Maritime history Books
The History Press Ltd Canadian Pacific Ships
Book SynopsisEstablished in the 19th century to carry passengers and freight across the Atlantic and Pacific, this is the story of the development of the company and its ships
£21.25
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Leyte Gulf
Book Synopsis''A worthy addition to any bookshelf.'', The Naval Review A fascinating re-examination of the battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval encounter in history and probably the most decisive naval battle of the entire Pacific War.Leyte was a huge and complex action, actually consisting of four major battles, each of which are broken down in detail in this book, using original sources. The plans of both sides, and how they dictated the events that followed, are also examined critically.So much of the accepted wisdom of the battle has developed from the many myths that surround it, myths that have become more firmly established over time. In this new study, Pacific War expert Mark Stille examines the key aspects of this complex battle with new and insightful analysis and dismantles the myths surrounding the respective actions and overall performances of the two most important commanders in the battle, and the ?lost victory? of the Japanese advance into Leyte Gulf that never happened.
£13.49
The History Press Ltd 180 Years of Cunard
Book SynopsisCelebrating 180 years of the iconic Cunard Line, the world’s most famous shipping company
£21.25
Oxford University Press Navigation
a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.
£9.49
Faber & Faber Storm and Conquest
Book SynopsisThe Indian Ocean, 1809. At stake: Britain''s commercial lifeline to India and naval supremacy. In one fatal season, the natural order of maritime power since Trafalgar was destroyed. Storm and Conquest brings together the terrifying ordeal of men, women and children caught at sea in hurricanes, and those who survived to drive the French from the Eastern seas. All shared a need to prove themselves - to make a career, or a fortune, or a marriage - in places which could be at once magnificent and terrifying.
£11.69
The History Press Ltd Cannibals and Carnage
Book SynopsisIn the nineteenth century true stories of cannibal tribes massacring white traders (and vice versa) and missionaries fed the morbid appetites of Europeans, North Americans and colonials. Accounts of cannibalism committed by seafarers on their dead shipmates quickened the pulses of landfolk even more, and pricked their moral disquiet. Acts of desperate men committing unspeakable atrocities. The warring frenzy of cannibal headhunters and their gruesome feasting. Such was the stuff of real-life sixpenny romances', rich in human butchery and garnished with treachery and terror. The more atrocious the at rocities, the more exotic the locations; the more sensational the narratives, the greater was the thrall of these thrilling tales of the sea.
£11.69
The History Press Ltd The Hovercraft
Book SynopsisIt looks into the exciting world of hovercraft leisure, cruising and racing from amateur to Formula 1, and also explores the important role the hovercraft plays in rescues whether on water or delivering aid around the word in places that helicopters can’t reach.
£16.99
Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. Atlas of Shipwrecks and Fortunes of the Sea
Book Synopsis
£23.79
Pen & Sword Books Ltd The Development of British Amphibious Operations 18821914
Book SynopsisThe projecting of military force to a distant shore has come to be seen as a uniquely British way of waging war. To be sure, many of these operations would now be classed as administrative landings with battle, if occurring at all, only following sometimes afterward. Others, of course, merit the label of opposed landings. To contemporaries of the period covered by this study, the evolutions went by the appellation of conjoint or combined operations. Less important than how they were styled remains the thought and the purpose giving rise to these ventures. In the decades before the First World War, professionals appreciated the myriad difficulties and dangers associated with amphibious operations. The laity, including statesmen, thought rather less of these matters but could recount numerous examples of their occurrence before 1914. Indeed, whatever operational failings Britain demonstrated during the World War a corpus of relevant experience was the least of these. What is now styled joint amphibious operations were difficult because they were never of a single type. Naval support to a military force standing on the defensive, raids, feints, blocking operations, riverine operations, and, yes, an opposed landing, spoke to a series of joint operations of ever-increasing complexity. Meanwhile, as every operation must at some point end, even the manner of evacuation came to be viewed as a special type of combined operation to be understood and learned. Finally, it remained that in a campaign of the grandest scale, examples of each might feature at differing moments along the way. Landings before 1914 were difficult and what military and naval authorities thought feasible before the onset of the World War in the realm of joint operations is a neglected field of studya surprising omission given the ink that has been spilt retelling the debacles experienced at Gallipoli, Mesopotamia, and East Africa. Every campaign has its contextoperational and strategic to be surebut also political, doctrinal, and bureaucratic. How Britain elected to wage war in 1914 proved a product of these variables just as surely as the military and naval capabilities it could muster. Tying the strands of pre-war military experience and thought in the realm of joint operations is the chief purpose of this study which takes as its starting point 1882 and the British assault against Egypt. The choice is far from arbitrary as the moment saw several earning their spurs who would later play a central role in the amphibious operations executed during the Great War. To the extent learning is more than the product of self-experience, this work pays special attention to the Russo-Japanese War. Thinking officers appreciated that fundamental changes were occurring in the nature and style of war. A learned public also appreciated this courtesy of works such as Ivan Bloch's Is War Now Possible? Notwithstanding what British officers understood on the eve of the World War, the problem of time and scale remained. This alone should give one pause before chiding others over past mistakes. This study looks at what was thought, what was taught, what was expected, and what occurred in the thirty years before Britain found herself facing a scale of conflict not witnessed in a century.
£21.25
Pen & Sword Books Ltd French Aircraft Carriers
£36.00
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Titanic
Book SynopsisThis is the only book ever published which concentrates on Titanic people from one particular region Greater Manchester. The RMS Titanic disaster, which occurred on the night of 14/15 April 1912, is one of history's most catastrophic human tragedies, which resulted in a terrible sacrifice of life. The people on board were proud to be part of the ship's maiden voyage, but what they didn't know was that it was destined to be its only voyage. The county of Greater Manchester in the north-west of England is made up of the Metropolitan boroughs of Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan. More than 30 people from the region had connections with RMS Titanic - they being a mixture of passengers and crew, and the majority of them lost their lives. This is the story of who they were, what happened to them during the disaster, and what the future held for those who survived. Some of them left detailed accounts of the horrific incident.
