Description
Book SynopsisThis volume supplements a selection of contemporary newspaper articles, mainly from the 1920s and 1930s, with background information from other sources such as the reports of Marine Courts of Inquiry, extracts from ships' log books and references to crew agreements, law reports and published narratives by ships' masters. Some imaginative details have been added, but the stories are all firmly based on true events as reported and recorded at the time.
Trade Review`Mills portrays what conditions were like on board British merchant vessels of the time and has made his subject a most readable one’. Paul Ridgway, Africa Ports & Ships -------------------- `...a very readable little tome of voyages full of drama and unexpected incidents'. Julian Stockwin -------------------- 'Each of this book's 26 chapters describes an incident from the 1920s and 1930s which affected a British merchant ship going about her business. The author, a merchant seaman from the 1960s, has taken newspaper references from around the world describing groundings, fires and other calamitous events at sea. With the use of supplementary sources ... he has pieced together details of how the weather or sea conditions led to a stranding or total loss. Clan Line's Clan MacWilliam on fire off Vavua and Iddesleigh of the Tatem Steam Navigation Co. aground off Hispaniola are just two of many incidents recorded. The author portrays what conditions were like on board British merchant vessels and he has made his subject a most readable one'. Ships Monthly -------------------- 'Chris Mills has gathered together a selection of most interesting newspaper articles, mainly from the 1920s and 1930s, and then developed the story with background information to tell the full tale of what happened. ... There are 26 chapters, each devoted to a particular newsworthy story involving a deep-sea ship, and a varied collection of incidents, which seafarers of today and yesterday will appreciate'. Shipping - Today & Yesterday -------------------- 'This book gives the reader a real flavour of seagoing and in its own way adds much value to a way of life now almost lost to living memory'. Sea Breezes
