Ships and boats: general interest Books
Stenlake Publishing Derbyshire's Canals
Book Synopsis
£11.35
Stenlake Publishing The Making of MacBrayne: A Scottish Transport
Book Synopsis
£63.75
Stenlake Publishing Scotland's West Coast Fishing Industry
Book Synopsis
£10.40
Stenlake Publishing Scotland's Canals and Waterways
Book Synopsis
£11.35
Stenlake Publishing Ships of the Clan Line
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£10.76
Airlife Publishing Ltd Vital Guide: Fighting Ships of World War Ii
Book Synopsis
£9.49
Batsford Ltd Titanic: The World's Largest Liner
Book SynopsisThis is the story of RMS Titanic. In this authoritative and highly illustrated guide we explore what was the largest passenger steamship in the world when she set sail on her maiden voyage from Southampton on 10 April 1912. Just four days later she struck an iceberg and sank, resulting in the deaths of 1,517 people in one of the worst peacetime maritime disasters in history. Here we see how the ship was built, reveal what life was like above and below deck, uncover details of the fatal accident and the aftermath – and consider the world’s fascination with the subject ever since.
£6.64
Taylor & Francis Ltd Maritime Fraud and Piracy
Book SynopsisThe main focus of this book is the impact of maritime fraud on contracts for sale and carriage, documentary credits and marine insurance. It covers all varieties of maritime fraud, from the most serious downwards, describing the methods employed and the risks to traders and carriers. At the serious end of the spectrum, pirates capture an entire ship, often murdering the entire crew, in order to sell the cargo (to which of course they have no title), later to use the “innocent” ship to pose as innocent traders. Less serious (but perhaps of greater interest to lawyers) are misdescriptions of cargo in, or backdating of, bills of lading, and other deceptions, usually practised on purchasers and banks.Table of ContentsChapter 1. Piracy Today Chapter 2. Introduction to Maritime Fraud: Issues Particular to Maritime Fraud Chapter 3. Maritime Fraud and the Sale Contract Chapter 4. Maritime Fraud and the Banks Chapter 5. Maritime Fraud and Carriers Chapter 6. Maritime Fraud and Marine Insurance Chapter 7. Maritime Fraud and Technology
£403.75
Boydell & Brewer Ltd The Buccaneer Explorer: William Dampier's Voyages
Book SynopsisDampier's observations and descriptions are as valid today as they were in the 17th century and this book is to be commended to anyone who is interested in the great early voyages of exploration. THE REVIEW William Dampier [1651-1715] is the most remarkable seaman that England produced in the century and a half between Drake and Captain Cook. They each circumnavigated the world once; Dampier did so three times. He commanded the firstgovernment-funded voyage of discovery with a specific mission to report on matters of government and science. A good seaman, but a bad commander, he spent most of his life as a privateer, buccaneer, or pirate, and his career culminated in the capture of the great treasure galleon sent each year from the New World to Spain. But he was also a great writer, author of the first major English travel book, A New Voyage Round the World, and of scientifictreatises and descriptions of natural history. His expedition to Australia was in many ways disastrous, with his ships being lost; but the book that came out of it, A Voyage to New Holland, is rich in evocative accounts ofthe peoples and places he had found or visited. He was not afraid to record things he could not explain, for `better qualified persons who shall come after me', and his books were reference works used extensively not only by subsequent voyagers but by modern scientists who continue to cite his observations. This edited account of his voyages gives an admirable picture of this fascinating and unorthodox figure in his own words. GERALD NORRIS writes on maritime and musical subjects. His books include West Country Pirates and Buccaneers, Stanford, the Cambridge Jubilee and Tchaikovsky and A Musical Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland.Trade Review[A] very well edited review of Dampier's excellent journals.... [His] reputation has been rehabilitated and enhanced more recently. This fine book has contributed substantially. AUSMARINE William Dampier's writings about his travels and observations are invaluable for those interested in early modern exploration. This new edition demonstrates that Dampier is still very readable after two centuries. * NORTHERN MARINER *Dampier's observations and descriptions are as valid today as they were in the 17th century and this book is to be commended to anyone who is interested in the great early voyages of exploration. THE REVIEW, the journal of the * NHCRA *Dampier represents the wonders of a free and driven spirit. If you wish your soul to escape its present bounds, read this and it will. * THE NAVAL REVIEW *A nicely printed compilation [and] a good sample of Dampier's prose. * GUARDIAN *A model of observational reporting. * REVIEWS IN AUSTRALIAN STUDIES *
£23.74
Anness Publishing Illustrated Guide to Frigates of the World
Book SynopsisThis fully illustrated reference book charts the complete history of frigates, from their post-World War I function as escort vessels, their role as sloops and corvettes, and their subsequent transformation into post-World War II anti-submarine vessels. A country-by-country directory of over 70 classes describes the main characteristics of each vessel. Each entry, with its expert commentary and high-quality photography, is accompanied by a specification box detailing country of origin, displacement, dimensions, armament, machinery, power, performance and protection. A useful glossary containing definitions of key naval terms is included at the back of the book. With its lively narrative and over 235 photographs, this authoritative volume provides historians and enthusiasts with key information about these important naval vessels.
£9.49
The History Press Ltd RMS Lusitania: It Wasn't and It Didn't
Book SynopsisWithin hours of the sinking of RMS Lusitania by a German submarine off the Cork coast in May 1915, a narrative was created which over time became the accepted truth of the incident. Many people today still believe the sinking of the Lusitania was a savage attack on an innocent vessel that brought America into the war. In this book, author and historian Michael Martin raises a series of disturbing questions that challenge this longheld perspective. Examining a raft of old and new evidence suggesting a more sinister function of RMS Lusitania, this book explores the widespread use of civilian vessels within the war effort; it shines a light on the operational response of the Royal Navy in the immediate aftermath of the incident; and it looks at the nature of the response of the United States at this crucial juncture. And, above all, this book questions the narrative that has grown up around one of the most pivotal junctures in the war to end all wars.
£11.69
Bloomsbury USA US Destroyers 194245
Book Synopsis
£11.39
Imray, Laurie, Norie & Wilson Ltd Hidden Harbours of Southwest Scotland
Book SynopsisHidden Harbours of Southwest Scotland is a lively tour of small and infrequently visited harbours on the stunning Scottish coast and its nearby islands, starting from Port Logan in the south and meandering northwards to Lerags on Loch Feochan in the Firth of Lorn. The southwest coast of Scotland is one of the most beautiful cruising areas in the world, combining dramatic scenery with interesting history and landmarks. Many of its shores are lined with old castles and the magnificent historical houses of rich industrialists, reflecting its significance as an area of busy trade. The more recent military developments, which include a wartime torpedo base at Loch Long and the naval headquarters at Faslane on Gare Loch, also have a significant presence. Small harbours further south were shaped by the trade in natural resources and the flow of passengers via Clyde Puffer boats to and from nearby cities such as Glasgow and beyond. Each hidden harbour, many of which are simple but attractive piers or shipways built to support trade, has a story to tell. The book includes a historical overview plus notes on what is to be found at each, alongside full colour photographs and annotated aerial shots. This edition complements the other Hidden Harbours titles in the series by Dag Pike.
£7.50
O'Brien Press Ltd Titanic: True Stories of her Passengers, Crew and
Book SynopsisThis book commemorates the enduring legacy of the world's most famous ship TITANIC. Her story is one of all those bound together on that fateful voyage. On board were: writers, artists, honeymooners, sportsmen, priests, reverends, fashion designers, aristocrats, millionaires, children, crew and emigrants looking for a better life.
£9.99
Pen & Sword Books Ltd ShipCraft 13: New Orleans Class Cruisers
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 class, highlighting differences between sister-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 ships, and provides hints on modifying and improving the basic kit. This is followed by an extensive photographic survey 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.The subject of this volume is the seven-ship New Orleans class, probably the US Navy's most hard-fought heavy cruisers of the War - three were sunk in action but others survived massive damage, and by 1945 three out of four of the navy's most decorated ships were of this class. Although designed within treaty limitations, they proved powerful and well-balanced ships, and their unparalleled fighting record makes them popular modelling subjects.
£13.49
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Yamato Class Battleships
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 class, then moves to an extensive photographic survey of either a high-quality model or a surviving example of the ship. Hints on building the model, and on modifying and improving the basic kit, are followed by a section on paint schemes and camouflage, featuring numerous colour profiles and highly-detailed line drawings. The strengths and weaknesses of available kits of the ships are reviewed, and the book concludes with a section on research references - books, monographs, large-scale plans and relevant websites.The Yamato class battleships of the Imperial Japanese Navy were the largest warships of the Second World War and the largest battleships ever constructed, displacing 78,800 tonnes. They also carried the largest naval artillery ever fitted to a warship - 18in guns. Neither Yamato nor her sistership Musashi made much impact on the War. Musashi was sunk during the battle of Leyte Gulf while Yamato, deployed in a deliberate suicide attack on Allied forces at the battle of Okinawa, was finally sunk by US carrier-based aircraft; Not 300 of her 3,330 crew survived.