£18.70
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Sea Fishing Disasters
Book SynopsisThe Eyemouth Fishing Disaster saw almost two hundred men lose their lives when their small, wooden fishing boats were caught in near-hurricane force winds off the coast of Scotland in 1881. The Japanese fishing training vessel the Ehime Maru was quietly making its way across the Pacific Ocean when it was struck from beneath by a US Navy nuclear submarine and sank within minutes. The British trawler Gaul, newly constructed and specifically designed to handle harsh conditions and stormy seas, was lost with all hands in 1974 without managing to issue a distress call. The cause of its sinking would remain a mystery for over two decades. These are three of the twelve disasters this book covers in gripping detail. The key events which led to each disaster are analysed, along with the impact that the disaster had on the fishing industry and local communities, and the changes in laws and legislation which were put in place to prevent such tragedies from happening again. Several different types of fishing disasters are examined with incidents involving trawlers, dredgers, shellfish pickers, seal hunters and recreational anglers all being covered. This book reveals exactly why commercial fishing is the world's most dangerous peacetime occupation.
£18.70
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Admiral Sir Reginald Bacon
a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.
£21.25
Amberley Publishing Seas of Plenty
Book SynopsisExplore the fascinating story of England's emergence as a major maritime trading power, from 1400 to 1540.
£21.25
Pen & Sword Books Ltd British Naval Intelligence through the Twentieth
Book SynopsisWhen published in 2020 it offered the first comprehensive account of how intelligence influenced and sustained British naval power from the mid nineteenth century through to the end of the Cold War.The book describes why and how intelligence was collected and assesses its real impact on policy and operations. It confirms that naval intelligence was critical to Britain's survival and ultimate victory in the two World Wars but significantly reappraises its role, highlighting the importance of communications intelligence to an effective blockade in the First, and according Ultra less dominance compared to other sources in the Second. It reveals that coverage of Germany before 1914 and of the three Axis powers in the interwar period was more comprehensive and effective than previously suggested; and while British power declined rapidly after 1945, the book shows how intelligence helped the Royal Navy to remain a significant global force for the rest of the twentieth century, and in submarine warfare, especially in the second half of the Cold War. This compelling history of naval intelligence, now in a new and revised paperback edition, will appeal to a wide body of naval historians and enthusiasts interested in the crucial part it played on naval policy and operations. **WINNER** of the Mountbatten Maritime Literary Award, 2021**Highly Commended** by the Society for Nautical Research in their award for the 2021 Anderson Medal . Named as the Naval Review's **Book of the Quarter.**'**British Naval Intelligence** is an unprecendented and important addition to our knowledge.' Professor Gwythian Prins'An original and masterful history of British naval intelligence. Remarkably valuable, and in many ways the definitive, addition to the serious study of naval history.'Captain Stephen Maffeo'A remarkable book which for the first time puts intelligence in its place and tells us what happened and why. For any modern naval officer, gives a systematic picture of naval warfare in a way not done by anybody else.'Rear Admiral James Goldrick
£18.75
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Why the Titanic was Doomed
Book SynopsisHere is a new and unique look at the circumstances which came together to send Titanic to the bottom of the North Atlantic with the loss of 1,500 passengers.
£17.00
Amberley Publishing The Mayflower in Britain
Book SynopsisCelebrating the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower, Graham Taylor focuses on the ship's place in British history and its fascinating history tied to the city of London.
£17.00
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Ship Spotters Guide
Book SynopsisA compact guide to 40 of the most iconic ships that have shaped warfare from the Ancient world to today.Since the days of the Ancient Greeks, naval ships of all sizes have revolutionized warfare. From the Viking longship, pirate ships and super dreadnoughts to today's nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers, naval warfare has proved to be an essential component of military forces across the world.The Ship Spotter's Guide provides essential information on 40 iconic ships, using detailed profile artwork to illustrate and aid recognition, as well as specification boxes to provide all the technical details.Table of ContentsIntroduction/ Ancient Warships/ The Norse Longship/ Warships of the Far East/ Tudor Warships/ The Spanish Galleon/ Warships of the Anglo-Dutch War/ Pirate Ships/ Warships of the War of Independence/ Napoleonic Ship-of-the-Line/ Ironclads/ Union Monitors/ River Gunboats/ Commerce Raiders/ British Dreadnoughts/ German Dreadnoughts/ Super Dreadnoughts/ Austro-Hungarian Battleships/ Battlecruisers/ Destroyers/ Submarines/ Kriegsmarine U-boats/ German Battleships/ British Coastal Forces/ German Cruisers/ German Destroyers/ Japanese Carriers/ American Carriers/ Allied Submarines/ Japanese Battleships/ British Battleships/ American Destroyers/ American Fast Battleships/ Japanese Heavy Cruisers/ Italian Battleships/ British Cruisers/ Japanese Destoyers/ Vietnam Riverine Craft/ American Cold War Carriers/ Nuclear Submarines/ American Modern Super Carriers
£8.16
Pen & Sword Books Ltd British Battleships of the Victorian Era
Book SynopsisThis is a companion volume to Friedman s highly successful _British Battleship 1906 1946_ and completes his study of the Royal Navy s capital ships. Beginning with the earliest installation of steam machinery in ships of the line, the book traces the technological revolution that saw the introduction of iron hulls, armour plate, shell-firing guns and the eventual abandonment of sail as auxiliary propulsion. This hectic development finally settled down to a widely approved form of pre-dreadnought battleship, built in large numbers and culminating in the _King Edward VII_ class. As with all of his work, Friedman is concerned to explain why as well as how and when these advances were made, and locates British ship design firmly within the larger context of international rivalries, domestic politics and economic constraints. The result is a sophisticated and enlightening overview of the Royal Navy s battle fleet in the latter half of the nineteenth century. It is also well illustrated a comprehensive gallery of photographs with in-depth captions is accompanied by specially commissioned plans of the important classes by A D Baker III, and a colour section featuring the original Admiralty draughts, including a spectacular double gatefold. Norman Friedman is one of the most highly regarded of all naval writers, with an avid following, so for anyone with an interest in warships, the publication of this work will be a major event.
