Maritime history Books

Book SynopsisThe Herbert Fuller, a three-masted sailing ship loaded with New England lumber, left Boston bound for Buenos Aires on July 8, 1896 with twelve people on board: captain-owner Charles Nash, his wife and Maine childhood-sweetheart Laura, two mates, the ''mulatto'' steward, six crewmen, and one passenger. Just before 2 A.M. on the sixth day at sea, the captain, his wife, and the second mate were slaughtered in their individual bunkrooms with the ship''s axe, seven or eight blows apiece. Laura Nash was found with her thin nightgown pushed above her hips, her head and upper body smashed and deformed. Incredibly, no one saw or heard the killings... except the killer. After a harrowing voyage back to port for the survivors, the killer among them, it didn''t take long for prosecutors to charge, and a Boston jury to convict, the first mate, a naturalized American of mixed blood from St. Kitts. But another man on board, the passenger, a twenty-year-old Harvard quitter from a proper Boston family,

Read more less

Book SynopsisLusitania was an engineering marvel, at one time the largest, fastest and most opulent vessel in the world. The iconic passenger liner immediately became a weapon in the Allied propaganda war, helping to shift American public opinion against Germany and influencing the USA's eventual entry into the First World War.

Read more less

Book SynopsisNew edition of a classic, much-sought-after work by the ex-QE2 master, Commodore R.W. Warwick

Read more less

Book SynopsisA full-colour photographic journey around the newest of the Cunard queens

Read more less

Book SynopsisEssential reading for anyone planning a trip on a cruise ship into polar watersTrade ReviewYou are now an armchair traveller … relax and enjoy the voyage of your dreams by way of this fascinating book. -- Philip Dawson

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrue-life stories of seafarers facing danger and death in the 19th and early 20th centuries

Read more less

Book SynopsisMaritime yarns and anecdotes gathered over many years working at the ancient Waterford Harbour

Read more less

Book SynopsisQM2 was introduced in 2003 to the great fanfare, as the largest, longest, grandes and most expensive ocean liner ever built. She replaced the beloved QE2 on the transatlantic run and has become a firm favourite around the world, her popularity soaring with eache new port she visits. Her interiors and fourteen spacious decks put QM2 head and shoulders above the rest and hark back to the golden age of ocean liners. Cunard experts Chris Frame and Rachelle Cross present the full story behind this great liner, from her concept as the next generation of ocean liner to her world-breaking achievements. With full colour photographs and fascinating facts, this is a must-have for all those who love ocean travel.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFishing the Severn Sea From Hartland Point to St Ann's Head. The Bristol Channel, once one of the busiest fishing lanes in Great Britain, is a compelling area of the nation's seas to discover, with a unique range of characteristics. In this book, renowned maritime historian Mike Smylie and Simon Cooper, expert in the field, delve into the variety of fishing methods used in the past and present around this coastline. The area from Hartland Point in the south-west of England to St Ann's Head in Wales is examined in detail, via the lower reaches of the River Severn and its estuary, the River Wye and the south coast of Wales. Accompanied by previously unseen photographs and drawings, the authors present a fascinating account of the lives of the Severn Sea' fishermen, the boats they used and the way they went about bringing in their catches. Encompassing stories from the herring fishers of Clovelly to long-netting on the Severn and the harvest of oysters off Swansea, this book is a must fo