£13.49
Pen & Sword Books Ltd HMS Victory
Book SynopsisHMS Victory is probably the best-known historic ship in the world. A symbol of the Royal Navy's achievements during the great age of sail, she is based in Portsmouth and seen by tens of thousands of visitors each year.As is the case for many historic ships, however, there is a surprising shortage of informative and well illustrated guides, for reference during a visit or for research by enthusiasts - ship modellers, naval buffs, historians or students. This new series redresses the gap. Written by experts and containing more than 200 specially commissioned photographs, each title will take the reader on a superbly illustrated tour of the ship, from bow to stern and deck by deck. Significant parts of the vessel - for example, the capstan, steering gear, armament, brody stove, cockpit, stern cabins - are given detailed coverage both in words and pictures, so that the reader has at hand the most complete visual record and explanation of the ship that exists.In addition, the importance of the ship, both in her own time and now as a museum vessel, is explained, while her design and build, her fighting career and her life prior to restoration and exhibition are all described. No other books offer such superb visual impact and detailed information as the Seaforth Historic Ship Series - a truly groundbreaking concept bringing the ships of our past vividly to life.Nominated for the 2011 Mountbatten awards.
£13.49
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Ship Decoration 1630-1780
Book SynopsisThis book is a detailed comparative study of the decorative work - figurehead, topside ornamentation and stern gallery design - carried by the ships of the major maritime states of Europe in the zenith of the sailing era. It covers both warships and the most prestigious merchant ships, the East Indiamen of the great chartered companies. The work began life in the year 2000 when the author was commissioned to carry out research for an ambitious project to build a full-size replica of a Swedish East Indiaman, which produced a corpus of information whose relevance stretched way beyond the immediate requirements of accurately decorating the replica. In tracking the artistic influences on European ship decoration, it became clear that this was essentially the story of the baroque style, its dissemination from France, and its gradual transformation into distinct national variations in Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden. It is an inherently visual subject and the book illustrates developments with numerous photographs of contemporary ship models, paintings and plans, as well as the author's own interpretive illustrations of details. As the first major work on the topic for nearly a century, it will be of obvious appeal to ship modellers and historians, but with comparative examples drawn from architecture and sculpture, it also makes a broader contribution to the history of the applied arts.
£25.50
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Battleships of the Bismarck Class
Book SynopsisThe warships of the World War II era German Navy are among the most popular subject in naval history with an almost uncountable number of books devoted to them. However, for a concise but authoritative summary of the design history and careers of the major surface ships it is difficult to beat a series of six volumes written by Gerhard Koop and illustrated by Klaus-Peter Schmolke. Each contains an account of the development of a particular class, a detailed description of the ships, with full technical details, and an outline of their service, heavily illustrated with plans, battle maps and a substantial collection of photographs. These have been out of print for ten years or more and are now much sought after by enthusiasts and collectors, so this new modestly priced reprint of the series will be widely welcomed. The first volume, appropriately, is devoted to the Kriesmarine's largest and most powerful units, the battleships Bismarck and Tirpitz, whose careers stand in stark contrast to each other - one with a glorious but short life, while the other was to spend a hunted existence in Norwegian fjords, all the time posing a threat to Allied sea communications, while attacked by everything from midget submarines to heavy bombers.
£15.29
Amberley Publishing Cunard: A Photographic History
Book SynopsisIn 1839, Samuel Cunard travelled from his native Nova Scotia to Britain to raise capital to found his fledgling steamship company, which was to be named the British & North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. Quickly shortened to the Cunard Line, the first ship set sail for Canada and America in July 1840 and opened the steamship trade to the Americas. The fleet rapidly expanded to become the dominant force on the transatlantic route, with feeder services from the Mediterranean too. Never having lost a passenger's life at sea, Cunard was also one of the safest of the steamship lines and operating comfortable ships. By the 1900s, few lines could match the company's vessels for speed or luxury and the advent of the four-funnelled Mauretania, Lusitania and Aquitania just confirmed the pre-eminence of the line. During the inter-war years came the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth and the line could boast the fastest and largest ships in the world. Never a line to stand still, in 1969 came Queen Elizabeth 2 and in the 2000s came the world's largest liner, RMS Queen Mary 2.
£19.99
Amberley Publishing Defending Wales: The Coast and Sea Lanes in
Book SynopsisThe arrival of the U-boat in the First War, and the addition of the bomber in the Second brought the Welsh coast and sea lanes into range of German attack. Wales had three important arteries around its coast: the Bristol Channel, St George's Channel, and the Irish Sea. These sea lanes, and the industrial ports surrounding them, were vital to the British war effort, and had to be protected at all costs. Airfields for airships, biplanes, seaplanes, fighters and bombers were established up and down the Welsh coast to combat the threat. Defending Wales tells the stories of the squadrons and flight crews responsible for safeguarding Welsh commerce and industry against a determined enemy in unreliable aircraft and often perilous weather conditions.
£16.14
Gill Lighthouses of Ireland: An Illustrated Guide to
Book Synopsis`I can think of no other edifice constructed by man as altruistic as a lighthouse. They were built only to serve.’ George Bernard Shaw Since ancient times, long before GPS, radio transmission or radar, lighthouses have served as beacons helping ships to navigate Ireland’s sometimes treacherous waters. The earliest lights were simply bonfires built on hillsides; in the fifth century, St Dúbhan established a brazier of burning wood or turf on the headland of Hy Kinsellagh (now known as Hook Head). Today, despite technological advances, these coastal icons continue to serve as crucial navigational aids for the maritime traffic of our island nation, from the smallest leisure crafts to cargo ships and trawlers. By day, they mark the way with their instantly recognisable appearances; at night, by the character of their signals. One flash every two seconds tells a sailor that they are near Valentia Island off the coast of Kerry. Four flashes every twenty seconds means that they are further north, approaching Loop Head in County Clare. As well as representing a unique part of our maritime history and built heritage, lighthouses are a powerful symbol of strength and resilience in times of darkness. This evokes an irresistible fascination with them in many people. Artist Roger O’Reilly grew up near the Boyne Estuary lighthouse in County Meath and ever since has associated a sense of peace and reassurance with the warm glow of lighthouse beacons. He has spent two years criss-crossing the country to draw dramatic portraits of these sentinels of our shores. Gathered in this extraordinary collection, each beloved landmark is accompanied by a wealth of practical and insightful information: history, location, elevation, signal and range. This spectacularly illustrated celebration of these architectural gems will be treasured by anyone who finds comfort, intrigue or excitement in the glimmer of a lighthouse through the darkness.