£40.00
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Battleship Warspite: Detailed in the Original
Book SynopsisThe technical details of British warships were recorded in a set of plans produced by the builders on completion of every ship. Known as the as fitted general arrangements, these drawings documented the exact appearance and fitting of the ship as it entered service. They were very large more than 12 feet long for capital ships highly detailed, annotated and labelled, and drawn with exquisite skill in multi-coloured inks and washes. Intended to provide a permanent reference for the Admiralty and the dockyards, they represent the acme of the draughtsman s art. Today these plans form part of the incomparable collection of the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich, which is using the latest scanning technology to make digital copies of the highest quality. This book is the first of a series based entirely on these draughts which will depict famous warships in an unprecedented degree of detail complete sets in full colour, with many close-ups and enlargements that make every aspect clear and comprehensible. Extensive captions point the reader to important features to be found in the plans, and an introduction covers the background to the design. The celebrated battleship _Warspite_ is an ideal introduction to this new series an apparently familiar subject, but given this treatment the result is an anatomy that will fascinate every warship enthusiast and ship modeller.Trade ReviewRobert Brown's Battleship Warspite: Detailed in the Original Builder's Plans is an exciting new addition to my naval bookshelf. It is highly recommended for naval professionals and interested naval enthusiasts. The next books in this series Cruiser Birmingham and Aircraft Carrier Victorious should also be equally rewarding." --Australian Naval Institute "This is an incomparable reference work, absolutely ideal for serious enthusiasts and model makers." --Warship
£24.00
Pen & Sword Books Ltd 1545: Who Sank the Mary Rose?
Book SynopsisThe raising of the _Mary Rose_ in 1982 was a remarkable feat of archaeology and her subsequent preservation and display at Portsmouth a triumph of technical skill and imagination. She is more than a relic, however. She has a story to tell, and her sinking in the Solent in 1545, when under attack by the French, and the reasons for it, have intrigued historians for generations. With the benefit of access to her remains, archaeologists have been able to slowly unravel the mystery of her foundering on a calm summer's day in July 1545. This new book by one of the country's leading experts on the _Mary Rose_ contains much that is published for the first time. It has the first full account of the battle in which Henry VIII's warship was sunk, and tells the stories of the English and French admirals. It examines the design and construction of the ship and how she was used, and develops themes begun when he was earlier commissioned by the Mary Rose Trust to write the multi-volume history of the ship. He shows for the first time conclusively that the French fleet arrived unexpectedly to seize the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth a day later than was once believed, that the many bodies found in the wreck reflect her at action stations, and that the ship had had an extra deck added and was therefore more unstable than was previously thought. Finally, the author makes it clear who was responsible for the loss of the _Mary Rose_, after describing what happened onboard, deck by deck, in her last moments afloat. The fascinating revelation will intrigue the general reader as well as the historian and archaeologist and the book is set to become the last word on the career of this most famous of ships.
£24.00
The History Press Ltd 11:40: Analysis of Evasive Manoeuvres & Damage
Book SynopsisFrom the moment the iceberg was spotted to the moment Titanic’s fate was realised, it was a race against time for the 2,208 souls on board.At 11:40 p.m. on 14 April 1912, Titanic collided with an iceberg in the middle of the North Atlantic. Less than three hours later, it had disappeared completely beneath the waves.From the second the iceberg hove into view, the ship was on a collision course with destiny, those on board embarking on a race against time to inspect the damage and determine their fates.11:40: Analysis of Evasive Manoeuvres & Damage Assessment on RMS Titanic is a comprehensive new study that breaks down and forensically analyses every event on that fateful night, order by order, moment by moment. With the backing of an exhaustive collection of both historical and modern data, along with over twenty years of personal research, Brad Payne separates fact from myth, revealing the truth about what really happened on board Titanic during its critical last moments.Trade ReviewSerious Titanic researchers will welcome [this] book as being an important contribution to the subject. -- George Behe * Titanic expert, author and historian *This book explains those fateful manoeuvres that decided her fate. I have never seen a book so thoroughly go through these actions and the actions that followed the fateful collision. I enjoyed this book, and I think you will too. -- Cameron Houseman * Titanic researcher and wreck historian *
£24.00
Whittles Publishing The British Lighthouse Trail: A Regional Guide
Book SynopsisLighthouses have been used as aids to maritime navigation for centuries. They are highly recognisable and beloved features of our coastline and waterways, treasured by communities and captivating visitors. But how many are there and is it really possible to visit them all? The British Lighthouse Trail is the only book of its kind to provide a comprehensive listing of all lighthouses in Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and Channel Islands accompanied by practical advice on how to reach them. The author, an avid pharologist, set off on a quest in 2012 to visit all lighthouses around the British coastline only to find that there were many more lighthouses to be discovered. This comprehensive book is the result of further extensive research and significant travel. Over 600 lighthouses are featured - from the perilous beauty of Shetland's Muckle Flugga Lighthouse to the elegant serenity of Jersey's Corbiere Lighthouse. Complete with helpful maps highlighting the location of every lighthouse in each region and colour photography of a broad selection of our nation's