Read more less

Book SynopsisConsidered one of the most treacherous areas of Britain's coastline, Land's End has seen many shipwrecks over the past 2,000 years. Where the waters of the Atlantic meet those of the English Channel, storms are frequent and violent and have caught out many a ship. Thousands have been dashed against the rocky granite coast. In 1853, the RNLI established a lifeboat station at nearby Sennen Cove and the people of this small Cornish village have been saving lives ever since. The crews of Sennen have saved many lives in the past 160 years, helping those in distress from sailing dinghies to the largest of cargo ships. Nicholas Leach tells the story of Sennen's lifeboats and the volunteer lifeboat crews who have manned them in this fully revised and updated history of the lifeboat and wrecks off the tip of Cornwall.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDuring the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries religious zeal nourished by the mendicantsâ sense of purpose motivated Dominican and Franciscan friars to venture far beyond Europeâs cultural frontiers to spread their Christian faith into the farthest reaches of Asia. Their incredible journeys were reminiscent of heroic missionary ventures in earlier eras and far more exotic than evangelization during the tenth through twelfth centuries, when the western church Christianized Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. This new mission effort was stimulated by a variety of factors and facilitated by the establishment of the Mongol Empire, and, as the fourteenth century dawned, missionaries entertained fervent but vain hopes of success within khanates in China, Central Asia, Persia and Kipchak. The reports these missionaries sent back to Europe have fascinated successive generations of historians who analyzed their travels and struggled to understand their motives and aspirations. The essays selected Table of ContentsContents: Introduction; Bibliography; Part I The Crusade and The Mission: The First Crusade and the conversion of the 'pagans', Jean Flori; The Latin Church and the Crusader states, Bernard Hamilton; Missionaries and Crusaders, 1095-1274: opponents or allies?, Elizabeth Siberry; Crusade and conversion after the Fourth Lateran Council (1215): Oliver of Paderborn's and James of Vitry's missions to the Muslims reconsidered, Jessalynn Lea Bird. Part II Discovering Asia: Eastern missions of the Hungarian Dominicans in the first half of the 13th century, Mary Dienes; Simon of Saint-Quentin and the Dominican mission to the Mongol Baiju: a reappraisal, Gregory G. Guzman; Western views of the origin of the ’Tartars’: an example of the influence of myth in the second half of the 13th century, Charles W. Connell; The opening of the land routes to Cathay, Eileen Power; Italian merchants in the Mongol empire, Luciano Petech; Brother Jordan of Sévérac, Arthur C. Moule. Part III The Missions Within the Mongol Empire: The Yangchow Latin tombstone as a landmark of medieval Christianity in China, Francis A. Rouleau; The conversion of the Alani by the Franciscan missionaries in China in the 14th century, Frank W. Ilké; The Il-khans of Persia and the princes of Europe, John Andrew Boyle; An unknown letter of Hulagu, Il-Khan of Persia, to King Louis IX of France, Paul Meyvaert; Christian wives of Mongol Khans: Tartar queens and missionary expectations in Asia, James D. Ryan; The Mongols and the faith of the conquered, Peter Jackson; The missions to the north of the Black Sea (13th-15th centuries), Jean Richard; Index.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisOffering an introduction to the world's seas as a platform for global exchange and connection, Michael North offers an impressive world history of the seas over more than 3,000 years. Exploring the challenges and dangers of the oceans that humans have struggled with for centuries, he also shows the possibilities and opportunities they have provided from antiquity to the modern day. Written to demonstrate the global connectivity of the seas, but also to highlight regional maritime power during different eras, A World History of the Seas takes sailors, merchants and migrants as the protagonists of these histories and explores how their experiences and perceptions of the seas were consolidated through trade and cultural exchange. Bringing together the various maritime historiographies of the world and underlining their unity, this book shows how the ocean has been a vital and natural space of globalization. Carrying goods, creating alliances, linking continents and conveying culturTrade ReviewAccessible, refreshing and bold. Michael North confidently guides his readers through stormy seas and past breezy islands to discover the rich history of fisheries, exploration, migration and trade. The book offers a sweeping narrative that places the world seas at the forefront of human endeavour and cultural mediation. * Peter Borschberg, Dept. of History, National University of Singapore & Distinguished Visiting Scholar, Dept. of History, National Cheng Kung University, Singapore and Taiwan *In this work, Michael North has reminded us that before navigating the world’s vast oceans, there was a correspondingly prominent exploration of the seas. These smaller watery expanses served as a vital historical springboard guiding us into the “Age of Sail.” Through his astute organization, North has delivered an important book that is equally informative as it is accessible to those outside of this field. * Rainer F. Buschmann, Professor of History, California State University Channel Islands, USA *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. The Sea in Antiquity 2. North Sea, Baltic Sea and Black Sea: The Vikings 3. Red Sea, Arabian Sea, South China Sea: The Maritime Silk Road 4. Mediterranean: The rise of the Maritime Republics 5. Metropoles on the North and Baltic Seas 6. Indian Ocean: Europe meets Asia 7. Atlantic: Expanding horizons and exchanges 8. Pacific: Exploration and Encounter 9. Global Seas: From Sail to Steam and the Communication Revolution 10. Dangerous Seas: Exploitation, Pollution and the Refugee Crisis Conclusion Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisMore than any other type of environment, with the possible exception of mountains, the sea has been understood since antiquity as being immovable to a proverbial degree. Yet it was the sea's capacity for movement both literally and figuratively through such emotions as fear, hope and pity that formed one of the primary means of conceptualizing its significance in Late Antique societies. This volume advances a new and interdisciplinary understanding of what the sea as an environment and the pursuit of seafaring meant in antiquity, drawing on a range of literary, legal and archaeological evidence to explore the social, economic and cultural factors at play. The contributions are structured into three thematic parts which move from broad conceptual categories to specific questions of networks and mobility. Part One takes a wide view of the Mediterranean as an environment with great metaphorical and symbolic potential. Part Two looks at networks of seaborne communication and the roleTrade ReviewSeafaring and Mobility in the Late Antique Mediterranean has much to offer historians and archaeologists. It is a collection of fresh and innovative studies of seafaring, mobility and connectivity in the late antique Mediterranean world. * The Classical Review *This volume is an innovative piece of scholarly work that discusses in novel ways the interactions of humans with the marine environment during Late Antiquity. The subject of the volume touches on important current topics like continuity and disruption in human societies that lived in contact with dynamic natural environments like the sea, making it a very fitting contribution for this Ancient Environment Series. With its interdisciplinary approach the book highlights how it is possible to make Classics and research of the ancient Mediterranean world relevant to the present and the future. -- Katerina Velentza * Bryn Mawr Classical Review *This is an in-depth volume that brings welcome attention and discussion to some of the previously overlooked spaces, places and themes within the study of the seafaring world of the Mediterranean in Late-Antiquity. -- Julian Whitewright, Visiting Fellow in Maritime Archaeology, University of Southampton, UKTable of ContentsAcknowledgements Note on Translations List of Abbreviations List of Illustrations Introduction: Approaches to the Later Imperial Mediterranean as an Environment Emilia Mataix Ferrándiz (Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies, Finland) and Antti Lampinen (Finnish Institute