£22.49
Whittles Publishing Doctor in the Navy
Book SynopsisNational Service, Britain's name for conscription, existed between 1945 and 1963. In that time, two and a half million men were required to serve for two years with the armed forces. For some, it was a miserable penance. For the majority, it was just something that had to be done but for a lucky few, of whom the author was one, it was a time of travel and adventure. Following a six-year medical degree, with a further year of houseman posts, he chose to serve his conscription in the Royal Navy. However, the Navy required only a small number of doctors and selection was by interview in London. Being young, single and tired of the stultifying life of a student, the author opted for a posting in small ships abroad and was delighted to be accepted. The result was a mixture of travel and excitement with cheerful and lively companions in far-flung places including Borneo, Japan, Korea and Hong Kong. As the time for his National Service drew nearer he was unsure of which of the many paths within medicine he was to take. As will be seen, the forthcoming months were to be useful in reaching a decision. This exuberant story is recounted from notes and letters and commences with the author's time at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. 'Put him up in modified Russell Traction,' said the senior surgical registrar, 'and I will pin him in the morning.' Modified Russell Traction? My fellow house surgeon and I had no idea what he meant...Thus began a medical adventure.Trade Review'Bill Yule...has created an easy-to-read and enjoyable book... which brings to vivid life some long-lost aspects of the world of the 1950s and early 1960s. ... The book is a good, fun read which also reminds us of a naval past when Bill Yule was able to see more Royal Naval aircraft carriers in one harbour than now serve in the whole navy.' Events
£14.24
Whittles Publishing Palm Oil and Small Chop
Book SynopsisPalm oil is the quintessence of West Africa - it is complex, an acquired taste and reckoned to be rather unhealthy. Small chop is the addition of ingredients that make it palatable for European taste. From the unique perspective of working aboard merchant ships trading to the area, the author provides a viewpoint of the first 25 years of West African independence - it is simultaneously the story of the final years of many of the British Merchant Navy's liner trades where fortunes largely depended upon imperial routes. The author served in ships of three very different shipping companies, two British and one Nigerian, and from this unusual breadth of experience, a fascinating story of ships, their crews, their cargoes and the peoples from Senegal to Angola is told. The last of the famous surf ports, the navigation of the twisting waterways of the Niger Delta and the ascent of the great Congo River are vividly described. A colourful picture is painted of the astonishing variety of cargoes and how ships almost literally felt their way across treacherous mudbanks, picked their way through mangrove-bordered creeks with local pilots boarding from canoes. The reader also meets the local inhabitants who include hard-working men from the desert interior, their more wily brethren from the coastal regions, itinerant traders and plausible rogues, the cowed workers of Portuguese Angola and, above all, the famous Kroomen of Freetown who helped work the ships around this intriguing coast of crashing surf and foetid creeks. With the fortunes of the new nations faltering, the Palm Line ships are forced to find work in other trades. The author experiences daily life in Poland under martial law, later finding himself on voyages to Brazil, the Indian sub-continent and Australia aboard ships primarily designed for the West African ports. Told sympathetically, yet with a keen eye for the absurd and downright funny, this is a lively, informative story of ordinary people trying to make a living in a world where events, over which they have no control, change their lives irreversibly.Trade Review'...it deserves to be read by anyone interested in the maritime tade and economic history of West Africa. ...it will surely come to be seen by historians as a significant primary source, particularly as regards the social relations and operational details of merchant shipping to "the Coast." It is an extremely good read: written in a colloquial - at times even racy - style, with some excellent anecdotes and vivid evocations of people and places, I found it hard to put down.' International Journal of Maritime History '... I would highly recommend the book to our readers.' Shipping Today and Yesterday 'This delightful book... ...has a sub-plot: a chronicle of the final years of the British Merchant Navy's liner trades where fortunes largely depended upon imperial routes.' Telegraph 'Well written, often humourous account of the author's time spent working aboard merchant ships trading to West Africa. ... Highly recommended.' Sea Breezes 'The best books by seafarers succeed in combining a personal narrative retaining the reader's interest with a vivid description of a trade and a way of life which have both passed. John Goble's account of his life in three companies trading between the UK and West Africa is certainly one of the best this reviewer has read. ...But it is West Africa, in all its fascinating richness and at times poverty, seen from the bridge and offices or a cargo liner, that is the focus of this book, and one doubts whether it could have been better observed or recorded. ...its content is all but priceless.' Ships in Focus Record '...the author has many other fascinating experiences to convey in lively detail and language... ...there are beautiful and fascinating places to visit... ...vividly conveys the liveliness, humour, mood changes and bizarre customs on the coast. Thankfully, the narrative is all the more authentic and evocative in being devoid of the curse of political correctmess. ...is very well written.' QSO. 'John Goble weaves over two decades of personal experience working aboard British merchant ships from the 1960s through the mid-1980s with historical accounts of maritime trade with West Africa. Through his articulate composition and intimate collection of photographs, Goble invites readers into a world of hard work, hierarchy, and distinct experiences. Goble's account is exceptional... ...one of the rare depictions of West African trade is both narrative and visual. ...these historical and cultural accounts enhance the flavor of the upcoming selection and provide the reader with context. ... In addition to these hidden gems, a selection of Goble's personal photographs related to West African trade supplements the rich writing of Palm Oil. ...Goble's exquisite memoir, encapsulating his collective experience at sea and inviting readers to embark on one of their own.' Sea History
£16.14
Whittles Publishing Oriental Endeavour
Book SynopsisAs a sequel to the successful Rats, Rust and Two Old Ladies, the story of Oriental Endeavour begins when the author delivers a tugboat from Avonmouth to Buchanan in war-torn Liberia. Four years later, he is asked to command one of two tugboats for delivery from West Africa to Singapore and, despite being renamed, he soon realises this is the same boat. Along with its sister, Oriental Tug No. 2 has been terribly neglected whilst in Liberia and requires extensive repairs at Las Palmas. The 11-day trip becomes particularly memorable due to a funnel fire, the discovery of a stowaway, a wheelhouse that is no longer water-tight and bad weather. En route to Malta they are battered by a violent storm and Roland, the unfriendly rat, is sighted. After a short stay in fly-infested Djibouti, they successfully avoid Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden and attempt their first crossing of the Indian Ocean which is thwarted by further machinery failure and partial flooding of some cabins. After 13 weeks they arrive in a muddy backwater creek in Singapore where the owner mysteriously declines to show his face. Before sailing from Buchanan the ships were visited by employees of timber companies involved in gun-running and the illegal stripping of Liberia's hardwood forests. Were blood diamonds from Sierra Leone concealed on board? Ex-President Charles Taylor of Liberia is on trial at the Hague - will the truth ever be known?Trade Review'A fantastic tale of two tugboats which is crammed full of adventure, accidents and excitement. ... A first-rate story that is a real page-turner from start to finish. A great sequel to Creamer's previous book, Rats, Rust and Two Old Ladies'. Sea Breezes 'A fascinating tale of accident, adventure and intrigue at sea. ...sufficient material for a Hollywood epic? You read, you decide! It really is a fascinating account'. Ned Middleton '...His latest work has the same mix of humour and unlikely encounters that has made his sea-going life a rich tapestry of adventure and unforgettable experiences. ...every dilemma guaranteed to trigger a sharp intake of breath and a smile'. Yachting Life '...an equally enjoyable and well-written tale of two tugboats. ... This is a rollicking tale of the sea, penned with a great deal of warmth and humour, and engagingly entertaining'. Nautilus Telegraph 'This is a very entertaining read, well written, and I would highly recommend the book to our readers'. SHIPPING - Today & Yesterday 'Another lively and readable book from the author of Rats, Rust and Two Old Ladies. ... The scene is set for another adventure which will amuse and delight the reader, even though we realise it was not nearly so amusing at the time. ... This is an another entertaining book by a very capable author, and is highly recommended.' International Tugmasters Association
£17.09
Whittles Publishing Halcyon in the Hebrides
