Maritime history Books

Book SynopsisDiscover the rich royal history of the area where Henry VIII built his first tournament ground, Elizabeth I took daily walks in the Park and Charles II raced early royal yachts against his brother. In 2012, to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen's Diamond Jubilee, Greenwich officially became a Royal Borough. It was just the third in London, and the honour recognised centuries of royal connections that have shaped the area's history. From late Saxon times to the present day Greenwich has been the backdrop to many notable royal events, from the birth of Henry VIII, to the first public engagement of the future Elizabeth II. Royal Greenwich traces these links and reveals how, through architecture, pageantry, patronage and more, Britain's monarchs have been the creators of historic Greenwich as it exists today.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe image of the pirate never fails to capture the imagination. The cut-throat sea robbers of history who plundered richly laden merchant ships are legendary. The likes of Blackbeard, Captain Kidd and Henry Morgan are romanticised and celebrated in popular culture. But fiction has taken the place of fact. Piracy was more brutal and rebellious than some of the best artistic depictions let on and in reality, few know the truth about this ruthless trade. What is the difference between a buccaneer and a corsair? Did pirates really bury their treasure? Is piracy still a threat to shipping today? Pirates: Fact & Fiction brings together the National Maritime Museum's rich collection of flags, weapons, maps and fine artworks to explain the intriguing history of the pirate trade. It is the first port of call for anyone keen to separate the fact from the fiction.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe archipelagic kingdoms of Man and the Isles that flourished from the last quarter of the eleventh century down to the middle of the thirteenth century represent two forgotten kingdoms of the medieval British Isles. They were ruled by powerful individuals, with unquestionably regnal status, who interacted in a variety of ways with rulers of surrounding lands and who left their footprint on a wide range of written documents and upon the very landscapes and seascapes of the islands they ruled. Yet British history has tended to overlook these Late Norse maritime empires, which thrived for two centuries on the Atlantic frontiers of Britain. This book represents the first ever overview of both Manx and Hebridean dynasties that dominated Man and the Isles from the late eleventh to the mid-thirteenth centuries. Coverage is broad and is not restricted to politics and warfare. An introductory chapter examines the maritime context of the kingdoms in light of recent work in the field of maritime history, while subsequent chronological and narrative chapters trace the history of the kingdoms from their origins through their maturity to their demise in the thirteenth century. Separate chapters examine the economy and society, church and religion, power and architecture.Trade Review'This is a splendid volume. It is a testament to the author’s expertise, built up over two decades of study, that he is able to bring coherence to such a complex history' -- Andrew Rabin * The Medieval Review *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen Vasa was raised in 1961 a lost world was revealed in astonishing detail. Among the most remarkable finds were the remains of the rigging. Normally shipwrecks offer only a few clues to the structure above the waterline, but on Vasa the lower masts, a myriad of blocks and deadeyes, hundreds of metres of rope and cable and – most astonishingly – nine sails from the ship and its boat survive. The unique finds provide an unparalleled opportunity to reconstruct the rigging in detail and to form an understanding of how ships were sailed in the seventeenth century. With a sail plan, rigging, and steering gear that are substantially different to the classical full-rigged ship of the nineteenth century, the evidence from Vasa paints a vivid picture of ship-handling in the Age of Sail. Vasa II Part 1 presents more than a thousand finds of wood, metal, and cloth from the most complete rig to survive from before 1800, which form the basis for a complete reconstruction of the rig and sailing performance of a large warship of the 1620s.

Read more less

Book Synopsis''A wonderfully quirky history'' SUNDAY TIMES''The perfect read while you wait for your summer holiday to begin'' MAIL ON SUNDAY''Quippy anecdotes are woven with historical reference and geographical context to give full colour'' IRISH TIMESA bulwark against invasion, a conduit for exchange and a challenge to be conquered, the English Channel - 21 miles wide at its narrowest point - represents much more than a conductor of goods and people. Criss-crossing the Channel, Charlie Connelly collects its stories and brings them vividly to life, from tailing Oscar Wilde''s shadow through the dark streets of Dieppe to unearthing Britain''s first beauty pageant at the end of Folkestone pier. We learn that Louis Bleriot was actually a terrible pilot, the tragic fate of the first successful Channel swimmer, and that if a man with a buttered head and pigs'' bladders attached to his trousers hadn''t fought off an attack by dogfish we might never have had a ChaTrade ReviewPerfect entertainment for grim times -- Andrew HolgateA wonderfully quirky history . . . funny, sweet-tempered and skips along like a skiff in a fresh breeze . . . A classic of its small, comic kind * Sunday Times *Entertaining ... Bright, breezy, and seasoned with a beguiling poignancy, The Channel is the perfect read while you wait for your summer holiday to begin -- Michael Simkins * MAIL ON SUNDAY *Broadcaster and swimmer Charlie Connelly immerses us in a lively history/travel memoir to tell the story of our island bulwark, from when it was rolling hills to the building of the tunnel. We visit coastal towns and chalk-ridge churches, meet a cast of fascinating characters and learn about the antics of swimmers, pilots and balloonists * COUNTRY LIFE *From Dunkirk, to the English occupation of Calais, to Matthew Webb's great scarlet swimming trunks, the English Channel is brimming with stories. The rich history of this body of water is captured by Charlie Connelly, amateur swimmer, broadcaster and all-round funny fella. Quippy anecdotes are woven with historical reference and geographical context to give full colour ... Connelly's enthusiasm brings each story to life' -- Brigid O'Dea * IRISH TIMES *