at Athens, Greece) Part I: Imagination and Domination: The Mediterranean as a Conceptual Environment 1. Knights, Kings, and Dragons: The Symbolic Conquest of the Mediterranean Sea in Late Antiquity and its Historical Background Joanna Töyräänvuori (University of Helsinki, Finland) 2. Migrating Mosaics: Transforming Images of Oceanus and Marine Environments from the Imperial Period to Late Antiquity Alexandra Grigorieva (University of Helsinki, Finland) 3. Mediterranean as a Contested Environment in Late Antiquity Antti Lampinen (Finnish Institute at Athens, Greece) Part II: A Networked Environment 4. Connecting People in the Mediterranean: Mobility and Migration in Ostia and Portus Arja Karivieri (Institutum Romanum Finlandiae, Finland) 5. ... d?? ??s?? p??e?? ... Taking the Island Route: Trade and exchange along the coast of Southern Naxos Hallvard Indjerd (British School at Athens, Greece) 6. ‘Stepping across thresholds”: Islands as Resilient Spaces of Connectivity in the Passage from Late Antiquity to the early Middle Ages (c. 500-ca. 700) Luca Zavagno (Bilkent University, Turkey) and Zeynep Olgun (Koç University, Turkey) Part III: Braving the Sea in the Later Empire 7. ‘Washed by the Waves’. Fighting against Shipwrecking in the Later Roman Empire Emilia Mataix Ferrándiz (Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies, Finland) 8. Upwind Sailing Capabilities of Square-Rigged Ships in Late Antiquity and the Ramifications for Trade Networks Doug Forsyth (University of St Andrews, UK) 9. On the Byzantine Tradition of D. 14.2.9 (Maec. ex lege Rhodia): A Note concerning the Emperor as Ruler on the Sea Valerio Massimo Minale (Bocconi University, Spain) Notes Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisPresenting a novel and needed theoretical model for interpreting shipwrecks and other drowned fragmentsthe histories they tell, and the futures they presageas junctures of artefact and ecofact, human remains and emergent ecologies, this book puts the environmental humanities, and particularly multispecies studies, in close conversation with literary studies, history, and aesthetic theory. Earth's oceans hold the remains of as many as three million shipwrecks, some thousands of years old. Instead of approaching shipwrecks as either artefacts or ecofacts, this book presents a third frame for understanding, one inspired by the material dynamism of sea-floor stuff. As they become encrusted by oceanic mattersome of it living, some inanimateanthropic fragments participate in a distinctively submarine form of material relation. That relation comprises a wide, and sometimes incalculable, array of things, lives, times, and stories. Drawing from several centuries of literary, philosophical, anTrade ReviewReading Underwater Wreckage is a book that does not operate at the surface; it is not an overview. Instead, The Encrusting Ocean introduces a dynamic methodology in oceanic interpretation that focuses on submerged artifacts. The book's encrusted theory unfolds as a valuable addition to the growing body of work in the blue humanities and new materialism. It is a book that inevitably will push the blue humanities to greater depths. -- Professor Sid Dobrin, University of Florida, USAThis book is a remarkable confluence of material culture, environmental humanities, and literary studies – but at its heart is the work of the sea itself. Quigley invites us to sift through the de debris of the seafloor with new feelers, new eyes, new conceptual prosthetics. We are invited to rethink the sea as archive and artist, and to reconsider what sunken treasure augurs in a time of rapid cultural and environmental change. * Astrida Neimanis, University of British Columbia, Canada *Reading Underwater Wreckage is a poignant and insightful entreaty to keep in mind that how we think and write, and conduct science, about wreckage is of paramount importance because wrecks are not things of the past. They are real things that impact real lives, then as now. -- Sarah Rich * Journal of Maritime Archaeology *Table of ContentsFigures Acknowledgements Preface: Submersions, Wrecks, and Stirrings Introduction I. Lively Debris: Ontologies of an Encrusting Ocean II. First Habit: Fouling III. Second Habit: Concrescing IV. Third Habit: Artmaking Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs seen from the perspective of 1492, the medieval expansion of Latin Europe was nowhere as dramatic or enduring as in the Iberian Peninsula and the Atlantic. Its Christian kingdoms continued their advance against Al-Andalus up to 1492, whereas territorial expansion elsewhere against the Muslim world had either ceased or subsided by the late 13th century. Castile and Portugal also transformed the Atlantic Ocean from the inaccessible dead-end of Eurasia into the most promising avenue for European expansion for the first time in history. The articles collected in this volume explore the causes and the nature of this expansion, from a variety of historical traditions. They investigate the extent to which the 'transference' of Mediterranean traditions aided this process; the characteristics of Iberian conflict that eventually led to the success of its Christian kingdoms; and the motives for launching, and techniques for running, the first European 'overseas empires' in the unfolding AtlantTrade Review'There is much to admire in this collection of essays. Readers of this Journal will find in it a multifaceted, stimulating and useful account of Iberian expansion into the Atlantic in the fifteenth century.' International Journal of Maritime HistoryTable of ContentsContents: Contents: Introduction; Bibliography; Part I The Background: The expedition of the brothers Vivaldi: new archival evidence, Jill Moore; The role of the Italian merchant class in Renaissance and discoveries, Thomas Goldstein; The origins of the European Atlantic, Felipe Fernández-Armesto. Part II Peninsular Reconquests: The survival of a notion of Reconquista in late 10th- and 11th-century León, Felipe Fernández-Armesto; Reconquest and crusade in Spain c.1050-1150, R.A. Fletcher; The frontier and Castilian liberties, Claudio Sánchez Albornoz; Trading with the ‘other’: economic exchanges between Jews, Muslims, and Christians in late medieval northern Castile, Teofilo F. Ruiz; From the Reconquista to Portugal Islâmico: Islamic heritage in the shifting discourses of Portuguese historiography and national identity, Abdoolkarim Vakil; The Reconquest as crusade in the anonymous De expugatione Lyxbonensi, Stephen Lay. Part III The Castilian Ocean: The Atlantic islands and the development of southern Castile at the turn of the 15th century, Carlos-Alberto Campos; Castile, Portugal and the Canary Islands: claims and counterclaims, 1344-1479, Joseph F. O’Callaghan; An ecohistory of the Canary islands: a precursor of European colonialization in the New World and Australia, Alfred W. Crosby. Part IV The Portuguese Ocean: White kings on black kings: Rui de Pina and the problem of black African sovereignty, P.E. Russell; Prince Henry the Navigator: the rise and fall of a culture hero, P.E. Russell; Before Columbus: Portugal’s African prelude to the Middle Passage and contribution to discourse on race and slavery, A.J.R. Russell-Wood; Slavery and slaving in the Portuguese Atlantic (to about 1500), Anthony Luttrell; Feudal and demesnial forms of Portuguese colonization in the Atlantic zone in the 14th and 15th centuries, especially under Henry the Navigator, Charles Verlinden; The settlement of Madeira and the sugar cane plantations, Virginia Rau; How the South was won - and how Portuguese discoveries began, P.E.H. Hair; Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom renowned author and naval historian Angus Konstam, this is a gripping account of one of the Royal Navy''s bloodiest and most dramatic mutinies.Mutiny on the Spanish Main tells the dramatic story of HMS Hermione, a British frigate which, in 1797, was the site of the bloodiest mutiny in British naval history, which saw the death of her captain and many of her officers. Though her crew handed her over to the Spanish, Hermione was subsequently recaptured in a daring raid on a Caribbean port two years later. Drawing on letters, reports, ship''s logs, and memoirs of the period, as well as previously unpublished Spanish sources, Angus Konstam intertwines extensive research with a fast-paced but balanced account of the mutiny and its consequences.Illustrated with maps and diagrams tracing the events as they unfolded, and supported by informative inserts on the technical and tactical nuances of seamanship and naval warfare in the periodTrade ReviewA vivid account of a forgotten chapter of British naval history. * Dan Snow, Historian, TV Presenter and