental activism: after the denunciation, these new whistleblowers adopt a positive approach and take action. They prove to us every day that we are all able to do that.

Life on the Thames

August 1950 •English

This Traveltalks short visits cities and towns along the Thames River. It begins in London, with views of Cleopatra's Needle and the Tower Bridge. We then visit the Trout Inn at Oxford, a favorite gathering place for students at the university. After a short look at Eton, it's off to Henley-on-Thames and the world-famous regatta.

In Deep With Ryan Lochte

July 2020 •English

Four years after Ryan Lochte's scandal at the 2016 Olympics, the father of two tries once more to make his way onto the U.S. Olympic team and prove he isn't the same man he once was.

Old Norse Vikings Festival

March 1927 •

Viking chieftains, flaming torches and outlandish costumes liven up a dark January day in Lerwick, Shetland, as the townsfolk celebrate 'Up Helly Aa'.

Mermaid

January 2018 •Spanish

Documentary that tells the story of Vianney Trejo, a young woman who struggles every day despite her disability. We go through her daily routine, as well as her passion, swimming, where she has consistently achieved triumphs and has been considered for international competitions.

Le monstre

January 2024 •French

The Seafarers

October 1953 •English

Members of the American Federation of Labor, the Atlantic & Gulf Coast District of the Seafarers International Union commissioned budding filmmaker and magazine photographer Stanley Kubrick to direct this half-hour documentary. The director's first film in color, it is more of an industrial film than a documentary, it served as a promotional tool to recruit sailors to the union.

Touch the Wall

November 2014 •English

Swimming superstar Missy Franklin was destined for greatness at an early age, but it wasn't until the arrival of Veteran Kara Lynn Joyce that those sky-high expectations began to take shape.

Faire des vagues

September 2016 •French

Sailing the Treasure Ship

May 2010 •English

Navigating the Indian Ocean in a reconstruction of a 1,200-year-old Arab ship, held together by 100km of rope and 127,000 hand-sewn stitches. The Jewel will sail more than five thousand kilometres across the Indian Ocean and do battle with the Monsoon – but for sailors it can spell danger and even death. It took a year to build: the Jewel of Muscat – a reconstruction of a 1200 year old Arab ship, based on an ancient shipwreck. Built from more than 18 tonnes of wood, the ship is held together entirely by 100 km of rope in over 127,000 hand-sewn stitches. Now the Jewel will sail more than five thousand kilometres across the Indian Ocean and do battle with the Monsoon – the mighty rain soaked wind that turns the arid land it touches green. But for sailors it can spell danger and even death.