Book SynopsisTo celebrate 60 years of sailing Scottish waters, the author single-handedly sailed Halcyon, a 32' wooden yawl, from Fairlie on the Clyde, round the Mull of Kintyre by way of numerous inner islands to Barra in the Outer Hebrides and to the Atlantic side of the islands, not often visited by cruising yachts. Bad weather forced a diversion to explore the sea lochs of the west coast of Harris and Lewis, the islands of Taransay (of the BBC's Castaway series) and Scarp, famed for its ingenious 'Rocket Post' experiment. While visiting these numerous islands, he met local people and experienced the sometimes violent extremes of weather such as when he was storm-bound in Stornoway for several days. There are stories galore about the island people, snippets of interesting history, legends and folklore, tales of the sea and island life, the Hebridean fishermen and lighthouses - thus uncovering another dimension of island life. Bob recounts his travels and tales, some previously unpublished, in a relaxed and highly-readable style. As well as being a unique travel book, it is an insight into the rapidly-changing ways of island life and a useful sailing guide to the Western Isles and anchorages in the Hebrides. It would be of immeasurable help to sailors keen to venture into some of the lesser-known sailing areas of Western Scotland. This vivid and entertaining story of adventurous sailing among Scotland's beautiful but challenging Western Isles will be enjoyed by keen sailors and armchair travellers alike - a truly memorable journey of over 1000 miles!Trade Review'...this book presents its readers with a fine opportunity - to journey with him. ...he reveals encounters, supplies appropiate connections, provides historical insights through anecdotes, but, above all, he is a combination of a skipper and steward who, through his words, embodies the essence of good company.' Scottish Island Explorer '...it is an adventure... ...and ready for sharing. ...a valuable sailing guide for those planning to embark on such an expedition. ... For the less adventurous among us, find a couple of quiet hours, board a comfy armchair, sit back and enjoy the journey.' Whitehaven News 'The Hebridean Islands are not for the faint hearted, but the rewards for the plucky cruiser are great. Bob Orrell delved into 60 years of cruising the area to rediscover the thrill and beauty of this treacherous coastline, this time sailing single-handed.' Sailing Today 'Along the way, the author rejoiced and grimaced through Scotland's changeable weather; met fascinating people and visited places with fabulous stories, enjoyed adventures and described Scotland's amazing western coastline through a sailor's eyes. Bob is a lovely writer and brings to life the atmosphere and sights of his intrepid expedition around one of the most stunning coastal areas of Scotland.' FionaOutdoors '...a wonderful book. Well written, engaging, and unusually compelling for a work of non-fiction, this is a book that reveals the Hebrides in what for many readers will be an entirely new light.' Undiscovered Scotland
£16.14
Whittles Publishing Mariner's Rest
Book SynopsisThis is the well-written account of Jonathan Carridia's final years at sea as a senior second and chief officer. He chronicles the events that led him to leave the sea before being confirmed in a period of temporary command and relates the gruelling interview processes before being accepted as a mature student. Jonathan describes in atmospheric terms incidents in the Far East and the initial awe he experienced when joining a very large supertanker - the class of ship for which he had yearned since his early days as a cadet. Following a spate of serious accidents leading to loss of life and vessel, Jonathan's decisive role in questioning and challenging the casual approach to maritime practices current at that time is excellently portrayed...Once arrangements were confirmed I relaxed completely and savoured my final couple of voyages navigating this magnificent ship as extra chief officer...I remained convinced that 'swallowing the anchor' and venturing into a new career was the correct course for me to follow. The challenges of navigation and collision avoidance, plus the comradeship I had experienced at sea would truly be missed, but other than that I would leave the Merchant Navy without regrets. It was time to move on in life and doubtless carry a raft-load of diverse experiences and countless happy memories along with me. Thus concludes the third in the maritime trilogy by Ray Solly which will be of special appeal to those who have already enjoyed Mariner's Launch and Mariner's Voyage.Trade Review'This true-to-life adventure story of a young man's maritime career will ring true with many seafarers, being appreciated by veteran and young sailors alike. ... This is a very good read and I would highly recommend it to our readers.' Shipping Today & Yesterday 'Based closely on real incidents - but naming no real names - the story follows Jonathan as he reaches the peak of his seafaring career in the 1970s, rising to the rank of chief officer while serving on a variety of cargoships. ...suddenly a vividly-described incident will grab the reader's attention. ...here lies the strength of this book - it may not be perfect, but the author has been there and done it himself.' Nautilus Telegraph
£16.14
Whittles Publishing To Auckland by the Ganges
Book SynopsisIn 1863 there was only one method of travelling from Britain to the other side of the world - by sailing ship, on a journey that could take up to four months, when the vagaries of wind and weather could put travellers in peril during long voyages. The offer of grants of land in New Zealand was a means of enticing emigrants to the fledgling colony, particularly people who had a skill to offer. One such emigrant was David Buchanan, a journalist and editor of several prominent Scottish newspapers, who opted for a new life in the hope that the health and fortunes of his family would improve. He travelled with his surviving son and three daughters, having lost his wife giving birth to their ninth child. Using his journalistic skills, Buchanan maintained a daily journal of the voyage which was published twice-weekly in his former newspaper, the Glasgow Herald. His account blended accurate details of the vessel and its handling with anecdotal tales and experiences providing interesting snapshots of mid-nineteenth century life. His devotion to detail suggests a passenger's keen eye upon the operation and progress of the vessel by the ship's crew. Of especial interest is the description of daily life aboard a mid-19th century sailing ship, and the interaction between passengers and crew. The clear class distinction between cabin and steerage class passengers, as well as the many pitfalls and potential injuries to passengers and crew that are described will make illuminating reading. Upon reaching New Zealand Buchanan and his fellow passengers had stepped into the unrest of the Maori Wars, which were closely reported in British newspapers such as the Glasgow Herald. David Buchanan and his family may have settled and led a prosperous life but whatever befell him, he is due our gratification for providing an interesting and valued account of experiences on a voyage during the dominant era of sailing ships.Trade Review'...The result is an utterly fascinating book that should be regarded as essential reading for anyone interested in the story of Scotland. ... the insights gained from reading this book add a previously unseen dimension to the stories of so many Scots'. Undiscovered Scotland '...this travelogue is a gentle reminder of an age when the other side of the globe was half a year's trek away. ...it's full of detail of travelling under sail. ...Buchanan's comments on his fellow passengers reveal a man with an eye for colour...' The Herald '...his lively and intelligent account of the voyage of the Ganges, with 260 emigrants aboard, was written in the style to which his educated readers were accustomed. ...the rare perspective of a professional jounalist and revealed his intimate understanding of the life of people on board an emigrant passenger ship. ... David Buchanan and Robert M. Grogans have provided us with an interesting and valuable record of the experience of migration in this portrait of everyday life on board an emigrant ship during the age of sail.' The Northern Mariner/Le marin du nord '...Robert Grogans has edited, streamlined and modernized the text, providing a short introduction, many useful endnotes, a helpful maritime glossary and a description of sail-handling. ...a useful primary source for migration historians interested in the sea passage itself, and for those seeking first-hand accounts of passenger travel and seafaring in the age of sail'. International Journal of Maritime History 'In this interesting publication Robert Grogans has brought to light a serialised set of newspaper articles by David Buchanan chronicling his sea voyage to New Zealand, originally published in the Glasgow Herald in early 1864. Carefully footnoted and edited for a modern audience, Buchanan's lively account will no doubt be of interest to anyone researching the migration experience in the 1860s. ... A maritime historian would be fascinated by this account. ... Robert Grogans must be congratulated for bringing this very interesting shipboard diary to light and the book should be well utilised by maritime and family historians seeking an insight into the migration voyage in the 1860s.' Review of Scottish Culture
£16.14
Whittles Publishing Kirkcudbright's Prince of Denmark: And Her
Book SynopsisThis is the story of the unusually long and interesting career of a small Scottish schooner spent primarily in the southern hemisphere. From the construction of the vessel to the careers of those who sailed in her, the story is full of rogues, heroes, the famous and infamous, as well as ordinary people calmly going about their daily business in tempestuous and difficult times. Visionary colonists, whalers, sealers, Maoris, botanists, butchers, missionaries, cannibals, convicts, aristocrats, explorers and more are linked in this narrative and thereby exemplify the courage, skill and vision of people who experience hardship, danger and adversity in their quest for riches in colonial lands.Trade Review'...is a great achievement...the fascinating reconstruction of the 75 years of maritime service of this vessel... David Collin has...successfully brought the Prince of Denmark back to life, telling its story with passion and an insightful eye. ...he deserves high praise, and I commend the work to the bookshelf of all who relish a good narrative and a fascinating tale'. The Great Circle -------------------- '...is a truly remarkable book. ... If ever a book deserved to be called a labour of love, then this is it. The result is extensive referencing of original material such as personal and business correspondence, press reports and the ship's own logs. ... The author gives as much attention to the many men who owned, captained and crewed the Prince of Denmark as he does to the ship herself, and the effect is to bring vividly to life a period in our colonial past which is far less well known than it deserves to be'. Undiscovered Scotland 'Collin's richly illustrated and meticulously researched book tells the story of this remarkable ship... Among the rich cast of characters to come in contact with her were missionaries, prominent politicians, explorers, naturalists, ex-convicts and fraudsters. ...uses excerpts from their detailed logs to paint a vivid picture of life aboard'. Dumfries & Galloway Life 'An incredible account of a single ship. ... During her 74 years afloat under her original name, this ship encountered; Colonists, whalers, sealers, Maoris, botanists, missionaries, cannibals, convicts, aristocrats, explorers and seamen - with each encounter being worthy of a book (film even) in its own right. ...I would recommend the book because, just as soon as you start reading, you will find it hard to put down. ...an excellent example of research resulting in the most intriguing tale of a vessel from yesterday I have ever read'. Ned Middleton '...documents the story of how small Scottish schooner Prince of Denmark contributed to the development of the sustainability of the Australian and New Zealand economies. It is a detailed and immaculately researched piece of work... ...a fascinating insight into how the extraordinary skill of the Scottish shipbuilders combined to produce a reowned and respected ship that became vital for trade across the Southern Hemisphere. ...you'll definitely enjoy this book.' The Lifeboat 'This is an absorbing book that would be enjoyed by genealogists and social historians of the 19th century as well as readers of general history... David Collin has without a doubt written a masterclass in original maritime research'. History ScotlandTable of ContentsAn Old Caledonian Beginning; Following in the Wake; A Colonial Venture; Merchants, Mystery, Missionaries and Maoris; A Curious and Rich Old Fellow; The Ship's Logs; The Whale Trade; Below Decks; The Isles of the Navigators; Kelly's Boom Years; The End of Shore Whaling; A Troubled Voyage; Planks, Palings and Petty Crime; A Chinese Banquet; From Sea-slugs to Sperm Whales; A New Caledonian Ending; A Ghostly Rising; Epilogue; Sources; Glossary; Appendices; Index