Broadcaster *Angus Konstam is a master of meticulous maritime research and has brilliantly reignited this stirring tale of mutiny, savage murder, treason and subsequent Royal Navy daring and gallant retaliation and retribution. It is a cracking good read. * Admiral Sir Jock Slater, Royal Navy (rtd.), former First Sea Lord *Angus Konstam has delivered a masterful work. Fast moving, fascinating intrigue, incredible action, and heroic retribution by the Royal Navy. Meticulous research includes a surprising impact on US history. Patrick O’Brian would love this book. I couldn’t put it down! * Admiral Jay L. Johnson U.S. Navy (rtd.), former Chief of Naval Operations *Mutiny on the Spanish Main has everything such a history should have: a story which no novelist would dare put before his readers, an exploration of the depths to which unconfined humans can sink… [and] a graphic style which places the reader in the action – and there is action aplenty. What more could any reader want? * Peter Padfield, Author of Nelson’s War *Konstam’s detective work in archives across the world reveals the astonishing story of what really happened, the characters of the men involved and the convoluted mixture of geopolitics and personality which led to one of the bloodiest chapters in British naval history. * Siân Rees, Author of The Floating Brothel *Angus Konstam starts in the homely surroundings of a pub in Greenwich with two lamented and larger-than-life characters, and takes us to the Caribbean in one of the navy’s worst-run ships, in a period of great unrest. He provided a moving and terrifying picture of mutiny and its aftermath in one of the Royal Navy’s darkest hours, combined with a thorough understanding of the customs and techniques of the navy of the day. * Brian Lavery, Curator Emeritus, National Museum, Greenwich and author of Nelson's Navy *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Maps Preface 1: The Hermione 2: Crisis in the Caribbean 3: The Seeds of Mutiny 4: The Fortunate Son 5: The Caribbean Honeymoon 6: The Floating Powderkeg 7: Murder in the Night 8: The Evil that Men Do 9: The Spanish Main 10: The Manhunt 11: An International Incident 12: The Surprise 13: The Cutting Out 14: Retribution Notes Bibliography HMS Hermione – Ship’s Specifications Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis collection offers new perspectives on the legacy of British colonisation by concentrating on Atlantic Canada, a region that was pivotal to safeguarding Britain's imperial ambitions, between 1750 and 1930.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBringing together specialists in ancient history, archaeology and Roman law, this book analyses the socio-legal framework within which maritime trade was conducted. In doing so, it presents a new understanding of the role played by legal and social institutions in the economy of the Roman world.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAt approximately 8:45 a.m. on 6 December 1917, the Belgian Relief vessel IMO struck the munitions-laden freighter Mont-Blanc in Halifax Harbour. The Mont-Blanc exploded in a devastating 2.9 kiloton blast, which killed 2,000 people and injured 9,000. More than 6,000 people were made homeless, and an additional 12,000 were left without shelter.Bearing Witness tells the story of the Explosion, and the catastrophic damage it caused, through the eyes and words of more than two dozen journalists and record keepers who experienced it first hand. Their accounts reveal a unique perspective, offering new detail about the tragedy and providing insight into the individuals who struggled to articulate the magnitude of the shocking event to the rest of the world.In addition to the original work by journalists and record keepers, Michael Dupuis provides over 30 photographs and illustrations, several previously unseen, and a detailed timeline of journalistic activities from the time of the Explosion on December 6 to December 16.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA Tudor voyage of exploration - an extraordinary story of daring, discovery, tragedy and pioneering achievement.In the spring of 1553 three ships sailed north-east from London into uncharted waters. The scale of their ambition was breathtaking. Drawing on the latest navigational science and the new spirit of enterprise and discovery sweeping the Tudor capital, they sought a northern passage to Asia and its riches.The success of the expedition depended on its two leaders: Sir Hugh Willoughby, a brave gentleman soldier, and Richard Chancellor, a brilliant young scientist and practical man of the sea. When their ships became separated in a storm, each had to fend for himself. Their fates were sharply divided. One returned to England, to recount extraordinary tales of the imperial court of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. The tragic, mysterious story of the other two ships has to be pieced together through the surviving captain's log book, after he and his crew became lost and trapped by the advancing Arctic winter.This long-neglected endeavour was one of the boldest in British history, and its impact was profound. Although the 'merchant adventurers' failed to reach China as they had hoped, their achievements would lay the foundations for England's expansion on a global stage. As James Evans' vivid account shows, their voyage also makes for a gripping story of daring, discovery, tragedy and adventure.Trade ReviewMeticulously researched ... Evans's short, exciting chapters describe the voyage and 16th-century life, technology and politics in glorious detail -- Stephen Coulson * THE LADY *Looking for a short-cut sea route, in 1553 they commissioned Sir Hugh Willoughby and Richard Chancellor to voyage in search of a northeast passage through the Arctic to Asia. Their venture was, says Evans, one of the boldest in English history as a significant turning point in English economic and cultural development. It's also a good story, well told -- Iain Finlayson * THE TIMES *Entertaining and meticulously researched ... Merchant Adventurers is much more than a reconstruction of one of the most fascinating voyages of the Tudor age. The author places the expedition in the wider context of global exploration, mercantile expansion and the establishment of the first joint-stock company. Indeed he argues that the 1553 expedition anticipated the dawn of a new era, one that would see the formation of the East India Company and England's fledgling empire -- Giles Milton * LITERARY REVIEW *Essentially this should be a tale of a spectacular failure, yet Evans' enthusiasm in relating the achievements of their 1553 voyage is infectious ... James Evans' excellent book reminds us that even the most ill-fated attempts broke new ground. These first, tentative missions eventually allowed for the eastern side of the map of the world to be inked in -- Chris Skidmore * TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT *This is an extraordinary tale of a voyage of discovery every bit as epoch-making as those of Spain and Portugal ... A richly detailed account that is a pleasure to read -- Lucinda Byatt * THE HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY *Evans combines gripping adventure stories with an exploration of the roots of the British empire and national consciousness * YOUR FAMILY TREE *This is the fascinating story of a forgotten few whose deeds had an important long-term impact on Britain's history * THE GOOD BOOK GUIDE *A fascinating insight into the minds of the merchant adventurers who laid the foundations for the British Empire, and much of our politics, for the next 400 years. -- Keith Richmond * TRIBUNE *It is a heroic and tragic tale that for all the commercial and political agents at work remains, above all, a story of courage and endeavour. Evans is alert to the complexities of early modern diplomacy and cultural encounter, and the description of the survivors' experiences in Russia complements well the treatment of what they endured at sea -- Mark Hutchings * LONDON MAGAZINE *James Evans offers an account of an extraordinary 1553 voyage full of daring, discovery, tragedy and pioneering achievement. The Chalk Farm author lifts the lid on how a Britain with little maritime experience came to rule the waves through the efforts of historic pioneers like Sebastian Cabot, Sir Hugh Willoughby and Richard Chancellor * HAM & HIGH *The book's strength is in showing the extent to which the institutional structure of the joint stock company that emerged from the ill-fated voyage as the Muscovy Company was a model that was replicated to form successful ventures in British trade and imperial outreach for the next two centuries -- Robert J. Mayhew * BBC HISTORY *