Read more less

Book SynopsisDive Scapa Flow has been THE definitive guide to diving the fabled wrecks of Scapa Flow, one of the world's greatest wreck diving locations. This completely re-written and updated centenary edition is produced to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the scuttle of the 74 warships of the interned German High Seas Fleet at Scapa Flow on 21st June 1919 - the greatest act of maritime suicide the world has ever seen. The dark depths of Scapa Flow conceal the remains of several of the Kaiser's WWI High Seas Fleet. Three massive 575 feet long 26,000-ton Konig-class battleships await exploration - huge underwater mountains where divers can see the last 12-inch big guns to have fired at British warships at the Battle of Jutland in 1916; or drift along rows of 5.9-inch secondary battery casemate guns and see massive masts and heavily armoured spotting tops. Four 5,000-ton, 500 foot long, kleiner kreuzers, Brummer, Coln, Dresden and Karlsruhe lie on their beam ends open for inspection with parts that remained on the seabed of many other High Seas Fleet vessels as they themselves were lifted to the surface during the greatest feat of underwater salvage that has ever taken place. Add in a U-boat, a boom defence vessel, an Icelandic trawler, a number of drifters, WWII vessels, many 'blockships' intentionally sunk to block the smaller channels into Scapa Flow during WWI and WWII and it becomes apparent what Scapa Flow offers divers. Scapa Flow's war graves, HMS Royal Oak, torpedoed at the beginning of WWII and HMS Vanguard, which blew up in a catastrophic magazine explosion in 1917 and HMS Hampshire, which struck a German mine and sunk on 5th June 1916 north-west of Orkney carrying Lord Kitchener and his staff on a secret diplomatic mission to Russia, are off limits to divers today - but their stories are recounted to preserve the memory of those that perished.Trade Review`This is an outstanding book and I would recommend it’. Shipping Today & Yesterday -------------------- `The photos and detailed wreck sketches definitely get the adrenalin and imagination going. ...I was drawn into a gripping and almost eerie world where one of the largest scuttle of German warships in history had occurred. ...was pleasantly taken aback by the rich history that the book clearly provided. It is well presented and structured to anyone who would want to dive this part of the world or find out about its rich and hidden history'. Little Ship -------------------- `...this is a far more comprehensive book. The most notable addition to this edition is the illustrations. The historic pictures of the ships taken at the time give a tremendous sense of their power... ...this most enjoyable book'. Scottish Diver -------------------- `One book that ardent wreck and Scapa Flow fans ought to grab is Rod Macdonald's `Dive Scapa Flow'. Macdonald's knowledge comes across in his enthusiastic writing. The prose is clear, definitive and loaded with facts, figures and safety information. ...the ideal book to read just before you dive on the wrecks'. Deeper Blue -------------------- `...having read Rod Macdonald's latest publication "The 100th anniversary edition" can I really claim to know about Scapa Flow. ...a compelling read. Rod's description of the dive scene once you get to Scapa Flow is compelling and every divers dream scene, It's a beautiful, informative book and a must have for any divers bookshelf'. SubSea -------------------- `Rod Macdonald writes with clarity and enthusiasm...there is no question that this is the definitive account. The book is loaded with facts and figures... Anyone wanting a dive adventure at the fabled Scapa Flow, or just with an interest in shipwrecks, surely needs this book'. Dive New Zealand | Dive Pacific -------------------- `This indispensable softback guide, at almost 400 pages in length, is a must for any diver interested in shipwrecks, and will also appeal to all those with an interest in maritime and naval history'. The Orcadian -------------------- `Rod's definitive guidebook...has been thoroughly revised and reimagined for a new generation of divers... The trademark illustrations remain, supplemented by sonar pictures and some fabulous new photographs... As with his Palau and Truk books, there's plenty here for fans of military history to get excited over... His knowledge, findings and eyewitness account from the deep, remote location off Orkney make up a fascinating last chapter of the book. ...all of the elements make the centenary edition a must-read for anyone thinking of diving the wrecks of Scapa Flow'. British Diver -------------------- `...I found this book fascinating and informative. Although primarily a guide for those interested in diving...it is much more than that. The book covers military history, naval history, biographies, the economics and history of salvaging wrecks, engineering, tourist information and much more... ...detailed accounts of the location of each of the wrecks and the best means of getting the most out of diving to view them. Essential safety information is also included. ...he [Rod] is also an accomplished writer who is capable of explaining technical details in ways accessible to the general reader'. Am Bratach -------------------- `...the ultimate dive guide to the fabulous Scapa Flow...' Scuba Zone -------------------- `The book is a replete with some excellent photographs and drawings. They are first rate and...enable the reader to understand what it is that attracts all those divers - and there are many of them - to Scapa Flow'. Workboat World -------------------- `This is a classic dive book updated and revised, and a fitting tribute to the memory of all those who perished in that body of water'. Julian Stockwin -------------------- `...gives an insight into what is on offer under the water'. Burnley Express, Rebecca Hay -------------------- `No...wreck-diver...should be without this book... Many books have been written about Britain's world-class wreck-diving attraction. ...but Macdonald's caught divers' imagination not only for its vivid meshing of history with diving narrative, at which he is a master, but for its illustrations. ...this new version...benefits in particular from the latest generation of sonar scans, which reveal exactly how the wrecks appear today. The book has almost doubled in pagination since its original incarnation, but what is impressive is that much of the new edition has been rewritten rather than simply tacking new sections onto old'. Divernet -------------------- `...a superb book. The text is sufficiently detailed to be considered an "everything you ever wanted to know about...", and this is supported by excellent illustrations. This book is required reading for anyone interested in diving, or in Orkney (or both), and guarantees that the definitive guide to diving Scapa Flow will remain exactly that for many years to come'. Undiscovered Scotland