£17.99
Whittles Publishing Ate the Dog Yesterday: Maritime Casualties,
Book SynopsisA selection of true-life dramas that chronicle the perils and misfortunes faced by deep-sea sailing ships of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It relates the dangers faced and the battles waged, and all too often lost, against the hazards of the sea. Shipboard work was hard and often routinely dangerous for crews who bore the extraordinary hardships as their duty to obey their captains and drive their ships to a safe port to discharge or take on cargoes. From remarkable voyages, mutinies, hoaxes, curiosities and disease, to messages in a bottle, this book has a fund of amazing tales and will engross the reader - maritime historian, sailor (whether retired , current or armchair), or anyone with an interest in the sea and tales of adventure.Trade Review`…is part drama but all factual record of those years when shipwreck was commonplace, taken mainly from the Casualty columns of Lloyd’s list newspaper. Great disasters…are reported, plus many others, in this weighty book; hours of discovery await the armchair sailor or maritime historian. There is treasure here…’ Dog Watch -------------------- 'I would highly recommend this book to our readers'. Shipping Today and Yesterday -------------------- '...provide an eye-watering record of stranding, injury, mutiny, disease, murder, disaster and various other calamities from the heyday of deep-sea commercial sail. ...also provides a few interesting snapshots into the day-to-day life of sailors, including what they ate and what they encountered on reaching their exotic destinations'. Lifeboat -------------------- '...a pleasure to read, well written and truly captivating. ... A perfect Christmas read for any who enjoys maritime tales of adventure'. Sea Breezes -------------------- 'This is a veritable treasure chest of, as the sub-title says, maritime casualties, calamities and catastrophes'. FLASH -------------------- '...there will be much interest for you...the mix of black humour, harrowing witness accounts and tall tales is actually rather apt for a work on maritime culture and history'. Nautilus Telegraph -------------------- 'If you're looking for dramatic seafaring yarns then Graham Faiella's book is stuffed full of them. ... Here are stories of shipwrecks, disease, bizarre accidents, pirates and of some remarkable survivals. ... This is a fascinating book to dip into and a helpful reference work for those who want a greater appreciation of the dangers our ancestors faced at sea.' Who Do You Think You Are
£27.00
Whittles Publishing Under a Yellow Sky: A Tale of the Sea and Coming
Book SynopsisUnder a Yellow Sky paints a canvas of life aboard a Merchant Navy ship in the early 1970s. Simon, a dreamer who steps into this different world, uncovers much of the magic of the sea, although also encounters brutality, dizzying hard work and frightening bouts of violence. From the rigidity of naval college, to the debauchery of the East, this is a vivid portrait of a world now disappeared. A well-written book that will appeal to all who are interested in ships and shipping, modern and maritime history, and those who enjoy well-told traveler's tales of fascinating people and places.Trade Review'Simon Hall's new book, however, stands out from the crowd - being not only very well writtten, but also thoughtful and reflective. ... His fine writting style draws the reader in and captures the magic and chaos of foreign ports, the fear and exhilaration of working in a bosun's chair 80ft above a rolling deck, the Dickensian work of tank cleaning onboard an ageing tanker, and the deep camaraderie... ...vivid memories of his cadetship demonstrate clearly that deep and lasting personal impact of his sea training... His finely observed and well written book...' Nautilus Telegraph 'I always enjoy books about the golden era of the British Merchant Navy, and this is no exception. I would highly recommend it to our readers'. Shipping Today and Yesterday '...a colourful memior... As he tramped around the backwaters of the world he discovered the magic of the sea and encountered people from across the whole spectrum of human behaviour.' Julian Stockwin '...paints a vivid picture of the life of a cadet in the early 1970's from the time the author joins a rusty old tanker in Hamburg to the end of his apprenticeship. He doesn't shrink talking about the tough reality of life at sea. ...there is humour and what ultimately shrines through is the author's understanding of and his respect and love for the seafarer's way of life. ...a fascinating and often incisive commentary of men working together in tough demanding circumstances. Highly recommended'. Sea Breezes
£16.14
Whittles Publishing Chasing Conrad: A Tale of the Sea and a Glimpse
Book SynopsisSimon Hall's second book is set in the mid-1970s during the closing years of the golden age of British shipping, when cargo carriage at sea saw radical change and the romance of being at sea in old-style cargo ships came to an end. Hall's account is of five years during which he worked as a junior officer in the Far East and South Pacific. This is no ordinary memoir; the prose is vividly expressed, often shocking, sometimes elegiac as evidenced by his description of a night watch in the Indian Ocean: alone on the bridge wing in the warm tropical night, I heard the wind sing through the stays as an Aeolian harp and I felt anointed by my good fortune. His descriptions of jaunts in forgotten parts of the world are strikingly expressed and there is added poignancy from the charting of Hall's struggle against decline into alcohol abuse, expressed in a way that is in turn both sad and shocking: I ordered another cold beer and lit another cigarette, then sat with the ghost of my past dreams while the afternoon died around us and we surveyed the wreckage of all my hopes. This is an important work that captures an age now vanished, written in a style too rarely encountered.Trade Review'Book of the month... Hall is a gifted writer and for those of us who sailed on similar ships, it will awaken many memories of how life at was then. This book is a must buy! Highly recommended'. Sea Breezes ------------------- '...There are many humorous as well as fraught episodes in this book, all of which would be interesting and entertaining for his readers...' QSO -------------------- '...I enjoyed his descriptions of jaunts to various parts of the world... This, along with his first volume, is an important work that captures the spirit of an era of our maritime heritage now vanished but bridged for us by works such as this'. Julian Stockwin -------------------- 'His is a book of recollection and memories, rare in that unlike most such books by old sailors, he recalls the bad times as well as the good; a young man chasing Conrad and a rapidly disappearing way of life'. Lloyd's List -------------------- '...superior seafaring memoir...his compelling narrative...he vividly and entertainingly evokes the people, places and vessels he encountered, creating an accomplished work which deserves a wide audience'. Nautilus Telegraph
£16.14
Whittles Publishing Southern Lights: The Scottish Contribution to New
Book SynopsisSouthern Lights recounts the story of how New Zealand lighthouses were established through the transfer of technology from Scotland to New Zealand over a period of almost 90 years. This resulted in most of New Zealand's lighthouses being fully or partially built using Scottish materials and expertise. The major Scottish contribution was the professional services provided by the firm founded by Robert Stevenson. The firm of David and Thomas Stevenson took on the first commissions and its successor companies over a period of 80 years were Consulting Lighthouse Engineers to the New Zealand Government. They arranged tenders, advised on technology, supervised manufacture and dispatch of lighthouse components and stores, and much more, proving invaluable to the New Zealand Agent-General in London. It was on this basis that in the period 1859 to 1941, 38 major lighthouses were built; 30 of which were constructed between 19865 and 1897. Thirty-three were built using Scottish-designed and built lanterns and apparatus and Scottish-designed lenses, although these were of French or English manufacture. Of the other five, two were eventually replaced by Scottish lighthouses, two were upgraded with Scottish technology and the fifth remains the sole example of English lighthouse design, although in its time was supplied with Scottish equipment. Scotland also supplied trained professionals who manned the lights, designed and administered them.Trade Review`This book gives an excellent account of the political background... ...it also paints a vivid picture of the logistical problems of shipping delicate and expensive equipment across the globe as well as demonstrating the efficiency of the Stevenson firm. The complete history of each lighthouse, including those built after 1913, is described in exhaustive detail down to the twentieth century. ... The book is crammed with facts and with transcriptions of letters and specifications... This book has copious references, and the numerous transcriptions of archival material are useful for a lighthouse historian. ...it has some excellent illustrations’. Engineering History and Heritage -------------------- `...well-written enlightening account that will appeal to all lighthouse enthusiasts and anyone interested in the maritime history of New Zealand’. Sea Breezes -------------------- `Southern Lights has been meticulously researched. ...contains some wonderful images of the lighthouses - some no longer standing - and a number of archival plans and charts. An interesting title...' LAMP -------------------- '...highly recommended to anyone with an interest in lighthouses, whether in New Zealand or Scotland, or more widely... ...a book which is going to have enduring value as a work of reference long into the future. ... The depth of research that underpins it is reflected in the long lists of references that conclude each chapter. Despite this the book remains approachable and readable, and fascinating. ...superbly illustrated... ...the best book anyone is ever going to be able to write about its subject and is a real pleasure to read'. Undiscovered Scotland
£17.99
Whittles Publishing Last Voyage to Wewak: A Tale of the Sea, West