Read more less

Book SynopsisHead of William Lindsay and Co., one of the largest shipowners in the world. Member of Parliament for Sunderland and for Tynemouth and South Shields.Table of ContentsTable of Contents Selected contents Volume 1 Ch.1 Rapid rise of New Orleans and New York; Boston ships extend the trade to India and China; Mercantile marine laws of the United States; Superiority of native American seaman owing to their education; Conditions of wages; Power of Appeal to the Admiralty Courts Ch.2 Education of merchant seamen in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, Russia and Prussia, France; Qualifications of Venetian shipmasters; Present regulations of Austria; Consuls of Genoa, Ancona, Naples; Report of Consuls in South America; Shipowners condemned for character of their ships and officers; Necessity of a competent Marine Department Ch.3 High estimate abroad of English Navigation Laws; Change necessary owing to Independence of America; Commercial treaties with America; Conciliatory steps of the Americans; Reciprocity treaties; Shipowners who seek protection against Colonial shipping; Lord John Russell leads the way against protection; Effects of Irish Famine Ch.4 Equalization of Sugar Duties; Navigation Laws suspended; Rules in force in the Plantation Trade; First infringement of the principle of confining the American trade to British vessels; State of the law before the Declaration of American Independence; Trade with Europe; East India trading and shipping; Trade with India in foreign and in United States ships Ch. 5 Progress of changes in Navigation Laws; Reciprocity Treaties; Registry Laws; Naturalization of goods brought to Europe; Story of the cochineal; Special views of the Canadians; Free Trade with United States desired; Canadian urge abolition of Protection; Welland Canal; West Indians for Free Trade; Divergent views of capitalists at home Ch. 6 Ships built more cheaply abroad; Views as to captains of merchant ships; Praise for their nautical skills; Views of Collector of Customs in London; Difficulty about manufactured articles; Anomalies of coastal and internal trade; Commercial panic and distress of 1847 Ch. 7 Suspension of New Parliament; Mr Bancroft’s Declaration; Lord Clarendon tells shipowners laws will not be altered; Lord Palmerston admits correspondence with America; Evidence of shipowners before the Lord’s Committee; Claim in favour of direct voyages; Importance of keeping up the merchant navy; Working of the system of apprenticeship; Details about American ships; Reciprocity treaties so far as they affect the Americans Ch. 8 Protectionist principles stated; Extent of shipping trade; National defences endangered; Mt Gladstone’s views; Lord George Bentinck; Mr Disraeli; Rely of America; Proposed change in coasting trade; Meeting of Shipowners’ Society; Agitation in the country Ch. 9 Question of reciprocity; Difficulty of ‘favoured nation’ clause; Burdens to be removed from shipowners; Coasting trade; Americans not free-traders; Smuggling in the coasting trade; Details of American law; Lord Russell; Mr Disraeli Ch. 10 Protected and unprotected trade; Napoleon’s desire for ships, colonies and commerce; Increase of foreign peace establishments; Canada not our only colony; Claims of shipowners and fear of competition; Timber duties; Coasting trade thrown open; Americans throw open all except their coasting trade Ch. 11 Dependence of many shipowners on repeal of Navigation Laws; Advantages naturally taken by foreigners, especially Americans; demand for enforcement of reciprocity on foreign nations; Certificates of examination; Institution of Naval Courts abroad; Merchant Shipping Act 1854; New measurements of ships; Registration of ships; Wrecks Ch. 12 Parliamentary Inquiry 1854-5; Emigration system; Runners and crimps; American emigration law; Disgraceful state of emigrant ships; Resolution of New York Legislature 1854; Legislation in the United States 1855; English Passenger Act 1855; Fraudulent tickets; Merchant Shipping Act discussed; Question of limited liability; Powers given to Board of Trade; Examination required for engineers

Read more less

Book Synopsis‘James Seay Dean is the noted authority on these voyages … he provides a sympathetic treatment of life aboard ship in some of the most challenging circumstances these redoubtable sailors faced “beyond the line”.’ – Professor Barry Gough, maritime historian ‘A fascinating and informative account of the development of Tudor and Stuart sailing ships. Its examination of their architecture, sailing, and tactics, especially as it is set within the international political context, makes a most interesting story.’ – Bryan Barrett, Commander RN, ret. From jacktar to captain, what was life like aboard an Elizabethan ship? How did the men survive tropical heat, storms, bad water, rotten food, disease, poor navigation, shifting cargoes and enemy fire? Would a sailor return alive? Sea Dogs follows in the footsteps of the average sailor, drawing from the accounts of sixteenth-century and early seventeenth-century ocean voyages to convey the realities of everyday life aboard the galleons sailing between England and the West Indies and beyond. Celebrating the extraordinary drive and courage of those early sailors who left the familiarity of their English estuaries for the dangers of the Cabo Verde and the Caribbean, the Rivers Amazonas and Orinoco, and the Strait of Magellan, and their remarkable achievements, Sea Dogs is essential reading for anyone with an interest in English maritime heritage.