Read more less

Book SynopsisA comprehensively researched reference work that details over 430 RFA vessels, including 33 war and marine losses, plus 53 entries showcasing class backgrounds.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSituated in the middle of the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man is like a stepping-stone between the lands that surround it. In medieval times, it played an important role in the histories of Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. This book explores the first part of that turbulent era, tracing the story of the Isle of Man from the fifth to the thirteenth centuries. It looks at the ways in which various peoples – Britons, Scots, Irish, English and Scandinavians – influenced events in Man over a period of more than 800 years. A large portion of the book is concerned with the Vikings, a group whose legacy – in place names, old burial mounds and finely carved stones – is such a vivid element in the Manx landscape today.Trade Review'an accessible and well written account of over eight centuries of the island's history that also appears to be superbly researched' -- Ken Lussey * Undiscovered Scotland *'an easy-to-read account, clearly set out, enabling the reader to dip in and out of the narrative' -- Allison Fox * Current Archaeology *'A good introduction to Manx history and Clarkson has been particularly impressive in his ability to create a coherent account of the pre-Viking period' -- Alex Woolf * Mariner's Mirror *

Read more less

Book SynopsisHistories of remote islands around Japan are usually told through the prism of territorial disputes. In contrast, Takahiro Yamamoto contends that the transformation of the islands from ambiguous border zones emerged out of multilateral power relations. Demarcating Japan shows the crucial role of nonstate actors in formulating a territory.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"Winner of the Bentley Book Prize, World History Association""[A] deeply researched study. . . . Distant Shores succeeds in its objective to further nuance the conventional narrative of China’s decline throughout the long 19th century by shifting the gaze to the southeastern littoral."---Yorim Spoelder, Asian Review of Books"[An] excellent study. . . . This compelling work not only provides a fresh look at the rationale behind the first Opium War, but also importantly deconstructs the rhetoric of the widely accepted fundamental divergence of Europe and China supposed to have developed starting in the eighteenth century."---Bart Dessein, Journal of the European Association for Chinese Studies

Read more less

Book SynopsisNaval operations and warfare were (and remain) a key element for mapping. This beautiful book looks at a series of key conflicts from the sixteenth century to the present day and explains how they were represented through mapping and how the maps produced helped naval commanders to plan their strategy. There are plentiful maps and a good story to tell, both about naval history and about mapping at sea. Conflicts covered include the the American Revolution, Spanish Armada, the Napoleonic Wars, the First and Second World Wars, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis bold, innovative book promises to radically alter our understanding of the Atlantic slave trade, and the depths of its horrors. Smallwood offers a penetrating look at the process of enslavement from its African origins through the Middle Passage and into the American slave market.Trade ReviewStephanie Smallwood's Saltwater Slavery sets a new standard. It is at once a harrowing evocation of the Middle Passage, a brilliant account of the ways that Africans and Europeans made sense of the bloody process in which they were joined, and a subtle critique of the categories of historical inquiry. Here we see realized the enormous promise of a genuinely Atlantic approach to the history of American slavery. -- Walter Johnson, author of Soul by SoulW.E.B. Du Bois called the African slave trade the 'most magnificent drama in the last thousand years of human history.' Stephanie Smallwood captures this drama in imaginative and innovative ways, offering a powerful account of the maritime origins of African-America amid the profound violence of the world market. -- Marcus Rediker, co-author of The Many-Headed Hydra: Sailors, Slaves, Commoners and the Hidden History of the Revolutionary AtlanticNo study of the Atlantic slave trade has attempted to penetrate the darkness of those ships' holds, to explore what might have gone on in the minds of the hundreds of nameless people trapped below decks—until now. Smallwood gets there through a tour de force of theoretical sophistication, sensitive informed imagination, and dramatic writing. Hers is the most original and provocative book on the Middle Passage in almost half a century. -- Joseph C. Miller, author of Way of Death: Merchant Capitalism and the Angolan Slave Trade 1730–1830Stephanie Smallwood's Saltwater Slavery is the new starting point for studies of the Middle Passage and required reading for