Episode 66 - Famous idioms and HMS Diamond Rock

This week, Harrison has returned to Chris’ topic from episode 23, famous idioms and where they come from. Ever wondered why we talk about Crocodile tears, running amok, winning hands down or turning a blind eye? Well listen to this episode and wonder no longer! Chris meanwhile discovers the incredible story of Diamond Rock, a few kilometres off the coast of the Caribbean island of Martinique which is a part of France. During the Napoleonic Wars, the British Navy took it upon itself to take over the tiny rock, commission it as a stone frigate (a land-based naval facility) and station cannons all over it. Due the location of the rock, it meant the British sailors stationed on there spent 17 months harrying any enemy shipping attempting to head to Martinique. When the French and Spanish finally sent a combined fleet to deal with the pesky British sailors, they took heavy losses and sailed away when they heard Nelson was in the area hunting for them. The best bit? When the British Navy commissioned the location, it turned into HMS Diamond Rock, which all Royal Navy ships are required to salute when the pass. We love the British and their arcane ways!