Read more less

Book SynopsisImages of WWI in the popular consciousness normally involve the bloody attrition of trench warfare, the miles of mud, the shattered earth, the tangled miles of barbed wire. However there was another significant arena of war - the battle for control of the sea. In 1914 at the beginning of the war, Britain's maritime supremacy had remained unchallenged for around a hundred years. Many expected another Battle of Trafalgar but advances in technology saw a very different kind of warfare with the widespread use of mines, submarines and torpedoes. This book examines the events that led to war and the naval arms race between Britain and Germany. It traces the events of the war at sea looking at the major battles as well as the effects of unrestricted submarine warfare and the sinking of the Lusitania. It also profiles key figures such as Fisher, Beatty, Tirpitz and Graf von Spee.Trade ReviewThis A5-sized hardback book traces the naval arms race between Britain and Germany prior to World War 1, * Ships Monthly *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the acclaimed historian of global empire, the dramatic story of how steam power reshaped our cities and our seas, and forged a new world orderSteam power transformed our world, initiating the complex, resource-devouring industrial system the consequences of which we live with today. It revolutionized work and production, but also the ease and cost of movement over land and water. The result was to throw open vast areas of the world to the rampaging expansion of Europeans and Americans on a scale previously unimaginable.Unlocking the World is the captivating history of the great port cities which emerged as the bridgeheads of this new steam-driven economy, reshaping not just the trade and industry of the regions around them but their culture and politics as well. They were the agents of what we now call 'globalization', but their impact and influence, and the reactions they provoked, were far from predictable. Nor were they immune to the great upheavals in world politics across the 'steam century'.This book is global history at its very best. Packed with fascinating case histories (from New Orleans to Montreal, Bombay to Singapore, Calcutta to Shanghai), individual stories and original ideas, Darwin's book allows us, for better or worse, to see the modern age taking shape.'A fine, important and original book ... wonderful' Paul Kennedy, Literary ReviewTrade ReviewStriking ... The work underlines how the past 50 years' surge of globalisation has built on the previous wave that started nearly 200 years ago ... A compelling picture of the societies that drove steam globalisation. -- Robert Wright * Financial Times *In the great opening up of the world that is his subject, the port cities were the hinges ... an enjoyable synthesis of a large body of scholarship. * The Economist *A fine, important and original book ... wonderful. -- Paul Kennedy * Literary Review *

Read more less

Book SynopsisMaritime security covers many issues including disputes over ownership of the continental shelf and of the boundaries of Exclusive Economic Zones, as well as protecting citizens from ballistic missile attacks using sea-based platforms and the introduction of non-native marine species to new aquatic habitats. Loss of key habitats and species may harm tourism and the wider economy while illegal fishing and smuggling often degrade the maritime environment. Nor should we forget that the sea is a favoured means of transit for trans-national terrorist and criminal groups, and smuggling of drugs, people and weapons remains a perennial concern for governments and their agencies trying to police the seas. Even today, however, the threat of conventional naval warfare has not receded entirely: rivalries over the ownership of the continental shelf, in areas such as the Spratley and Paracel Islands and the Lomonosov Ridge, could well be the harbinger of future conflict. Securing access to an ever-dwindling source of oil and gas may also threaten conflict on a worldwide basis as navies confront each other to secure economically vital sea lanes of communications in a time when energy security concerns are high on political the political agenda. Sloggett's book deals with this fascinating range of issues in a comprehensive manner also provides a blueprint for the development of maritime security, an integrated solution based around creating accurate and timely maritime domain awareness and sharing this with both military and commercial users of the sea.Trade Review[A] major reference point in the debate on how the complexity of Maritime security can be managed. -- International Affairs, December 2014A most timely, comprehensive and relevant study of the challenges and considerations surrounding Maritime Security. -- Sym Taylor, former Commander, Royal NavyDr Sloggett provides a thought-provoking analysis of the relevance of the classic theories of Alfred Mahan and Julian Corbett to today's maritime scene, leading again to the conclusion that there are eternal verities of maritime power which we ignore at our peril. ... we should heed his warning. -- Sir Jeremy Blackham, Editor, The Naval Review.The world's oceans are a highway for world trade, a source of vital protein and the last great energy frontier. That also makes them the target for criminals, terrorists and rogue states. Dave Sloggett has done a formidable job in analysing, describing, and defining a subject that must be of interest to all those who depend on secure oceans - everyone, that is. -- Martin Murphy, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council of the United States and author of Somalia, the New Barbary? Piracy and Islam in the Horn of AfricaSloggett has written a book all too seldom found in private security; a serious and weighty yet newsy look, with a long and international perspective. -- Professional Security