Book SynopsisThis is a thought-provoking work, capturing the march of time which overtook the maritime world in the last quarter of the 20th century. The final crumbling of the British register caused officers like Hall to find themselves in a strange new world, sailing under flags of convenience with all the old certainties of life at sea having vanished. There is both sadness and a rage at seeing a way of life disappear forever under the wheels of commerce, made more poignant by the author himself swallowing the anchor and moving on. Expelled from Indonesia as an undesirable, medically discharged in Honolulu, confined in Nigeria, Hall's turbulent life takes him from West Africa to Japan, from Europe to the Persian Gulf to the South Pacific. At last a Master Mariner, he serves on one last break-bulk general cargo ship, before transferring to the new maritime world. The prose is as elegantly expressed as in his earlier works. Steaming along the Yemeni coast, he writes: The bleakness of the South Yemen coastline made the green sea seem sharper in contrast, almost emerald in colour.The sun sat as a bright white orb in a blue white sky, the colours scourged out by dust blown offshore from the desert interior. In a typhoon near the Macclesfield Bank: Us; wild-eyed in the wheelhouse, braced against the forward bulkhead, awaiting our fate, helpless against a show of nature's fickle anger that could take us down among the fishes before we could cry Noo-ooooo...Maturity and marriage finally see off his tendency towards alcohol abuse: I began to yearn to make myself a better person and abandon the self-serving creature I had become. Wistful, unvarnished, droll, in powerless rage against the changes, this is an important companion to Hall's previous acclaimed books, a fine work that captures, in arresting style, the life of men who go down to the sea in ships. .Trade Review`...this is another gripping and thought provoking book...The author writes compellingly about his life at sea... Highly recommended and if you have not read the author's other two books, treat yourself now'. Sea Breezes -------------------- `Return of the master of maritime memoir. Hard-drinking, hard-living ship's officer Simon Hall is back for the third instalment of his acclaimed maritime memoir... ...there are salty anecdotes aplenty... ...Hall's thoughtful, intelligent writing, which informs as well as entertains. ...all is written in the same engaging style that characterised his previous books'. Nautilus Telegraph-------------------'Simon Hall deserves great credit for bringing this exotic landscape back to colourful life'. The Bulletin, Liverpool Nautical Research Society
£16.14
Whittles Publishing Diving for Treasure: Discovering history in the
Book SynopsisThis book recounts the efforts over many years to dive wrecks that contained treasure in one form or another. The often prolonged and sometimes dangerous expeditions tell of dives to many ships that were wrecked while carrying tons of gold or other valuables. Many of the wrecks came to lie at great depths which demanded considerable diving expertise using rebreathers which allowed longer dives to be performed.The authors are both diving experts and in addition to the accounts and historical pictures they have added their own photography to convey to the reader the challenges of the dives undertaken. The technical demands were considerable, from adjusting the camera housing to accommodate the depth to diving at particular times of the year because many of the wrecks were situated in areas of high seas and extreme currents. Many of these wrecks have been the subject of concerted efforts from salvage teams but success could never be assumed.It took several years to visit and photograph the wrecks mentioned in the book which provides a fascinating account of the vessels and their treasure, and the challenges of diving in what can be a dangerous environment. Each entry provides details and a brief history of the vessel and the means of its demise, enhanced by a modern diving account with photographs. As such the book will be of great interest to all divers whether active or armchair, and to anyone with an interest in maritime/military history.Trade Review`This book is a must for your collection’. SubSea -------------------- `...each of the individual stories are brief but well written...there was plenty of detail on the ships and their fate. I particularly liked that the authors have dived many of the wrecks... ...very good illustrations and some remarkably good underwater pictures taken in very poor conditions in the North Sea. I really enjoyed this book which will appeal to all you wreck hunters out there...' Scottish Diver -------------------- BOOK OF THE MONTH! - `The photographs are really engaging and really give a sense to what it must have been like exploring these wrecks that lie on the ocean floor. A thoroughly enjoyable book written and compiled by two authors who, as technical CCR divers and photographers, clearly know their subject. Highly recommended'. Sea Breezes -------------------- `This is a well put together book backed up with good photographs and I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in this area'. Shipping Today & Yesterday -------------------- `...will appeal to all those who venture into Neptune's underwater realm, whether active or armchair, and to anyone with an interest in maritime/,military history'. Bosun's Chronicle -------------------- `...This is a well put together book backed up with good photographs and I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in this area'. Shipping Today & Yesterday -------------------- `...provides histories of a good range of sunken ships from the 19th and 20th centuries, and has high-quality illustrations throughout ... it's an attractive publication and an easy read'. Nautilusint.org
£17.09
Whittles Publishing World Heritage Canal: Thomas Telford and the
Book SynopsisThomas Telford was arguably the greatest civil engineer Britain has ever produced. This book reveals his humble beginnings and then describes his self-propelled rise from journeyman stonemason to famous canal engineer. In 1793 Telford was appointed principal engineer on the Ellesmere Canal (now the Llangollen Canal) in North Wales. An 11-mile section of the canal, including his magnificent Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, has recently been granted UNESCO World Heritage status, putting it in the company of such international icons as the Taj Mahal, the Statue of Liberty, and the Tower of London. Completed in 1805, the aqueduct represented a stupendous advance in civil engineering; but it was designed for canal boats and tucked away in a relatively unfrequented valley. Following a rapturous opening ceremony and initial commercial success, a decline of the canal system from about 1840 onwards made it look increasingly redundant. The richly-deserved UNESCO award has put the aqueduct and its canal back in the limelight. This is a personal and professional story, putting Telford's work into its historical and social context, showing him as a remarkable mix of good-natured ambition, talent and resilience. Today there is great interest in Britain's transport infrastructure. The 19th-century engineers who did so much to pioneer and improve it are rightly seen as heroes. It will be appreciated how much is owed to Telford and others for creations that have stood the test of time, built with courage and daring, in an age when major construction projects relied heavily on pickaxes, wheelbarrows, and an extraordinary amount of hard physical labour.Trade Review'...this excellent book...an ideal companion...much more than a guide, it is also a history book and part biography...it is the tribute to the work of a great engineer'. Spout Magazine-------------------'..A beautifully produced and very handsomely illustrated book ... a wonderful and highly informative addition to the literature on Thomas Telford ... I hope it will encourage more people to visit Pontcysyllte and the Llangollen Canal'. Tim Rolt-------------------'...As well as the excellent narrative, the book is very well illustrated with many splendid images of this engineering marvel'. Coventry Canal Society-------------------'...this highly readable book, with many and varied illustrations (photographs, maps, reproductions of paintings and engineering drawings) which help to bring the subject to life alongside many quotes from a rich variety of sources'. Cuttings Magazine, Shropshire Union Canal Society
£16.14
Whittles Publishing HARD DOWN! HARD DOWN!: The Life and Times of
Book SynopsisHard Down! Hard Down! describes the eventful life of a Shetland man in pursuit of his ambitions - to reach the top in his profession, to find a wife, to cherish a family, to do his job well and to be respected by his peers. The account is enlivened by extracts from numerous well-chosen family letters, diaries and postcards revealing the minutiae of shipboard and family life 120 years ago. These include a bachelor night out in 'Frisco, buying slippers in Dantzig and a captain who changed his underclothes at midweek because he could not remember which weekend his wife had suggested! After four years as a fisherman in the stormy waters around Shetland, John Isbester chose to spend his next forty years in large square-rigged sailing ships from Liverpool at a time when shipping casualties were all too common. Remarkable feats of survival and tragic deaths are described with clarity and detail. Happier times are also remembered with picnics in Sydney harbour with captain, family and friends transported in the ship's longboat, rowed by the eight apprentices. John Isbester's wife, and sometimes their children, sailed with him on several year-long voyages accompanied by her upright piano. Her letters provide an extra dimension, describing conditions ashore in Sydney, 'Frisco, Antwerp and La Rochelle. She also describes the birth aboard ship of her ninth child! Extracts from the diary of an observant young Scots solicitor on a voyage from Liverpool to Sydney provide many insights into the nature of life aboard a large square-rigged sailing ship on a long voyage. The author, also a professional mariner, has compiled a record of the life of his grandfather from diligent research of shipping records held in the many parts of the world to which John Isbester sailed. Technical issues are illustrated with numerous diagrams for the reader and there are new insights into the loss of the Dalgonar and the acclaimed saving of 26 of the crew.Trade Review'The narrative and letters weave you into the lives of John and Susie Isbester... I recommend the book to all, as a good historic record of life in Shetland and the 19th Century seafarer but to those whose profession is the sea, its content will be truly understood'. The Journal, The Honourable Company of Master Mariners -------------------- '...a riveting account of the life of a man who spent years as a Shetland fisherman and the next forty in square-rigged ships out of Liverpool'. The Marine Quarterly -------------------- `This entertaining book describes the eventful life of a Shetland man in pursuit of his ambitions... A great read that's a real page-turner'. Sea Breezes -------------------- `It is very thoroughly referenced. Very well produced... ...this is well up to Whittles' high standards. An absolute must tread for those interested in both the sailing era and the social history of Shetland and highly enjoyable for a far wider audience. Highly recommended'. South West Soundings -------------------- `...insight into Shetland society and the world of trading