We have Egypt where war vessels pass through its canal.

BBC: 'Al-Qaeda' statement: Full text

Rather than risk a frontal assault from the sea, he borrowed 23 native canoes, long sleek war vessels called pirogues, and crept up the coast towards the unsuspecting town in the dead of night in 1668.

BBC: In search of pirates in Panama

Gibbs, a naval architect responsible for nearly 5, 500 Navy vessels that helped win World War II, put everything he had into his ultimate ship.

CNN: Sending out an SOS for 'America's flagship'

Vessels from dragon boats to Hawaiian war canoes compete in the race, set up by Stuart Wolff, who wanted to see more rowing boats on the Thames.

BBC: NEWS | UK | England | London | Rowers test mettle on the Thames

When the Cold War ended the service had well over 500 vessels in the active fleet, but that number dwindled to less than 400 during the 1990s and less than 300 in the decade just ended.

FORBES: Low-Cost Warship Rescues Navy From Shrinking Fleet

The ship, which is an official maritime war grave, is carefully protected by the local council, but hundreds of other vessels dotted round the UK coastline do not enjoy the same protection.

BBC: poppy memorial wreath

They also converted the first four vessels in the class to cruise-missile launchers with no nuclear role after the Cold War ended, which is why there are only 14 Ohios carrying ballistic missiles today rather than the 18 that were built.

FORBES: The Submarine That Might Save America

According to Greg Zikos, chief financial officer of Costamare, a Greek shipowner which rents its vessels to container lines, they have come to their senses following last year's price war, and are now seeking profits, not market share.

ECONOMIST: Shipping