students of the black Atlantic. -- Ira Berlin, University of Maryland, author of Many Thousands GoneSmallwood aims to move away from the numbers game that has ensnared so many other historians studying the Middle Passage. Instead of ledgers and account books, she uses letters, journals, and narratives from around the trade route to get closer to the slave experience itself. As the narrative follows the progress of the newly enslaved across the Middle Passage, Smallwood's use of quotes brings to life the everyday horror experienced by 'Saltwater Slaves,' as Africans first arriving in the Americas were described at the time. -- Kathryn V. Stewart * Library Journal *In this stark depiction of slaves and their 'utter alienation from the most basic norms of everyday life,' Smallwood simultaneously delivers a lucid popular history and expands scholarly understanding of slavery with a thorough, clear-eyed look at the dreaded Middle Passage and how it shaped the slave experience… Smallwood is particularly adept at portraying, in detail, the unbearable conditions of the slave ships… Extensive research, much of it from primary sources, forms Smallwood's basis, but she has a storyteller's knack for well-pitched anecdotes and pointed examples. * Publishers Weekly *This deeply researched, tightly focused, and skillfully evocative look at the Atlantic slave trade, 1675–1725, details the experience of crossing the ocean—an ordeal fatal to many of the slaves who were forced to undertake it. * The Atlantic *Stephanie E. Smallwood's excellent book Saltwater Slavery has attracted less attention than it deserves. Making careful use of the primary sources at [the National Archives at] Kew, Smallwood follows 300,000 captives taken from what is now Ghana, between 1675 and 1725, to 'widening circles of the diaspora in the Americas.' …An ambitious, innovative and highly successful feature of her book is to take what is known about the beliefs of the isolated societies from which slaves were taken—communities who in some cases had never seen white people, the ocean or a ship—to offer a carefully controlled imaginative reconstruction of how the embarked slaves may have conceptualized the 'saltwater' experience and attempted to reconcile what they saw with their existing world view. -- William St. Clair * Times Literary Supplement *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. The Gold Coast and the Atlantic Market for People 2. Turning African Captives into Atlantic Commodities 3. The Political Economy of the Slave Ship 4. The Anomalous Intimacies of the Slave Cargo 5. The Living Dead aboard the Slave Ship at Sea 6. Turning Atlantic Commodities into American Slaves 7. Life and Death in Diaspora Conclusion: Saltwater Slavery in Memory and History Notes Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisDON'T MISS THE MAJOR FILM INSPIRED BY CHASE'S NARRATIVE, IN THE HEART OF THE SEA On 20 November 1820, just south of the equator, the whaling ship Essex, spotted and pursued a shoal of sperm whales. As the crew started harpooning, the largest whale – some 85 feet long – rammed the Essex twice and 'stove in her bows'. What followed was an epic three-month voyage in open boats across storm-tossed seas. Only eight men survived, sustained by eating those who died.This edition includes Owen Chases’s famous account, as well as memoirs by two other crew members and a facsimile of Herman Melville's notes on Chase’s narrative.Trade ReviewThe effect is kaleidoscopic. A vivid portrait emerges of the shipwrecked men's privatations and fundamental moral dilemma: literally to eat or be eaten -- Lawrence NorfolkChase's book still has an almost Biblical power * Mail on Sunday *An incredibly vivid journal of survival * Scotsman *The reading of this wondrous story...had a surprising effect on me -- Herman MelvilleWhen I found myself popping the notes I attach to potential quotes to virtually every page, I realised I might as well just deliver a rousing injunction to read the book for yourselves -- Christina Hardyment * Independent *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe powerful German battle cruiser Scharnhorst was stalked and engaged on Boxing Day 1943 by a superior Allied naval task force off the North Cape of Norway. In pitch darkness and mountainous seas, British warships led by HMS Duke of York and HMS Belfast engaged Scharnhorst in a clash of the titans that saw the pride of the German Navy sent to the bottom of the Barents Sea with heavy loss of life among its crew of the 2000 or so men onboard, only 36 were saved. In 2000, the Norwegian writer and investigative journalist, Alf R. Jacobsen, led the expedition that found and filmed the wreck of the Scharnhorst 1000ft down in the freezing ocean inside the Arctic Circle. His book tells for the first time the complete story of this important World War II naval engagement and the eventual rediscovery of the ship. The story of the destruction of the Scharnhorst and the clandestine activities around the German naval base in northern Norway are interwoven with the author''s personal account of