under sail'. Yachting Monthly -------------------- `...evokes that lost world with an immediacy that is remarkably compelling. ...engaging and accessible style that makes this book a joy to read. ...we really gain an insight into the world in which he lived - and across which he repeatedly sailed'. Undiscovered Scotland -------------------- `...this powerful personal account of one such seafarer explains many of the reasons that lie beneath the heritage. It vividly explains the social and economic drivers that fuelled Shetland seafaring and delivers deep insight in the often harsh and dangerous conditions in which crews worked. His evocative firsthand accounts are enhanced by his wife's letters... ...as well as some lovely old photographs and official reports and logs. The pages are peppered with fascinating stories... ...this is a moving a memorable book...' Nautilus International -------------------- `This is a very well written book telling a fascinating story of a bygone era and I would highly recommend it to our readers'. Shipping Today and Yesterday-------------------'...A fine example of a maritime biography which makes gripping reading'. Alston Kennerley, University of Plymouth, UK-------------------'...a beautiful book about the last chapter of deep water sailing ships...a wonderful insight into a maritime world that can still teach us a great deal about seafarers and seafaring, shipping and the sea...is a wonderful piece of work, illuminating the final years of sail in an accomplished fashion, accompanied by maps, diagrams and a clear explanation about the ships, the cargoes and how they were sailed. If I hadn't alredy read it, I would ask for it for Christmas'. Lloyd's List--------------------'...takes the reader back in time 120 years, revealing minutiae of not only shipboard conditions but family life in the Shetlands and ports of call'. Bosun's Chronicle-----------------'...I was 'hooked' and couldn't put the book down until the very last page...is greatly enhanced by the many diagrams, photographs and family letters...we have all thoroughly enjoyed the story of Captain John Ibester and his family'. Coontin Kin, Shetland Family History Society-------------------'...is also a social history of a seafaring family...The handsome square-rigger's story forms a large part of the book which is satisfying in its technical detail and many accounts of shipboard work and life'. The Dog Watch-------------------'...beautifully crafted and detailed biography of his grandfather...brings to life this remarkable Shetland seafarer, it also shines a fascinating light on Shetland life at the end of the 19th century and into the early part of the 20th century...Captain Jack Isbester is to be congratulated for sharing his Grandfather's extraordinary seafaring career and for shedding new light on an era of Shetland's past'. Shetland Life
£17.09
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
£17.09
Whittles Publishing They Once Were Shipbuilders: 1
Book SynopsisLeith-Built Ships is a testimony to the skill of the men who built the ships and to the many men and women who may have sailed or served on them. This history is brought together in vol. I of a three-volume series about the almost-forgotten part that Leith played in our great maritime heritage and is the culmination of the author's lifetime experience of shipbuilding. Most people may well be aware of the part played by the great shipbuilding centres in the UK's history but many may be unaware of the part played by the shipbuilders of Leith. This port was once Scotland's main port with many firsts to its name. Leith had begun building ships some 400 years before the great shipyards of the Clyde and these vessels reached all corners of the globe, touching many people's lives. Some had sad histories while others took part in some of the great conflicts of the times; many were just ordinary working vessels that carried their crew safely through long working lives. With a pedigree of shipbuilding second to none going back over 660 years of recorded history, the ships built at Leith deserve their place in history and this book begins the story.Trade Review'...Mr Neish's splendid and very thorough 144 page tome offers a complete history of the ships built at Leith from c. 1850 until the end of World War I...includes tales of famous ships, steam yachts, adventure and new trade routes as well as a helpful glossary'. Gloucestershire Transport History-------------------'...the ships built at Leith deserve their place in history and this book, the first of a triology begins the story'. The Bosun's Chronicle------------------'...an engrossing book that will have a lasting value...you'd expect this book to be superbly researched and knowledgeably written. It doesn't disappoint. It is also readily accessible to the non-expert.' Undiscovered Scotland-------------------...A valuable history is provided of the ships built at Leith from around 1850 until the end of the First World War detailing the yards and the famous ships they constructed, accompanied by tales of adventure, trades and inevitably fates'. Africa Ports and Ships-------------------'The narrative is filled with anecdotes and a warmth that can only come from someone with personal memories of the industry and it is a fitting homage to the shipbuilding heritage of Edinburgh, so often eclipsed by Glasgow'. Scotland
£16.14
Whittles Publishing BP Shipping Pictorial: The Golden Years 1945 -
Book SynopsisThis is an in-depth appraisal of the 30-year post Second World War period that covered significant changes in the history of British Petroleum Shipping. These major changes were vital to the development of the company's fleet from modest 12,000 summer deadweight tonnage vessels to the Very Large Crude Oil (VLCC) class ships which ranged up to British Respect with her capacity of 277,746 sdwt. The author starts with a concise history of BP from its beginnings around 1915, including early developments in the design and construction of tankers. Losses during the Second World War were countered by developments in conversion of vessels for wartime duty and the ongoing construction of new vessels. Post-war, and after considerable losses, the drive to repair vessels and build new tankers was paramount and led to the growth of the 1950s. In many areas, BP was instrumental in designing and implementing safety rules long before they became international law and the effects of these changes are considered in detail. Also featured is the recovery of the fleet following the ravages of the Second World War which was influenced by an unprecedented international demand for oil. There were also numerous political upheavals that had a direct influence on ship routeing and fluctuations in the growth of the parent company, BP International, which affected the shipping arm, BPTC. This was a period of serious oil pollution that caused worldwide consternation. This concern led to the formation of the International Maritime Consultative Organisation (IMCO) which was ratified in 1948 and renamed the IMO in 1982. This organisation became a major innovator of a raft of consultative documents which eventually led to numerous protocols and conventions, leading the marine transport industry and the tanker industry in particular to becoming the most widely-regulated form of transport in the world. This brief was extended to encompass professional certification across all ranks of seafarers, helping to correct numerous problems which affected crews during this 30-year period. Tank construction and ship stability problems are discussed along with a major overhaul of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Other issues confronted during this period include preliminary work which would later be extended to include ballast water transference worldwide and air pollution, etc.
£18.04
Whittles Publishing Leith-Built Ships: Vol. II, Leith Shipyards
Book SynopsisThis volume includes some very famous ships with tales of adventure and new trade routes, also sadness, the launch and then the loss of the largest sailing ship ever built in a British shipyard - the five-masted auxiliary sailing barque, Kobenhavn. It recounts the days when shipbuilding should have flourished and into the tough times of the Great Depression. It remains a testimony to the skill and determination of the people who built the ships and those who served on them. The fortunes of the three main shipyards are followed through good times to eventual closure or assimilation by the man who would open up the shipyard that took his name. Henry Robb Ltd, shipbuilders and engineers, began without a yard in which to build ships, but eventually took over firstly the old S&H Morton Shipyard, now occupied by Hawthorns & Co. Ltd. That gave Robb control of the Victoria Shipyard, and a few years later he would take over the Cran & Somerville yard, before acquiring the plant and goodwill of the Ramage & Ferguson Shipyard - the cream of the Leith shipyards. This last yard would always have a ship on one of its slipways; at the peak they had nine slips, and were pioneers in the building of diesel-powered coasters. Always innovative and with some of the best craftsmen in the industry, the shipyard of Henry Robb quickly acquired the reputation as builders of special ships. Leith Shipyards 1918-1939 continues the chronological story begun in Volume I and provides a fascinating illustrated story that reveals the remarkable and ongoing story of shipbuilding for which Scotland and the UK were renowned.
£16.14
Whittles Publishing Bustler Class Rescue Tugs: In War & Peace
Book SynopsisThis new book reveals the part played by the eight Bustler Class Rescue Tugs built at the Henry Robb Shipyard during the Second World War and will shed more light on the almost-forgotten part played by this country's mariners. The men and women who were rescued under the most trying of times and dreadful weather conditions would no doubt have felt immense gratitude to the brave souls who formed part of the huge maritime effort, both in war and peacetime. This is the story of the small force of much-needed rescue tugs that were built during the dark forbidding days of the Second World War, when Great Britain had only the ships and men to bring in the raw materials that were required to fight against the might of Nazi Germany and its Allies. This compelling story shines a spotlight on the small, but very significant work done over many years by His and Her Majesty's Rescue Tugs in defence of the realm, and which benefited seafarers all over the world. The author's very detailed account of the contribution made by HMRT in general, and the Bustler Class in particular, is an excellent read, and has brought to life the immense impact that these rescue tugs have had over many years, usually in dire circumstances, and especially during the Second World War. Many of these ships also served with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) and this story recognises the part played by these heroic rescue tugs in accounts of many convoys that crossed the seas and were attacked by hostile forces. This fine volume will help to raise the profile of these magnificent small and immensely powerful vessels, and of course their highly-skilled crews without whom these heroic achievements would not have been possible.