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrance, early summer 1794. The French Revolution has been hijacked by the extreme Jacobins and is in the grip of The Terror. While the guillotine relentlessly takes the heads of innocents, two vast French and British fleets meet in the mid-Atlantic following a week of skirmishing. After fierce fighting, both sides claim victory. In The Glorious First of June Sam Willis not only tells, with thrilling immediacy and masterly clarity, the story of an epic and complex battle, he also places it within the context of The Terror, the survival of the French Revolution and the growth of British sea-power.Trade Review'One of the things that makes Willis such a joy to read is the blazing clarity of his explanations. By the time you've finished his book you'll appreciate every nuance of naval tactics' Mail on Sunday. * Mail on Sunday *'His portrayal [...] serves as a model for future studies' International Journal of Maritime History. * International Journal of Maritime History *'With his great gift for making complex events exceptionally clear, and an authentically salty understanding of the workings of wind, sea, sail and rig, this is a brilliant and subtly nuanced account' Sunday Times. * Sunday Times *'Those who would attempt to explain a great battle at sea in the age of sail need salt water in the veins and a skilled pen. In this marvellous book Dr Sam Willis proves that he has both' BBC History Magazine. * BBC History Magazine *'Willis brings a welcome pace and energy to what might otherwise have been a dry account of a rarely remembered sea battle' Glasgow Sunday Herald. * Glasgow Sunday Herald *'Willis's matchless grasp of historical detail brings it vividly to life' Mail on Sunday. * Mail on Sunday *Table of ContentsList of illustrations. Maps. Prologue: The First Regicide. Introduction. The First Terror. The First Surrender. The First and Greatest Sea Officer. The First War Artist. The First Convoy. The First Contact. The First Blood. The First of June. The First Reaction: Honour and Glory. The Second Reaction: Acrimony and Disgrace. The Second Terror. Epilogue. Appendix I: The Chronology. Appendix II: The Fleets. Appendix III: The Pocock Sketches. Appendix IV: The Biographies. Glossary. Notes. Bibliography. Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPerched on an isolated rock in the Scottish Hebrides, this is a fascinating and comprehensive account of Skerryvore, 'the most graceful lighthouse in the world,' and the great Victorian engineer who designed and built it. At a height of 48m (156 feet), it is the tallest lighthouse in Scotland. The story of the Skerryvore lighthouse and its creator, Alan Stevenson, is remarkable by any standards. Here was a man of exceptional intelligence and wide-ranging ability who overcame Herculean challenges over a six-year period to place a lighthouse on an isolated rock in the wild North Atlantic, 12 miles off the Hebridean island of Tiree. He was a brilliant and complex character, much loved by his family and those who knew him, but beset with self-doubt. His is a moving and truly amazing story just waiting to be told. Reading Alan Stevenson's 1848 Account of the Skerryvore Lighthouse, the author immersed himself in Skerryvore through the mind of its creator, using his background as a professional engineer to assess the state of knowledge at the time, and to learn all he could about its background, technical design, and the many trials and tribulations surrounding the lighthouse's construction. This highly readable book, illustrated in full colour with beautiful old maps, engravings and photographs, also contains introductory material about Eddystone and Bell Rock Lighthouses that greatly influenced Alan Stevenson in his design and construction of Skerryvore. Snippets of personal reminiscences and fascinating historical perspectives on the West Highlands give readers a wider view, encouraging them to visit Tiree.Trade Review'Lynn writes with a light hand, weaving descriptive prose with science, setting the construction of Skerryvore in natural and social-historical context. ...a gem of a book that is more than just an account of the building of a massive stone tower on a treacherous ledge. ...Lynn blends art and science, distilling the storyof Skerryvore into a highly readable, engrossing chronicle'. The Lightkeeper -------------------- 'The personality of Victorian engineer Alan Stevenson is also explored, as we are shown the skill and determination which was needed to bring this immensely challenging project to fruition'. Scottish Memories -------------------- '...this publication is important. ... I congratulate Paul Lynn on his articulate and skilful narration... ...I found it a great read and have no hesitation in recommending it to the lighthouse aficionado as well as the casual reader! You will not be disappointed'. www.bellrock.org.uk -------------------- 'The story of the lighthouse, and of the man who built it, Alan Stevenson, is a fascinating one, and Paul A. Lynn tells that story in an informative and highly accessible way. ...a large number of excellent (and often also contemporary) maps and drawings and more recent photographs really helps bring the subject matter to life. ...a thoroughly worthwhile addition... ...takes a rounded view of two very underappreciated subjects'. Undiscovered Scotland -------------------- '...a thorough account of the building of the lighthouse as well as a discussion of Stevenson's personal background and the personality behind this remarkable Victorian engineer. ...the first in-depth discussion and explanation of the scientific principles involved in lighthouse design...Lynn's descriptions of all the decisions made behind every detail of the building Skerryvore...thoroughly fascinating. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in lighthouses, maritime history and historical accounts of engineering achievements'. World Lighthouse Society Newsletter -------------------- 'His life and time, skills as an engineer and designer, personal strengths and weaknesses are assessed and presented... All is revealed in this fascinating book'. Scottish Island ExplorerTable of ContentsPart I: Precedents; To the Hebrides; The Stevensons; Sea peril; English lesson: Eddystone; Scottish lesson: Bell Rock. Part II: Skerryvore; To the Isle of Tiree; Great preparations; 'On the construction of lighthouse towers'; 1838: A faltering start; 1839: Solid progress; 1840: Stones to Skerryvore; 1841: Onward and upward; 1842: Topping out; 1843: Endgame; Engineer, scholar, artist. Epilogue. Appendix: weights and measure. Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisSouthern Lights recounts the story of how New Zealand lighthouses were established through the transfer of technology from Scotland to New Zealand over a period of almost 90 years. This resulted in most of New Zealand's lighthouses being fully or partially built using Scottish materials and expertise. The major Scottish contribution was the professional services provided by the firm founded by Robert Stevenson. The firm of David and Thomas Stevenson took on the first commissions and its successor companies over a period of 80 years were Consulting Lighthouse Engineers to the New Zealand Government. They arranged tenders, advised on technology, supervised manufacture and dispatch of lighthouse components and stores, and much more, proving invaluable to the New Zealand Agent-General in London. It was on this basis that in the period 1859 to 1941, 38 major lighthouses were built; 30 of which were constructed between 19865 and 1897. Thirty-three were built using Scottish-designed and built lanterns and apparatus and Scottish-designed lenses, although these were of French or English manufacture. Of the other five, two were eventually replaced by Scottish lighthouses, two were upgraded with Scottish technology and the fifth remains the sole example of English lighthouse design, although in its time was supplied with Scottish equipment. Scotland also supplied trained professionals who manned the lights, designed and administered them.Trade Review`This book gives an excellent account of the political background... ...it also paints a vivid picture of the logistical problems of shipping delicate and expensive equipment across the globe as well as demonstrating the efficiency of the Stevenson firm. The complete history of each lighthouse, including those built after 1913, is described in exhaustive detail down to the twentieth century. ... The book is crammed with facts and with transcriptions of letters and specifications... This book has copious references, and the numerous transcriptions of archival material are useful for a lighthouse historian. ...it has some excellent illustrations’. Engineering History and Heritage -------------------- `...well-written enlightening account that will appeal to all lighthouse enthusiasts and anyone interested in the maritime history of New Zealand’. Sea Breezes -------------------- `Southern Lights has been meticulously researched. ...contains some wonderful images of the lighthouses - some no longer standing - and a number of archival plans and charts. An interesting title...' LAMP -------------------- '...highly recommended to anyone with an interest in lighthouses, whether in New Zealand or Scotland, or more widely... ...a book which is going to have enduring value as a work of reference long into the future. ... The depth of research that underpins it is reflected in the long lists of references that conclude each chapter. Despite this the book remains approachable and readable, and fascinating. ...superbly illustrated... ...the best book anyone is ever going to be able to write about its subject and is a real pleasure to read'. Undiscovered Scotland