most weird and wonderful aids to navigation throughout, this book is an indispensable guide to visiting and seeing some of our nation's most majestic, historical and isolated buildings. Each listing features a description of the structure, its light characteristic as well as any notable designers. Access information offers the best ways to reach or see each lighthouse, and whether it is possible to explore inside the tower. Nearby or related places of interest, such as other notable aids to navigation and relocated lighthouse optics, are also included. Experience the secluded joy of visiting tidal islands, watch waves lapping against some of the most remote rock structures, and feel the magic of walking in the footsteps of the lighthouse keepers inside the towers. This book will guide you on countless journeys never to be forgotten.Trade Review`...is a very useful and comprehensive guide for planning visits to lighthouses in the UK. Looking through the book I was amazed at how many lighthouses I had missed in previous visits to regions in the UK. I shall certainly be buying the book for my next trip!' LAMP------------------'...will in future be accompanying us on all our travels ...the book comes as a sturdy paperback that feels like it will survive hard handling and exposure to the elements and the end result really is a great book about lighthouses'. Undiscovered Scotland------------------'...Truly, a monumental work in its own right. ...A real treat for the serious lighthouse "bagger"...this important addition to the world of pharology!' Bellrock.org-------------------'...a thoroughly-researched reference book, detailing virtually everything you'd ever want to know about a particular lighthouse. The attention to detail is among its main selling points. From each lighthouse's general appearance and accessibility to best vantage points for viewing and interesting facts about their unique light patterns, this book is a must for lighthouse aficionados...this is a delightful book for avid lighthouse enthusiasts and anyone who wants to discover a little bit more about these important structures watching over our oceans and seas'. Travellowdown.com-------------------'...Walkers keen on maritime history may be interested in The British Lighthouse Trail, a guide to all the lighthouses in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and The Channel Islands'. Strider Magazine------------------'...is detailed and informative with photos of each light....It is an incredible piece of research which has been thoroughly studied and laid out to make it accessible for the reader...would make a great coffee table addition for any Shetland home'. Shetland Life------------------'...this very handy guide for existing and aspiring pharologists provides vital visiting details for no fewer than 612 lighthouses...conveys the incredible variety of lighthouses in British waters...and the frequently beautiful locations in which they are sited...delivers an infectious appreciation of these often stunning structures'. Nautilus International
£18.04
Dived Up Publications Diving the Thistlegorm: The Ultimate Guide to a
Book SynopsisDiving the Thistlegorm is a unique in-depth look at one of the world's best-loved shipwrecks, the World War II British Merchant Navy steamship, featuring award-winning underwater photography. In this highly visual guide, cutting edge photographic methods enable views of the famous wreck and its fascinating cargo which were previously impossible. Sitting upright in 30m of clear, inviting Red Sea waters, the ship is packed with the materials of war. Largely complete lorries, trucks, motorbikes, aircraft spares and airfield equipment are crammed into the forward holds and the remains of other vehicles lie amongst boxes of ammunition in the exploded aft holds. Often referred to as an underwater museum, the wreck fascinates visitors for dive after dive. The book is the culmination of decades of experience, archaeological and photographic expertise, many hours underwater, months of computer processing time, and days spent researching and verifying the history of the ship and its cargo. For the first time, Diving the Thistlegorm brings the rich and complex contents of the wreck together, identifying individual items and illustrating where they can be found. As the expert team behind the underwater photography, reconstructions and explanations take you through the wreck in incredible detail, you will discover not only what has been learned but also what mysteries are still to be solved. Limited run of hardbacks.Trade Review'Goes further than any previous guidebook in detailing the current condition of the wreck and its incredible cargo of wartime artefacts, from rifles to railway engines... There's so much to admire here - the complementary use of traditional photography alongside the large scale models and orthophotos afford the reader a way of looking at a wreck that could barely be imagined a decade ago... I recommend this superb book to anyone with an interest on the subject.'- SCUBA magazine.; 'A brilliant in depth guide to the wreck and all it's facets, all illustrated by superb photos and graphics.'-Scubaverse.com; 'Other books have been written about the Thistlegorm, but as befits the wreck this one is probably the most visually arresting ever to go to print... a remarkable achievement, and clearly a labour of love by a group of professionals smitten by this wreck... stunning colour image after stunning colour image leaps out from every page'- BritishDiver.co.uk; 'A detailed, thorough book with excellent images both stills and 3D photogrammetry. It is a really good read'--Divelog Australia; 'The most comprehensive guide to one of the world's greatest shipwrecks'- Emad Khalil, Alexandria University (from the Foreword)Table of ContentsFOREWORD by Emad Khalil, Alexandria University. INTRODUCTION - About the wreck; Wreck under threat; About this guide. HISTORY - Construction and build; Journey and sinking; Rediscovery and contemporary details. GUIDE - Bow to Midships; Upper Deck Holds; Hold No. 1 - Upper Deck; Hold No. 2 - Upper Deck; Lower Deck Holds; Hold No. 1 - Lower Deck; Hold No. 2 - Lower Deck; Shared Entrance to Hold No. 2 and Hold No. 3; Remains of Hold No. 4; Hold No. 5; Stern; Surrounding Seabed; Marine Life. DOCUMENTING THE WRECK - Photographing the Thistlegorm; Photographing the Vehicles; Big Vistas; Photogrammetry; 360 Degree Video; Wrecks at Risk - Future Work. Glossary. About the Authors. Index.