Read more less

Book SynopsisA fascinating insight through rare photographs into the aftermath of the horrific 1914 sinking rescue, salvage and investigations

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe startling history of Anson's voyage round the world in 1740. A quite remarkably erudite and deeply informed book' Patrick O'Brian, Daily TelegraphAnson's voyage of 1740-44 holds a unique and terrible place in British naval history. The misadventures of this first attempt by Royal Navy ships to sail round the world make a dramatic story of hardship, disaster, mutiny and heroism. Only one of Anson's squadron, the flagship Centurion, completed its mission. The other vessels were wrecked, scuttled or forced back in shattered condition. Out of 1850 officers and men who sailed from Spithead in September 1740, almost fourteen hundred died, most from disease or starvation. With crews ravaged by scurvy, Anson's ships were battered by relentless storms as they attempted to round Cape Horn. Two of the six men-of-war in the squadron turned back, their captains to face later accusations of desertion. A third, the Wager, was wrecked on a desolate island off the coast of Chile in circumstances in

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe story of how the Japanese Imperial Navy defeated the Russian Imperial Navy in 1905, marking the first modern victory of an Asian power over a major European power.Trade ReviewThis book will undoubtedly attract the attention of domestic experts and all those interested in the history of the Russo-Japanese War...It seems as if nothing new can be added to what has already been written about the battle over more than a century, however this work shows that it is possible. Kowner's monograph is a solid and fundamental study with a good literary style. It will certainly stir up controversy [in Russia], which is also the hallmark of a quality historical work. * Dmitrii V. Likharev, Rossiya i ATR *Not only does this excellent book provide a good treatment of the battle itself...but a great deal of consideration is also given to its long-term effect in naval, political, and cultural spheres. * Andrew Choong Han Lin, The Mariner's Mirror *Very readable and informative, and gives an excellent insight into how naval tactics changed and developed after the battle. A must-read for anyone interested in early-twentieth century naval warfare. * Chris May *Rotem Kowner's Tsushima constitutes a tour de force treatment of this epic battle and its multiple legacies. He establishes remote and immediate contexts, provides accurate description and informed analysis, and delves deeply into aftermath. * Bruce W. Menning, Professor of Strategy (ret.), U. S. Army Command and General Staff College *A book of remarkable originality, daring, and openness of mind. Professor Kowner presents a skilful account of Tsushima which for the first time equally embraces Japanese and Russian sides of the battle and its consequences. * Dmitrii V. Likharev, Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Russia *A penetrating and comprehensive study of the most consequential naval battle fought between Trafalgar (1805) and Pearl Harbor (1941). Where Kowner's work shines brightest is his insightful analysis of this battle's military, political, and cultural legacy for both participants and the wider world. Tsushima is masterful. * J. Charles Schencking, Author of Making Waves: Politics, Propaganda, and the Emergence of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1969-1922 *Rotem Kowner's Tsushima presents a comprehensive account of the Battle of Tsushima Strait in 1905. It skilfully describes how and why it occurred and ended with a decisive and one-sided victory by the Imperial Japanese Navy. Among other things, this book is about the big battleships and guns. Well prepared and trained, the IJN made the best use of them against the Baltic Fleet and earned well-deserving glory and acclaim. However, the memory of decisive victory at Tsushima also planted in the minds of generations of IJN's leaders hubris, arrogance, and inflexibility to adjust and change IJN's naval doctrine until its last days in 1945. Kowner, as a true historian, re-enacts the days of the big battleships and guns, and beckons us all to return to the seas again. * Naoyuki Agawa, Author of Friendship Across the Seas: The US Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force *Table of Contents1: Background 2: Analysis of the battle and its unique points 3: The battle's immediate consequences and how it was seen at the time 4: The Japanese legacy of Tsushima as a model decisive battle 5: Tsushima and the destruction of the Imperial Russian Navy 6: Tsushima's impact on naval warfare in the 20th century Further Reading Notes Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis anthology places the works of such well-known figures as Captain James Cook and Robert Louis Stevenson alongside the writings of lesser-known explorers, missionaries, beachcombers, and literary travellers who roamed the South Seas from the late 17th through the late 19th centuries.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBetween the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea focuses upon the seamen's experience in order to illuminate larger historical issues such as the rise of capitalism, the genesis of free wage labor, and the growth of an international working class. These epic themes were intimately bound up with the everyday hopes and fears of the common men who toiled upon the deep.Trade Review'In this important book, Marcus Rediker imbeds rich empirical research within an impressive theoretical framework. The result is a fresh and powerful analysis of the eighteenth-century maritime world that will quickly establish the author as a leading scholar in Anglo-American labor history.' Gary Nash, University of California, Los Angeles'Marcus Rediker's in-depth study of seamen in the early eighteenth century tells us a great deal not only about the shipping industry but also about the rise of capitalist relations in general in England, for which the industry may have been a more important forcing house than has previously been realised. No one interested in the history of the eighteenth century can afford to ignore this book.' Christopher HillTable of ContentsList of illustrations; Acknowledgments; Abbreviations; Introduction; 1. The seaman as man of the world: a tour of the North Atlantic, c. 1740; 2. The seaman as collective worker: the labor process at sea; 3. The seaman as wage laborer: the search for ready money; 4. The seaman as plain dealer: language and culture at sea; 5. The seaman as the 'spirit of rebellion': authority, violence, and labor discipline; 6. The seaman as pirate: plunder and social banditry at sea; Conclusion: the seaman as worker of the world; Appendices; Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe story of the breathtaking Mauretania of 1907, the ‘greyhound of the Atlantic’

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe busy River Mersey and its two ports, Liverpool and Birkenhead, have seen great changes in recent years. In Mersey Ports - Liverpool and Birkenhead, Ian Collard charts the developments that have taken place in maritime life on the Mersey, from the 1950s and 1960s through to the present day. Ships of all shapes and sizes have been found on the Mersey, from the old Mersey ferries and the motor ferries that replaced them, to huge passenger liners and container ships. as well as tall ships, tugs and seacats. All of them feature in this detailed photographic history. A host of international shipping companies are represented, including Blue Funnel, Ellerman, Harrison and Elder Dempster lines. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. wintered its fleet in Morpeth Dock at Birkenhead, and Princes Landing Stage was once the focal point of activity at the docks, as passenger liners queued to berth.

