Search results for ""author ian sebire""

The 1960s witnessed a magnificent, if misguided, swansong for the ocean liner. As the decade progressed a steady succession of elaborate new ‘ships of state’ populated the world’s sea lanes, in futile defiance of the vapour trails above them. Into this atmosphere of one-upmanship the Italian Line introduced Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raffaello, the largest, fastest and most prestigious passenger liners in the nation’s post-war merchant marine. Named after the Renaissance masters, this book tells their stories, from troubled inception to heart-rending finale. It explains their design origins and interior décor, relates the triumph and tragedy of their all-too-brief careers and provides an insight into what it was like to live, work and take passage on these vessels, each with their own special personality. Profusely illustrated throughout, this book pays tribute to the ships and the people who brought them to life.

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‘Functionality is never an excuse for poor design’ said the naval architect Nicolò Costanzi, a man whose synthesis of engineering and artistry created practical ships of sublime beauty. This book tells the story of the four large passenger ships conceived by Costanzi in the late 1950s and early 1960s. These designs incorporated the most celebrated elements of his work and perhaps reflect the man at the very height of his powers. The ‘Costanzi Quartet’ comprised Lloyd Triestino’s stylish emigrant carriers Galileo Galilei and Guglielmo Marconi, Home Lines’ groundbreaking Oceanic and Costa’s speed queen, Eugenio C. Profusely illustrated throughout, this book considers their designs and varied careers, as well as offering an insight into life on board through the testimony of passengers and crew. It also sheds light on the man who created them and whose foresight and skill continues to influence contemporary cruise ship design.

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