£28.00
Dived Up Publications Expedition Britannic: Diving Titanic's Sister
Book SynopsisWhat does it take to dive Titanic's sister ship? This huge vessel from a bygone golden age of ocean travel lies at over 100 metres (330') below the surface. It is not a dive for the faint-hearted. Requiring meticulous planning, precise execution and good conditions, only the most capable technical divers will ever experience it. Even then, tragically some do not make it back to the surface. Expedition Britannic is the story of the May 2019 mission to dive the Olympic-class liner-turned-hospital ship, HMHS Britannic. Sunk near the Greek island of Kea during World War I, she will only be ticked off the bucket list of relatively few of the most dedicated deep divers. Steeped in history, the opportunity to see a largely intact near-replica of the world's most famous ocean liner makes it an ultimate dive to aspire to. Deep wreck photography specialist Rick Ayrton is one such diver. Assisted by expedition leader Scott Roberts, he takes us through the planning, logistics and preparation essential for scaling one of the pinnacles of wreck diving. Then we explore the wreck with him - going deeper than most divers will in their lifetimes to photograph this once great ship - and make new discoveries.Trade Review'A cracking book that will be of interest to any diver, and many others. From my perspective, if I need to persuade anyone why I love deep diving then I’ll simply hand them a copy and wait for them to ask how they can sign up.'— SCUBA magazine; 'Expedition Britannic brings armchair divers closer than we’ve ever been to this magnificent wreck and perhaps will inspire one or two to get out of their armchair and experience it for themselves.'— Encyclopaedia Titanica; 'Done extremely well... The writing is crisp, well-organised and doesn't get bogged down in needless detail.... it is readily accessible to any level of diver... [and] the photography from depth is way beyond what we usually expect'-- Diver magazine; 'Expedition Britannic will appeal to recreational divers who look up (or rather, down) in awe at our technical cousins; it will appeal to technical divers wishing to see how it was done; and it will certainly appeal to White Star line aficionados who want a fresh look at how Britannic appears today.'- British Diver; 'Incredible... the images are stunning. But the really impressive achievement is to make it accessible for non-technical divers whilst also having all the detail that more experienced ones will want'- Dominic Robinson, Officer in Charge Joint Service Sub Aqua Diving Centre / BSAC Technical Chief Examiner; 'Rick Ayrton's photography is a marvellous way to help visualise one of the great diving treasures and archaeological monuments lying at the bottom of the Kea Channel, effectively helping to make the Britannic accessible to the host of divers and maritime historians who may never have the privilege of experiencing the thrill or excitement of visiting the wreck in person. Hand in hand with a revealing narration of what it actually takes to get there in the first place, along with details of the day-to-day problems and hazards which can so easily occur, it can only help to prepare any dive team contemplating their own visit to the 'Mount Everest' of technical diving.'- Simon Mills, maritime historian, owner of HMHS Britannic; 'Rick's scooter driven photographic epic is a fresh take on a wreck that many of us are familiar with, but are also distant from. You see things from a new viewpoint, the whole fore deck, the propellers from below, a new angle showing there is plenty of life left in "the old girl". Nice one!'-- Kieran Hatton, www.divingindepth.co.uk; 'I will never forget Rick's photographs. It was what we were waiting for every day, after every dive'- Yannis Tzavelakos (from the Foreword).Table of ContentsForeword; Introduction; A Brief History. PART 1 - PREPARATION: Build Up; Arrival; SS Burdigala; Dive Planning. PART 2 - THE BIG DIVE: Britannic; Stern; Midships; Time in the Blue; Final Dive. Epilogue. Appendix 1 - Expedition Standard Operating Procedures; Appendix 2 - Underwater Photography; Glossary; Acknowledgements.
£21.25
Red Herring Publishing Curlew Coast: Diversions on maritime Suffolk
Book Synopsis
£14.85
Birlinn Ltd Harvies Dyke
Book Synopsis
£14.99
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Japanese Combined Fleet 194142
Book SynopsisLaunching Osprey''s new Fleet series, this is a spectacularly illustrated, concise and comprehensive account of the Imperial Japanese Navy''s striking force at the height of its power.The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) entered the Pacific War as one of the most formidable navies in the world, and its combat power was concentrated into one force, the Combined Fleet. In the months that followed Pearl Harbor it enjoyed an unrivaled string of victories, shattering American, British, Australian, and Dutch naval forces. This period of expansion and constant victories ended at the Battle of Midway, after which the Combined Fleet was forced onto the defensive. In this book, Mark Stille draws on his decades of IJN research to explain what made the Combined Fleet the fighting force that it was. Packed with superb original artwork, explanatory 3D diagrams and maps, it examines the fleet''s doctrine, innovative tactics and powerful warships. It also details the qualities and importance of ITable of ContentsTHE FLEET’S PURPOSE Background to War Pre-War Plans Early War Strategy FLEET FIGHTING POWER The Ships Technical Factors HOW THE FLEET OPERATED Organization Command and Control Doctrine Intelligence and Deception Logistics and Facilities COMBAT AND ANALYSIS The Fleet in Combat Analysis FURTHER READING INDEX
£14.39
The History Press Ltd Olympic Titanic Britannic
Book SynopsisAt the beginning of the twentieth century, competition between the North Atlantic shipping lines was fierce. While Britain responded to the commercial threat posed by the growing German merchant marine, there was also rivalry between the great Cunard Line and its chief competitor, the White Star Line.