Read more less

Book SynopsisLi Tana presents a powerful new reading of Vietnamese history: that key political changes resulted from the impact, economic and otherwise, of the sea. This finely layered account covering the two millennia before colonisation radically restructures how we understand the shaping of the country we now know as Vietnam.Trade Review'In assiduity and breadth, this book surpasses even Prof. Li's now classic Nguyen Cochinchina. As a meticulous analysis of the intersection between external and domestic economies, A Maritime Vietnam provides not only for Vietnam, but for the region a model longitudinal inquiry into a fundamental but substantially neglected theme. It will enhance Prof. Li's reputation as one of the most original scholars ever to have worked in pre-colonial Southeast Asia history.' Victor Lieberman, University of MichiganTable of ContentsIntroduction; 1. Maritime formations; 2. Aromatics, Buddhism and the making of a south seas emporium; 3. Aromatic forests, sea trade, and the rise of Linyi, 200–700 CE; 4. Maritime resurgence and the rise of Dai Viet; 5. Winds of trade from the Middle East: 6. Muslim trade and the conquest of the coast: the mystery of the Topkapi vase; 7. Silks and society: Tongking in the age of commerce; 8. Seventeenth century Dang Trong: a maritime entity; 9. The rise and fall of the water frontier; 10. Ships and the problem of political integration: the cost of Tao Van and shipbuilding; Conclusion: some reflections on a maritime Vietnam.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn contrast to the voluminous literature on trench warfare, few scholarly works have been written on how the First World War was experienced at sea. The conditions of war challenged the Royal Navy''s position within British national identity and its own service ethos. This challenge took the form of a dialogue, fuelled by fear of civil unrest, between the discourses of paternalism from above and democratism from below. Laura Rowe explores issues of morale and discipline, using the contemporary language of discipline to shed light on key questions of how the service was able to absorb indiscipline with marked success through a subtle web of loyalties, history, ethos, traditions and customs, which were rooted in older notions of service but moulded by the new conditions of total war. In so doing, she provides not only a new methodological framework for understanding morale, but also military discipline and leadership.Trade Review'Laura Rowe's book fills major gaps in the multidisciplinary study of military endurance and in the historiography of the First World War. A meticulously researched examination of the Royal Navy's resilience during the hard war years, this is among the first modern in-depth analyses of morale in maritime conflict. Essential reading.' Alexander Watson, author of Enduring the Great War. Combat, Morale and Collapse in the German and British Armies, 1914–1918'Laura Rowe's book makes us rethink the relationship between British society and the Royal Navy during the First World War. An important contribution to the 'new naval history'.' Jan Rüger, author of Heligoland: Britain, Germany, and the Struggle for the North Sea'This careful, eloquent study of morale and discipline shows how, and why, the Royal Navy had its own, effective ways of handling the stress of war in 1914–18. At last, we have a study that places British sailors where they belong – at the heart of the Great War.' John Horne, Emeritus Fellow, Trinity College Dublin'Morale and Discipline in the Royal Navy is an impressive, and in many ways, a seminal work … [it] is a thoroughly well researched and argued social history that presents a fresh view on the First World War and a new framework for examining concepts of morale.' Alexander Maavara, Canadian Military HistoryTable of ContentsAcknowledgements; Introduction; 1. Ethos on the eve of war: the foundations of paternalism and democratism; 2. The structure of discipline and the spectre of indiscipline; 3. 'Addressing' pay and conditions; 4. Lower-deck societies, trade unions, and representation; 5. Counting unrest; Conclusion; Bibliography.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAimed at anyone with an interest in the building and uses of ancient and medieval boats.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe ShipCraft' series provides in-depth information about building and modifying model kits of famous warship types. Lavishly illustrated, each book takes the modeller through a brief history of the subject, highlighting differences between ships and changes in their appearance over their careers. This includes paint schemes and camouflage, featuring colour profiles and highly detailed line drawings and scale plans. The modelling section reviews the strengths and weaknesses of available kits, lists commercial accessory sets for super-detailing of the subjects, and provides hints on modifying and improving the basic kit. This is followed by an extensive photographic gallery of selected high-quality models in a variety of scales, and the book concludes with a section on research references books, monographs, large-scale plans and relevant websites.This is the second of two volumes covering Royal Navy 6-inch cruisers of the 1930s and later, this one devoted to the second generation' desi

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe life and career of an infamous pirate at the end of the Golden Age of Piracy.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA unique guide to this famous warship, collating authentic period sources including design notes and information for sailors to provide a unique guide to this famous warship.A familiar sight on the Thames at London Bridge, HMS Belfast is a Royal Navy light cruiser, launched in March 1938. Belfast was part of the British naval blockade against Germany and from November 1942 escorted Arctic convoys to the Soviet Union and assisted in the destruction of the German warship Scharnhorst. In June 1944 Belfast supported the Normandy landings and in 1945 was redeployed to the British Pacific Fleet. After the war she saw action in the Korean War and a number of other overseas actions. She has been part of the Imperial War Museum since 1978, with 250,000 visitors annually. This fascinating book comprises a series of documents that give information on the building of the ship, her wartime service history and life on board in a handy pocket-sized format, ideal as Trade ReviewA book deserving a salute! * Warship World *This is a gem of a book for anyone with the slightest interest in naval history. * Fly Navy – Fleet Air Arm Officers’ Association magazine *By reading this nifty little book before, during or after your visit to the legendary WW2 and Cold War veteran cruiser – a world of fascinating facts enhance the experience you are about to have, are enjoying or have recently had. * Warships Magazine *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA definitive history of cooperation between the Royal Navy and Russian Navy from 1988 to 2014. It provides lessons learned by both sides and recommends a pathway to military dialogue, as political circumstances dictate. The book enhances our understanding of both the Russians and the Russian Navy and the threat the latter will continue to pose. -- .