£16.19
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Whittles Publishing Henry Robb Ltd. [1945-1965]: 3
Book SynopsisThe story of Leith-built ships continues in this third volume from just after the conclusion of World War Two to 1965. However, the world was different; the men came back from the front and those women who had been working in the shipyards lost their jobs. All shipyards were experiencing full order books, replacing, or repairing ships lost or damaged in the conflict, but the industry was changing albeit slowly at first. The advent of electric welding would eventually change the way ships were built leading to the demise of the Rivet Squad, which was replaced as a cost cutting exercise as it became the accepted method of ship construction. Henry Robb Shipyard participated in the massive new shipbuilding programme with a great many vessels being ordered from two of the largest customers of the yard. Many orders came from the giant Ellerman Lines, while a great many more were ordered by other customers, such as the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand. The Admiralty also remained a customer and a few large supply ships would be built in this time. In this volume the author has not forgotten the people who were the very fabric of the yard and community. Personal accounts are included from those who built or sailed on these vessels. This is the story of a mighty industry, but one which nonetheless had begun its decline. In the century from 1893, this nation went from producing 80% of all the worlds' commercial ships to producing no commercial ships at all. It is a sad fact, but this volume keeps alive the story of the Leith-built ships and the vibrant industry that once existed.
£16.19
Whittles Publishing The Fabulous Flotilla: Scotland's Adventure on
Book SynopsisThe Irrawaddy Flotilla Company, known in colonial Burma as the ‘Fabulous Flotilla’, was the largest privately-owned fleet of ships in the world. It was an entirely Scottish enterprise with nearly all its investors, management and ship’s officers drawn from Scotland. Over 1,200 ships were ordered mainly from Clyde yards and each year carried the majority of the population of Burma on its river network without loss of life. The paddle steamers were amongst the largest in the world, innovative in design and technology, and very beautiful. The flotilla began as a naval task force in the 1820s, was commandeered in five wars, and was to end its life with the British evacuation of Burma in 1942, the greatest evacuation in British military history. Fascinating personalities emerge from Strachan’s descriptions of Irrawaddy commanders and the flotilla’s key players. The ships evolved over a hundred years into riverine versions of ocean liners with plush cabins, restaurants, shops and even post offices on board. The largest class of ships carried 5,000 passengers including royalty, celebrities of the day and famous writers like Somerset Maugham along with early tourists and big game hunters. In the second part of the book, the author who himself has spent much of his life running ships on the rivers of Burma, takes us on a journey 1,000 miles upriver to explore the different regions of the country often highlighting Scottish connections. The river is the thread through which Burma’s often tragic history, yet rich and glorious Buddhist culture, flows and only on a river journey can the country be understood. Renamed Myanmar in 1997, Burma is Scotland’s ‘lost colony’ and the Scottish connection is little remembered today due to Burma’s half a century of post-war isolation. In its 1920s heyday Burma had the highest concentration of Scots anywhere in the world, outside of Scotland, with the exception of Canada. Scots were everywhere in Burma, running everything, and even their Burmese servants spoke in ‘broad’ Scots. With the ‘opening up’ of Burma in the early 21st century the Irrawaddy watershed, where about 50 million people live in a primitive rural economy, is under threat. Deforestation on a vast scale has resulted in the silting up of once navigable channels. China, with its ‘belt and road’ system that is a euphemism to a recolonisation of the country, plans to build one of the world’s largest dams in the river’s headwaters that would devastate the country’s agriculture and fisheries. The Fabulous Flotilla provides a revealing record of this remarkable era in Burma’s history and past Scottish endeavour – a jewel of a story that may soon be lost.
£17.09
Whittles Publishing A Natural History of Lighthouses
Book SynopsisThis is the story of lightkeepers’ contributions to the natural history of lighthouses in conjunction with the history and maintenance of the manned navigation beacons – their primary function of course – ‘for the safety of all’. Since keepers were first engaged to maintain lighthouses around our coast they have encountered wildlife, and in some cases developed a keen interest and expertise on the subject. Towards the end of the nineteenth century keepers were encouraged to submit annual returns of bird movements enabling reports on bird migration and several authoritative books to be compiled. As a result, ornithologists began to recognise how many lighthouses were well-placed to establish bird observatories – a few were in redundant lighthouses, often on offshore islands. However, lightkeepers also recognised that in certain weather conditions and during migration times, flocks of birds were attracted to the beam, resulting in many fatalities. While the problem is now better understood and considerably reduced, the automation of all British lighthouses has resulted in there no longer being lighthouse keepers to monitor the situation and report bird, sea mammal, insect and bat movements. The Natural History of Lighthouses highlights the contribution made by lighthouse keepers over the last century or two to the study of natural history, and ornithology in particular. Much of this is discussed in the words of the keepers themselves, set in the context of lighthouse history. Scotland has an especially rich lighthouse tradition, mainly due to a dynasty of Stevenson engineers covering over a century, all of whom also had a profound understanding of weather and geology – and indeed natural history – so important in the placing of their lighthouses. Several redundant lighthouse buildings still function as bird observatories as well as wildlife viewpoints and study centres, museums, hotels, restaurants and private homes. The lanterns themselves are still maintained in this digital and satellite age, monitored remotely from a strategic control centre.Trade Review'...a collection of great stories about the life of the keepers, as well as references to the work of lightships and their crew. ...there are plenty of marvellous stories here. This well-produced book also contains some terrific photography.' Nautilus Telgraph
£22.46
Countryside Books English Canals Explained
Book SynopsisThe English canal network becomes increasingly popular and widely used each year. The main aim of this book is to explain how everything works - from locks and lifts, to tunnels and towpaths. Stan Yorke, a life-long narrow boat enthusiast, explains in an easy-to-understand manner the story of the canals. In this he is ably assisted by his son Trevor's superb drawings and diagrams. The book is divided into three clear sections. The first describes the history of the canals, the second looks at their structures and features, and the third suggests special sites of interest around the country, which can be visited by foot or by boat.
£10.35
Special Interest Model Books Illustrated Dictionary of Sailing Ships, Boats
Book SynopsisOld Sailors loved nothing better than vying with one another at sea or in harbour to recognise a ship or boat on the horizon. It was sometimes an important life-saving talent to have in battle. Modern boat enthusiasts, including yachtsmen and fishermen, still like to indulge in this ancient skill. There have been many thousands of water vessels developed within the last three and a half thousand years, from the simple wooden log or dug-out to the huge sophisticated ships of Brunel and other nineteenth century designers. This is the realisation of author's intention to give readers a simple, quick reference book, illustrating 110 of these old ships and boats up to the turn of the twentieth century. They fall into the general categories of Ancient Craft, Sailing Ships, Small Sailing Boats and Craft and Steam Ships. The result is a handy book for those many enthusiasts who love the sea and would like to know more about these old and interesting vessels.Table of ContentsAncient Craft. Sailing Ships. Sailing Clippers. Fleutes. Frigates. Elizabethan Galleons. Capital Warships. Pilot Boats. Whaling Boats. Schooners. Sailing Barges. Junks. Luggers. Lifeboats. Sloops. Cutters. Smacks. Trawlers. Steam Ships. Steam Paddle Boats. Channel Steamers. Transatlantic Steamers. Ships' Boats. Traditional Rigs & Hull Types. Ships' Ordnance. Glossary of Terms.
£16.95
Special Interest Model Books Scale Model Tugs
Book SynopsisA practical illustrated guide to making scale model tug boats, offering information and guidance in line with the very latest developments in tug technology and design, and modern advances in model building. It covers scratch building, kits and mixing the two. The first six chapters are devoted to tugs in general, arranged by the duties for which each type of tug is designed. Subsequent chapters cover the details of scale modelling. This book is an enlargement and substantial revision of the tug material which appeared in the author's previous book Scale Model Tugs & Trawlers (Nexus Special Interests, 1999). Illustrated with original photographs and plans, it has been compiled from a wealth of practical experience and material gathered by experienced professional ship modeller Tom Gorman.Table of ContentsTugs in general. Harbour tugs. Coastal tugs. Estuary tugs and tug tenders. Ocean-going and salvage tugs. Small tugs, drive gear and towing. Modelling materials; handling fibreglass and other materials. Tools and equipment; power tools. Building a model tug; kits, semi-kits, adhesives. Electric motors; selecting and installing batteries. Miniature steam engines; selection and installation. Installation of state-of-the-art radio control equipment. Machinery and deck details of tugs; construction in miniature. Lighting the model tug; installation of navigation lights. Painting and finishing; displaying static models; maintaining working models. Competition; joining a model boat club.
£14.20
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