£21.25
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Seamanship in the Age of Sail
Book SynopsisNumerous successful reprints of contemporary works on rigging and seamanship indicate the breadth of interest in the lost art of handling square-rigged ships. Modelmakers, marine painters and enthusiasts need to know not only how the ships were rigged but how much sail was set in each condition of wind and sea, how the various manoeuvres were carried out, and the intricacies of operations like reefing sails or ''catting'' an anchor. Contemporary treatises such as Brady''s Kedge Anchor in the USA or Darcy Lever''s Sheet Anchor in Britain tell only half the story, for they were training manuals intended to be used at sea in conjunction with practical experiences and often only cover officially-condoned practices. This book, on the other hand, is a modern, objective appraisal of the evidence, concerned with the actualities as much as the theory. The author has studied virtually every manual published about seamanship over a period of nearly four centuries. This gives the book a completelyTrade ReviewOne of the most definitive accounts of the remarkable development of seamanship techniques between 1600 and 1860. * Nautilus Telegraph *
£42.50
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC German High Seas Fleet 191418
Book SynopsisA superbly illustrated new account of how Germany''s High Seas Fleet was built, operated and fought, as it challenged the world''s most powerful navy in World War I.Seven years before the outbreak of World War I, the Imperial German Navy rebranded its Home Fleet as the Hochseeflotte, or High Seas Fleet. It was a force designed to take on the Royal Navy, then the world's most powerful, and for the next four years the North Sea would be their battleground.Drawing on extensive research, Angus Konstam offers the reader a concise, fully illustrated account of how the entire High Seas Fleet was designed and built, how it operated, and how it fought. The fleet was a modern, balanced force of dreadnought battleships, battlecruisers, cruisers and torpedo boats, using Zeppelins and U-boats for reconnaissance. The ultimate test between them came in May 1916, when they clashed at Jutland.Packed with spectacular original artwork, maps, 3D diagrams and archive photos, it Table of ContentsTHE FLEET'S PURPOSE The Kaiser's 'Luxury Fleet' The Risk Theory Force Balancing FLEET FIGHTING POWER The Ships Technology Light Forces HOW THE FLEET OPERATED Organization Command and Control Communications and Intelligence Bases and Logistics COMBAT AND ANALYSIS The Fleet in Combat Analysis FURTHER READING
£14.39
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC DDay Fleet 1944 American Sector
Book SynopsisA fully illustrated study of how the US-led half of the Normandy invasion fleet was composed, commanded, and how it fought, from D-Day until the fall of Cherbourg.The D-Day landings and their aftermath were among the most complex and important naval operations in history. With the target beaches divided into two areas of responsibility one US-commanded, one British this armada launched a month-long operation to first support the landings, then to protect, supply, and support the troops ashore, as they fought to expand their toehold in occupied Europe.In this book, illustrated throughout with 3D diagrams, photos, maps and dramatic artwork, naval historian Brian Lane Herder explains how the US Navy-led Western Task Force was built, and outlines its operations off Normandy during June 1944. It covers this multinational fleet's organization, assembly, and training, as well as the intelligence and logistics picture, and explores its actions that were so crucial t
£14.39
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Sea Peoples of the Bronze Age Mediterranean
Book SynopsisSea Peoples of the Bronze Age and Mediterranean features the latest historical and archaeological research into the mysterious and powerful confederations of raiders who troubled the Eastern Mediterranean in the last half of the Bronze Age. Research into the origins of the so-called Shardana, Shekelesh, Danuna, Lukka, Peleset and other peoples is a detective ''work in progress''. However, it is known that they both provided the Egyptian pharaohs with mercenaries, and were listed among Egypt''s enemies and invaders. They contributed to the collapse of several civilizations through their dreaded piracy and raids, and their waves of attacks were followed by major migrations that changed the face of this region, from modern Libya and Cyprus to the Aegean, mainland Greece, Lebanon and Anatolian Turkey. Drawing on carved inscriptions and papyrus documents - mainly from Egypt - dating from the 15th-11th centuries BC, as well as carved reliefs of Medinet Habu, this title reconstructs the formiTable of ContentsIntroduction: who were the Sea Peoples? /Chronology /The historical sources: the Byblos obelisk; the Armana letters; Rameses II and the Battle of Kadesh inscriptions; the Libyan despatch to Merneptah; the Medinet Habu reliefs of Rameses III; the Onomastican of Amenemope /The different groups: Shardana/ Sherden, Danuna, Karkisha & Lukka, Peleset, Shekelesh/ Tjekker, Sea Wheshesh /Clothing & military equipment: headdress, helmets; corselets; shields; spears & javelins; swords & daggers; chariots /Military organization: chariots and infantry; siege warfare; naval warfare /Campaigns: as pirates and Egyptian mercenaries, 14th century BC; the Kadesh campaign, 1285 BC; first Egyptian campaign, 1207 BC; fall of the Hittite Empire, c.1200 BC; the War of the 8th Year, 1184 BC; Libya, 1180 BC; Western Mediterranean, c.1100 BC /Sites, museums & bibliography /Index
£13.49
Short Books Ltd Titanic: Minute by Minute
Book Synopsis2.20am on 15th April 1912, the Titanic is plunging 12,000 feet to the ocean floor. Machinery, coal, crystal goblets, pianos and jewellery all tumbled through the dark water. Hundreds of passengers and crew remained trapped below decks - hundreds more would perish on the surface. This is the definitive chronology of the Titanic's final hours, offering readers a real-time experience of one of the greatest dramas of twentieth century history.