Read more less

Book SynopsisCapturing the times when lives and victory were in peril, this book records the exploits of the men who fought in WWII in the air and on the sea, including pilots and air crewmen of carrier squadrons, officers and men of the ship''s company and admirals and their staffs.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAdmiral Raoul Castex is France's most important modern naval strategist. Military historian Eugenia Kiesling offers the essence of Castex's original five volume study, Théories Stratégiques, in a useful one-volume abridgment and a very readable translation. It emphasizes the admiral's method of strategic analysis while omitting most of the historical narrative. Included are chapters defining strategy and relating it to policy and geography, analyzing the role of maritime forces and the significance of command at sea, prescribing a theory of conduct of operations, and introducing Castex's favorite themes: strategic manoeuvre, stratégie générale, and the theory of "perturbation."Two narrative chapters on German operations in the North Sea from 1914 to 1916 remain as examples of the author's historical style. The introduction places Castex's work in four distinct contexts: the international debate among naval theorists on the nature and importance of "command at sea," the controversy within France between advocates of the "historical" and "material" schools of naval strategy, the contemporary concern over coordinated naval strategy for total war, and his contribution to the formulation of French strategy between the world wars. In an era of expanding global responsibilities and shrinking national economies, Castex's balanced view of naval power offers many insights for today's new generation of naval thinkers.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn 1785, just a few years after U.S. Independence, a young American named James Leander Cathcart is kidnapped at sea and carried as prisoner to the maverick North African statelet of Algiers, where he is held as a political hostage along with hundreds of other seamen captured on the open seas. The piratical corsairs of Algiers have decided, without any warning, to exploit the vulnerability of the newborn United States by seizing its mariners and holding them for ransom while ruthlessly exploiting their free labor. Today, the name of James Leander Cathcart has been all but forgotten by history. And yet he was one of the most remarkable figures in the early story of the fledgling United States.The Lionkeeper of Algiers reveals the extraordinary and unlikely story of Cathcart, who, thanks to his flair for languages and his formidable human intuition, rose steadily up the ranks from lionkeeper at the Dey’s private zoo to become Chief Clerk at the Palace, along the way amassing a chain of taverns in Algiers that functioned as safe houses and food banks for American prisoners. Eleven years later, just one among more than one hundred US hostages in Algiers, Cathcart was paroled back to America and charged with delivering a vital letter to President George Washington, saving a tenuous peace deal and bringing the other captives home. Remarkably, his sense of honor compelled him to go back to Algiers – where he had never formally been made free – to see the peace project through. Cathcart would go on to become a U.S. diplomat in the lands where he was held captive for more than a decade. Featuring some of the most prominent Americans of the era like Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, as well as ordinary citizens like Hannah Stephens, the wife of a sea captain who tirelessly lobbied Congress until she was finally reunited with her husband after more than a decade, author Des Ekin’s captivating storytelling brings this adventure to life. This page-turning narrative follows the twists and turns of Cathcart’s own life upon the international stage of diplomacy, trade, and maritime statecraft at a time when America’s place in the world was hanging in the balance.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Brooklyn-class light cruiser USS Boise (CL-47) was one of the most famous US combat ships of World War II, already internationally renowned following her participation in the naval battles in the Solomons in 1942. After repairs and modifications, in 1943 the Boise was sent to the Mediterranean theatre, there to participate in the invasions of Sicily, Taranto, and Salerno, and enhancing her fame by destroying enemy tanks during armoured counterattacks in both Sicily and Salerno.From the Mediterranean, Boise was sent to the Southwest Pacific theatre to join the US 7th Fleet for the campaign in New Guinea in 1943–44 and then the invasion of the Philippines. She fought in the battle of Leyte Gulf, notably in the night engagement in the Surigao Strait, where battleships faced off against each other for the last time in maritime history. Boise was credited with helping to sink a Japanese battleship. She also fought off the suicide planes known as kamikazes at Leyte and later at Lingayen Gulf during the invasion of Luzon. MacArthur used her as his flagship for the Luzon attack, thereby adding to her already considerable fame, then after helping retake Corregidor and other islands in the Philippines, Boise carried the general on a triumphant tour of the islands. This tour was interrupted for the invasion of Borneo, but completed when the beach was secured. After MacArthur left the ship in June 1945, she returned to the US for overhaul which was just complete as the war ended, by which time she had been awarded 11 battle stars, more than any other light cruiser in her class.This full account of USS Boise’s war not only gives us an insight into how one ship navigated a global conflict, but also an insight into the experiences of the men who served on her, and a new perspective on the naval campaigns of the war.Table of ContentsPart I: A Sea Story: A Georgia “cracker” meets the USS Boise 1. Prologue. 2. The USS Boise, 1938–1942 Part II: Through the Gates of Hercules: The Mediterranean Theater 1943 3. Operation Husky: The Invasion of Sicily 4. Operation Avalanche: The Invasion of Salerno Part III: With MacArthur’s Navy in the Southwest Pacific, 1943–45 5. Playing Leapfrog with the Japanese in New Guinea, 1943–44 6. Return to the Philippines: The Battle of Leyte Gulf 7. Kamikaze: The Divine Wind sweeps across the Philippines 8. The Invasion of Luzon: The Battle of Lingayen Gulf, January 1945 9. The Battle of Corregidor and Manila Part IV: Wrapping it Up in the Southwest Pacific 10. Wrapping it Up: Mindanao, Borneo, and California, March–June 1945 11. Farewell to a Navy Legend Appendices Glossary & Acronyms Photographs Sources: Documents and Bibliography

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe years leading to World War I were the 'Age of the Dreadnought'. The monumental battleship design, first introduced by Admiral Fisher to the Royal Navy in 1906, was quickly adopted around the world and led to a new era of naval warfare and policy. In this book, Roger Parkinson provides a re-writing of the naval history of Britain and the other leading naval powers from the 1880s to the early years of World War I. The years before 1914 were characterised by intensifying Anglo-German naval competition, with an often forgotten element beyond Europe in the form of the rapidly developing navies of the United States and Japan. Parkinson shows that, although the advent of the dreadnought was the pivotal turning-point in naval policy, in fact much of the technology that enabled the dreadnought to be launched was a continuity from the pre-dreadnought era. In the annals of the Royal Navy two names will always be linked: those of Admiral Sir John 'Jacky' Fisher and the ship he created, HMS Dreadnought. This book shows how the dreadnought enabled the Royal Navy to develop from being primarily the navy of the 'Pax Britannica' in the Victorian era to being a war-ready fighting force in the early years of the twentieth century. The ensuing era of intensifying naval competition rapidly became a full-blooded naval arms race, leading to the development of super-dreadnoughts and escalating tensions between the European powers. Providing a truly international perspective on the dreadnought phenomenon, this book will be essential reading for all naval history enthusiasts and anyone interested in World War I.Trade Review'An informative and readable book, it provides a useful summary of the subject, placing it in a wider context' Michael DuffyTable of ContentsPreface The Origins of the Pre-Dreadnought Era The Pre-Dreadnought Era in the 1890s The New Navies of the 1890s Fisher and the Dreadnought The Imperial German Navy The Politics and Diplomacy of Naval Policy From Dreadnoughts to Super-Dreadnoughts The Worldwide Dreadnought Arms Race The First World War