Read more less

Book SynopsisRecollections of an Unsuccessful Seaman was written in 1928/1929 by George Leonard Noake, who wanted to keep himself occupied for the rest of his days after learning of his incurable illness from which he died, aged 42 years, in 1929. Born in 1887, he joined the nautical training establishment, H.M.S. Conway, in 1903 and then served an apprenticeship at sea until 1908 when his detailed memoirs commence with him sailing as a second officer in the European/West African trade. After going ashore to work on a farm between 1913 and 1915, he returned to the mercantile marine in 1915 during the First World War to sail in a number of ships carrying horses, grain and coal. He survived not only being torpedoed in the English Channel, but also making 112 trips between England and Europe on a ship carrying war materials. Subsequently joining one of the largest tankers in the world, he endured a hazardous passage without a naval escort through the Channel to Rosyth to deliver safely the precious oil cargo before hostilities ended. The narrative of his wartime experiences are both harrowing and humorous. The tanker continued to trade in peacetime between Mexico and South America before eventually returning to Hull, where he signed-off to see his family after being away for seven months. War reparations had him travelling out to the East as a passenger to sail as second officer on board a German vessel bound for Europe, where the Depression after the war gave him no hope for further seagoing employment. Borrowing money from a relative in 1921 he bought into a farm before becoming a haulage contractor. On the verge of bankruptcy in 1923, he escaped his creditors by joining a ship bound for Australia as a quartermaster. Luck was on his side and upon his return home, he became master of a `Glasgow Puffer' that had been converted to carry oil. He remained in the employ of the National Benzole Company to take command of three coastal tankers before accepting work as a chief officer on a ship trading in the Mediterranean. His seagoing career as a chief officer ended in 1927 when he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Readers of this poignant portrayal of life in the 1900s, not only at sea but also ashore, will be thoroughly entertained and moved by the author's experiences and humour. Leonard Noake was undoubtedly a true character, a person who enjoyed more than a tipple or two, a strong supporter of the fledgling unions being born in that era and an unrelenting critic of shipping magnates and their shareholders. The last chapter of the book has been published without correction or editing to permit the reader to make his/her own judgement of Len, his heartfelt style of writing and his passionately held beliefs.Trade Review`Readers of this poignant portrayal of life at sea and ashore in the first part of the 20th century will be both entertained and moved. What shines through the pages is his constant `can do’ attitude and humour. A totally fascinating story of seafaring one hundred years ago with 30 pages of watercolour sketches and photographs’. The Cadet -------------------- BOOK OF THE MONTH `...it is a true unpretentious insight into the life in the mercantile marine some 90 years ago and has been magnificently edited by his great-nephew, David Creamer. Sometimes harrowing, but often humorous, this is a true gem and a poignant portrayal of life at sea and ashore in the 1900s'. Sea Breezes -------------------- `Penned with warmth and humour, this is an engaging tale of one of the genuine war heros of the age - one of those unknown seamen who signed for voyage after voyage into war torn seas to quite literally save Britain'. Julian Stockwin -------------------- `Readers of this poignant portrayal of life in the first quarter of the 20th century, not only at sea but also ashore, will be thoroughly entertained and moved by the author's experience and humour. Here is an amazing collection of a seafarer's tales. ...is a valuable contribution to the literature of the British Mercantile Marine. In particular it is one of the best of its type and a valuable link with our forefathers' seafaring days: 1903-1927'. Paul Ridgeway, Africa Ports & Ships -------------------- `The narrative of his wartime experiences is both harrowing and humorous. The rest of life is covered in a well written manner. ...a great insight into life at sea in the early part of the 20th century. This is a very good book and I would very highly recommend it to our readers'. Shipping Today and Yesterday -------------------- `...an amazing collection of a seafarer's tales. Recollections of an Unsuccessful Seaman is a valuable contribution to the literature of the British Mercantile Marine'. IFSMA Newsletter -------------------- `BOOK OF THE MONTH! A vivid Voice from our past. His fascinating accounts of serving onboard a remarkable range of vessels in war, peace and the Great Depression years contain many parallels with the present day... The book includes a wonderful selection of photographs, paintings and drawings he made during his time at sea. A kind of oral history, it all adds up to a rare, powerful and very direct account of the often grim realities of seagoing life a century ago'. Telegraph, Nautilus International -------------------- `...it was fascinating to read an extraordinary book...that offers a more intimate picture of the merchant seaman's war. He paints fine word pictures of life at the rough end of the merchant service, as an officer on horse-transports bringing remounts across the Atlantic to the front in France. His wit, laconic attitude and a cheerful demeanour shine through this book, which really does shine a light on merchant seafaring at this traumatic time. Along with the heroism of the combatants, we should remember the merchant mariners, the Armistice Day'. Lloyd's List -------------------- `...record a world now long since lost in the mists of time. The writer of the notebooks and diaries had a very keen eye for detail'. In Depth

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the simple to the sophisticated, a detailed look at the making of ten new static model ship projects which demonstrate the transition from kits to scratch building. Chapters dedicated to the building of each vessel lead the model maker through the various phases of construction, advising on both the methods and procedures required to build models up to exhibition standard. The range of subjects extends from the simple Bounty's Jolly Boat to HMS Bounty itself. The huge San Felipe is representative of the Spanish warship of the late 17th century, and the 1:48 scale Viola takes the modeller into the fascinating world of early twentieth century American whaling. A later chapter summarises rigging terminology and modelling techniques - that part of the building process that unjustifiably deters many from delving into the most satisfying hobby of static model sailing ships.Table of Contents74-Gun Bellona. H.M.S. Unicorn. English Brig Portsmouth. See Ewer Elbe. Spanish 17th Century 104-Gun San Felipe. H.M.S. Bounty's Jolly Boat. H.M.S. Victory Section - Main Section. Pride of Baltimore II, 1988. Armed Transport Bounty. American Whaling Brig Viola. Another Look at Rigging.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis autobiography records the author''s remarkably varied maritime career. In 1939 he obtained his Scottish Higher Leaving Certificate and, unable to obtain an apprenticeship, later passed his 2nd Mate''s Certificate, and sailed as a navigating officer. This gave him the freedom to serve on a very large variety of vessels, beginning aboard MacBraynes'' paddle steamer PS Gondolier as a First Class Pantry Boy until war was declared. In the following ten years, including the entire Second World War, he served aboard a UK coasting vessel converted for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship, a Portuguese coaster flying the Panamanian flag, two liners, a millionaire''s steam yacht, four tankers (one of which was Norwegian and one adapted to fuel the Royal Navy escort at sea) and nine cargo ships (again one was Norwegian and one a weather-reporting ship). While probably not unique, this assortment would certainly be hard to equal, far less surpass. "Making Waves" thus provides a wide-ranging account of what life in the Merchant Navy was really like and the conditions in the countries visited, and contains many anecdotes and a deal of humour.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWritten by a man who has lived and sailed a great part of his life in the waters around Chichester Harbour, this book aims to capture the beauties and excitement of the place. It tells the history of the region in a series of chapters, ranging from the arrival of the Romans to the evacuation from Dunkirk, that recreate a series of local incidents.

Read more less