£10.44
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Tudor Warship Mary Rose
Book SynopsisThe great warship the Mary Rose was built between 1509 and 1511 and served 34 years in Henry VIII's navy before catastrophically sinking in the Battle of the Solent on 19 July 1545. A fighting platform and sailing ship, she was the pride of the Tudor fleet. Yet her memory passed into undeserved oblivion until the remains of this magnificent flagship were dramatically raised to the surface in 1982 after 437 years at the bottom of the Solent. Part of the bestselling Conway Anatomy of The Ship series, Tudor Warship Mary Rose provides the finest possible graphical representation of the Mary Rose. Illustrated with a complete set of scale drawings, this book contains technical plans as well as explanatory views, all with fully descriptive keys. Douglas McElvogue uses archaeological techniques to trace the development and eventful career of Henry VIII's gunship, while placing it in the context of longer-term advances in ship construction.This volume feTrade ReviewContaining more interpretation of the hull and working of the ship than any publication to date, this book includes a huge mount of very detailed historical, iconographic and archaeological information. The author has interpreted the recovered structure to make it fit the Mary Rose illustrated by Anthony Anthony in 1546. The numerous scale drawings are augmented by technical illustrations with a descriptive index and explanatory views. The number of concepts covered in detail is impressive; all aspects of the ship and how she worked and fought are included, together with a history of the ship and description of life on board. For anyone interested in how the Mary Rose worked, it is a must * Alexzandra Hildred, Archaeologist and Curator of Ordnance at The Mary Rose Trust *Tudor Warship Mary Rose is a unique insight into the architecture and construction of the iconic ship of the Tudor period * Quarterdeck *Tudor Warship Mary Rose provides valuable graphical representation of Mary Rose. Technical plans are supported with copies of paintings and artefacts as well as explanatory views. * Trinity House Flash magazine *Table of ContentsSECTION 1 Preface 1. Commissioning the Mary Rose 2. Building the Mary Rose 3. Fitting out the Mary Rose 4. Arming and fighting the Mary Rose 5. Manning the Mary Rose 6. Life on board the Mary Rose 7. Seamanship and ship handling 8. The history of the Mary Rose 9. The loss of the Mary Rose SECTION 2 10. The drawings SECTION 3 11. The Mary Rose project 12. The significance of the Mary Rose
£17.09
Penguin Books Ltd Pursuit of Victory The Life and Achievement of
Book SynopsisHoratio Nelson was a shrewd political operator who charmed and impressed political leaders. He was a difficult subordinate, only happy when completely in command, and capable of great ruthlessness. This biography takes a look at Nelson's status as a hero, explaining how Nelson achieved such extraordinary success.
£16.99
Oxford University Press Inc World War II at Sea
Book SynopsisAuthor of Lincoln and His Admirals (winner of the Lincoln Prize), The Battle of Midway (Best Book of the Year, Military History Quarterly), and Operation Neptune, (winner of the Samuel Eliot Morison Award for Naval Literature), Craig L. Symonds has established himself as one of the finest naval historians at work today. World War II at Sea represents his crowning achievement: a complete narrative of the naval war and all of its belligerents, on all of the world''s oceans and seas, between 1939 and 1945. Opening with the 1930 London Conference, Symonds shows how any limitations on naval warfare would become irrelevant before the decade was up, as Europe erupted into conflict once more and its navies were brought to bear against each other. World War II at Sea offers a global perspective, focusing on the major engagements and personalities and revealing both their scale and their interconnection: the U-boat attack on Scapa Flow and the Battle of the Atlantic; the miracle evacuation from Trade ReviewWell-written and often original narrative... a very accessible operational and strategic history. * Eric Grove, The Times Literary Supplement *Any reader, whether general or specialist, can pick it up, become immersed in its flowing narrative and energetic prose, and come away with a good general understanding of the war at sea, and the central importance of the maritime dimension to the Anglo-American victory in the West. * Nick Hewitt, Military History *This truly monumental work really does what it says on the label ... A military work of the first order. * Steve Craggs, Northern Echo *Craig L. Symonds has produced a magisterial volume covering the conflict at sea... The multi-award winning Professor Symonds has shown why he is one of the world's leading naval historians in this book... Highly recommended for those who want to know why the sea was so important from 1939 to 1945 and to undertstand the mechanics behind naval operations. * Paul Donnelley *In World War II at Sea, Mr. Symonds does for the naval struggle what Martin Gilbert did for the conflict on land in his The Second World War. A thoroughly enjoyable read, World War II at Sea sweeps its glass across the worlds oceans and deftly recounts battles that shaped the course of history's greatest war. * Wall Street Journal *Craig Symonds is a seaman and historian of the first order. His telling of this Navy Saga is as vast as the oceans themselves and as gloriously detailed as were the battles for them. * Tom Hanks *A scholarly yet extremely accessible work that will be of value to anyone interested in World War II; this will likely be a new standard on the topic. * Library Journal *Sweeping, majestic, and brilliant are the words that come to mind reading World War II at Sea by distinguished naval historian Craig Symonds. This will be the definitive single volume treatment of the enormously critical naval contributions to winning World War II. * Admiral James Stavridis, USN (Ret), Supreme Allied Commander at NATO 2009-2013, Dean of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University *World War II at Sea somehow manages to distill this entire naval history into a single volume without missing a beat. How Craig Symonds accomplished this while keeping the story interesting and the narrative engaging is a fine feat. This book is a treat! * John Prados, author of Islands of Destiny: The Solomons Campaign and the Eclipse of the Rising Sun *Craig L. Symonds's World War at Sea is a wonderfully ample and invaluable single-volume naval history of the all-hands-on-deck 1939 to 1945 global conflict. All major naval engagements are concisely and brilliantly recounted here. And there are fine assessments of military leaders like Ernest King and Isoroku Yamamoto. My admiration for this book is boundless! * Douglas Brinkley, Professor of History, Rice University, co-author of Driven Patriot: The Life and Times of James Forrestal *Readers will welcome this fine account