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn 'An Island Christmas - Nollaig Oileánach', celebrated Irish author Micheál Ó Conghaile takes readers on a heartfelt journey through his childhood memories of Christmas on the now-abandoned island of Connemara's Inis Treabhair. 'An Island Christmas - Nollaig Oileánach' transcends the holiday season, weaving together tales of the simple joys of Christmas on the island with the broader tapestry of childhood memories, friendships, and the cherished personalities of the island community. Ó Conghaile reminisces about the unique traditions and customs of his island upbringing in the 1960s and 70s in this captivating memoir. Delving into the island's social history he paints a vivid picture of family life in an intimate portrait of island culture and a pre-electric era that will captivate readers of all ages. Though the island is no longer inhabited, Ó Conghaile's recollections serve as a poignant reminder of the enduring importance of family, community, and the magic of childhood. Whether you are a fan of Ó Conghaile's previous works or new to his writing, 'An Island Christmas - Nollaig Oileánach', offers a heartfelt and enchanting glimpse into a bygone era, making it a delightful read for any time of the year. An inspiring insight into the life of a passionate artist and powerhouse behind the resurgence of Irish language writing and publishing, witness Ó Conghaile's journey from an eager young boy tapping away on a typewriter to the founder of renowned publishing house Cló Iar-Chonnacht. Translated from the Irish by Mícheál Ó hAodha.

Read more less

Book Synopsis The archaeology of maritime cultural landscapes offers insights into cultural traditions, social transitions, and cultural relationships that reach beyond the narrow confines of waterfronts and beach strands and helps construct meaningful social histories. The long shore of California is not limited to the land that borders the Pacific Ocean, but includes the navigable waters that reach inland, the off-shore islands, and the riverways flow to the sea. Authors investigate the multifaceted character of maritime landscapes and maritime oriented communities in California’s equally diverse cultural landscape; viewed through an archaeological lens, and emphasizing social behavior and community as material culture in order to reveal intersections and commonalities.Trade Review “This is a volume that is long overdue, and that pulls together an amazingly diverse and complex body of research that scholars across a variety of different disciplines and research areas will want to access.” • Margaret Purser, Sonoma State UniversityTable of Contents Acknowledgements List of Figures List of Tables Preface Introduction: The Long Shore. Perspectives on Maritime Cultural Landscapes Marco Meniketti Part I: Before the Invasion. The Indigenous Maritime World: Ancient Landscapes Chapter 1. Marine Cultural Heritage, Landscapes, and the Human Dimension of Marine Ecosystems: Building Bridges Between Marine and Social Science: Chumash Amy Gusick, Jillian Maloney, Todd Braje, Shannon Klotsko, Jon Erlandson, Luke Johnson Chapter 2. Life at Tsiyiwi (CA-SLO-51/H), A Northern Chumash Maritime Community on the Pecho Coast of Central California Terry Jones and Brian Codding Chapter 3. The Drake’s Bay Historic and Archaeological District: Encounters at tamàl-húye Mathew Russell Part II: Immigrant Communities and Economies Chapter 4. California’s Nineteenth Century Chinese Fisheries and the Dawn of Commercial Abalone Fishing Todd Braje and Linda Bentz Chapter 5. Feluccas on the San Francisco Bay: Italian Fishermen and the Meaning of Community and the Mediterranean Connection Marco Meniketti Chapter 6. A Case Study of the Portuguese and Shore Whaling Linking the Azores to California Catherine Mistely, Karen Johannson, and Marco Meniketti Part III: Opportunistic Industry and Enterprises Chapter 7. Repurposing and Reusing Ships Sheli Smith Chapter 8. The Redwood Coast’s Doghole Ports: The Interplay Between Resource Extraction, Shipping, and Community Deborah Marx and Denise Jaffke Epilogue Amy Gusick Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisExamples of enduring feats of civil engineering endeavour can be seen around the world’s seas and waterways, from the SS Great Britain to the Panama Canal.In this beautifully illustrated book, John Laverick offers an insight into the intriguing field of civil engineering, taking you on a journey that crosses three continents and three centuries, exploring extraordinary achievements including the artificial waterways of the Panama and Suez canals, floating concepts such as the concrete Mulberry harbours, the world’s only rotating ship lift at Falkirk, a man-made island in the Baltic linking the crossings between two countries and the ambitious restoration of the Wilts & Berks Canal.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSpend thirty years or so roaming around Scotland checking out the fishing harbours and you’ll encounter quite the variety of fishing craft. Take pictures of them and you’ll end up with quite the collection of images of how things used to be.Fishing Boats Around Scotland is a compilation of the best of these photos, featuring vessels from over eighty different builders, boats that were built as far back as 1949 and a brief history of what became of them. From Kirkcudbright to Mallaig and Eyemouth to Burghead, ring netters and seiners to pelagic trawlers and beamers, this is the perfect journey for the fishing boat or maritime aficionado.Trade Review“A compilation of the best of the photos from that labour of love, Peter Drummond’s latest book features vessels from over 80 different yards, builds from far back as 1949, and a huge range of vessel types, from old drifters, seiners and ring-netters through to the most modern pelagic boats.” * Fishing News *

Read more less

Book SynopsisBased on extensive research, The Naval History of Wales tells a compelling story that spans nearly 2,000 years, from the Romans to the present.Many Welsh men and women have served in the Royal Navy and the navies of other countries. Welshmen played major parts in voyages of exploration, in the navy’s suppression of the slave trade, and in naval warfare from the Viking era to the Spanish Armada, in the American Civil War, both world wars and the Falklands War.Comprehensive, enlightening, and provocative, The Naval History of Wales also explodes many myths about Welsh history, naval historian J.D. Davies arguing that most Welshmen in the sailing navy were volunteers and that, relative to the size of national populations, proportionately more Welsh seamen than English fought at Trafalgar.Written in vivid detail, this volume is one that no maritime or Welsh historian can do without.

Read more less