from a highly qualified guide... A solid storyteller and naval scholar, Symonds mixes politics, strategy, sea battle fireworks, technical details, and personal anecdotes to deliver one of the better single-volume histories of the naval portion of WWII. * Kirkus *World War II at Sea is an effective, well-written account of the war above, on, and below the oceans that draws on both classic and very recent writing to synthesize a single narrative of the entire conflictno small feat. Even experienced readers will find valuable insights about participants, such as Finland and Italy, that are generally neglected. For anyone seeking a one-stop-shop, up-to-date naval history of the period, World War II at Sea is the book to read. * America in WWII *Table of ContentsPrologue: London, 1930 PART I. THE EUROPEAN WAR 1. Unterseeboote 2. Panzerschiffe 3. Norway 4. France Falls 5. The Regia Marina 6. The War on Trade, I 7. The Bismarck PART II. THE WAR WIDENS 8. The Rising Sun 9. A Two Ocean Navy 10. Infamy 11. Rampage 12. The War on Trade, II PART III. WATERSHED 13. Stemming the Tide 14. Two Beleaguered Islands 15. A Two Ocean War 16. The Tipping Point 17. The War on Trade, III PART IV. ALLIED COUNTERATTACK 18. Airplanes and Convoys 19. Husky 20. Twilight of Two Navies 21. Breaking the Shield 22. Large Slow Target PART V. RECKONING 23. D-Day 24. Seeking the Decisive Battle 25. Leyte Gulf 26. The Noose Tightens 27. Denouement Epilogue: Tokyo Bay, 1945 Afterword
£999.99
Penguin Books Ltd A New Voyage Round the World
Book Synopsis''A roaring tale ... remains as vivid and exciting today as it was on publication in 1697'' GuardianThe pirate and adventurer William Dampier circumnavigated the globe three times, and took notes wherever he went. This is his frank, vivid account of his buccaneering sea voyages around the world, from the Caribbean to the Pacific and East Indies. Filled with accounts of raids, escapes, wrecks and storms, it also contains precise observations of people, places, animals and food (including the first English accounts of guacamole, mango chutney and chopsticks). A bestseller on publication, this unique record of the colonial age influenced Robinson Crusoe, Gulliver''s Travels and consequently the whole of English literature.Edited with an Introduction by Nicholas Thomas
£11.69
The History Press Ltd The SS Terra Nova 18841943
Book SynopsisThe life story of the ship that carried Scott to the AntarcticTrade ReviewRichly illustrated book … a pleasure to own.Splendid reading … in the heroic nature of high latitude navigation.
£17.00
The History Press Ltd Henry Vs Navy
Book SynopsisAgincourt is amongst the greatest victories in British history. Henry V’s Navy is about the men, ships and technology that got him thereTrade ReviewA fascinating and informative account... -- Chris May
£11.69
The History Press Ltd The Noble Boatbuilders of Fraserburgh
Book SynopsisThe first history of a well-known and prolific Scottish boatbuilder
£17.00
The History Press Ltd Fishing Boats of Scotland
Book SynopsisIllustrates the vessels that played a past in the fishing industry in Scotland, with 200 old photographs accompanied by informative captions.
£13.49
The History Press Ltd Greek Passenger Liners
Book SynopsisIn the early 1950s it seemed as if Greek shipping companies were springing up everywhere. For a country almost unknown as a passenger ship-owning state, the likes of the Greek Line, Chandris and Epirotiki burst onto the scene, often using second hand tonnage and ships acquired from the Western European fleets that were being updated. The lines soon took advantage of the mass emigration from Europe to Australia and New Zealand as well as cruising, which was then in its infancy. Although many of the Greek lines such as Royal Olympic Cruises are now gone, the likes of Chandris still survives today as Celebrity Cruises. Bill Miller, the noted maritime historian, brings together a collection of images of his favourite Greek liners and tells of the history of the Greek fleets that made the world of cruising so exciting in the last half century.
£999.99
The History Press Ltd SS Normandie
Book SynopsisThe world of ocean liners, those built for French lines were the epitome of style and panache, and SS Normandie perhaps the pinnacle of this.
£21.25
Pen & Sword Books Ltd The Crimean War at Sea
Book SynopsisToo often historical writing on the Russian War of 1854-56 focuses narrowly on the land campaign fought in the Crimean peninsula in the Black Sea. The wider war waged at sea by the British and French navies against the Russians is ignored. The allied navies aimed to strike at Russian interests anywhere in the world where naval force could be brought to bear and as a result campaigns were waged in the Baltic, the Black Sea, the White Sea, on the Russian Pacific coast and in the Sea of Azoff. Yet it is the land campaign in the Crimea that shapes our understanding of events. In this graphic and original study, Peter Duckers seeks to set the record straight. He shows how these neglected naval campaigns were remarkably successful, in contrast to the wretched failures that beset the British army on land. Allied warships ranged across Russian waters sinking shipping, disrupting trade, raiding ports, bombarding fortresses, destroying vast quantities of stores and shelling coastal towns. The scale and intensity of the naval operations embarked upon during the war are astonishing, and little appreciated, and this new book offers the first overall survey of them.
£14.24
Pen & Sword Books Ltd HMS London
Book SynopsisHistory of the Ship told through the accounts of those who served on her.
£15.29
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Clydebank Battlecruisers
Book SynopsisA volume of stunning shipyard plate photos, most previously unpublished. Devoted to the most popular ship type of the Great War. Top of the range production combined with affordable price.
£15.29
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Empire Javelin DDay Assault Ship
Book Synopsis_Empire Javelin_ an American-built LSI (Landing Ship, Infantry) in Royal Navy service, played an important role on D-Day. She carried A Company 116th RCT (the famous Bedford' Boys') across the Channel and her landing craft put them ashore on Dog Green sector as part of the initial assault or suicide wave', onto Omaha beach. In telling her story, Philip Kay-Bujak does justice to the contribution of the Royal Navy at Omaha Beach, which has been underappreciated in the past (when directing Saving Private Ryan, Stephen Spielberg notoriously said there was no British involvement). Drawing heavily on first-hand accounts, the author covers the actions of the ship herself and of the landing craft launched from her in great detail. One third of her landing craft were lost in the first wave alone. He also reveals _Empire Javelin's_ earlier life, from design and construction, through launch and training. Similarly, he relates her service after that fateful day in June 1944, when she continued t
£21.25
