Maritime History

Hardcore racing fanatics and casual daytrippers alike will be entertained and educated by an insider's view of the early history of the America's Cup. Highlighting this history are previously unpublished photographs of Edwin Levick and his sons from the first 10 America's Cup races. These evocative photographs are complemented by the personal anecdotes and insights of author Gary Jobson, a tactician on two winning America's Cup boats. Levick's photographs, housed at the Mariners' Museum in Newport News, Virginia, offer a rare and exciting look at sailing's premier race.

ISBN: 9780917376511

Showcasing the highlights of the National Maritime Museum's world-class oil painting collections, this book features beautiful images and a series of comprehensive essays from leading experts, making it an essential companion for any art lover. The oldest collection, the Greenwich Hospital Collection, dates back to the early 18th century and, from 1824 onwards, was the first "national" historical art collection open to the public. Others-such as the Caird, Ingram, and Palmer Collections-include works that date back to the 16th century, while paintings from the Ministry of Defence and 20th-century holdings include eyewitness images from Cook's voyages and a superb collection of work by artists of World Wars I and II.

Pays tribute to a major art tradition. This work features the key works of the masters of each nautical painting school, from the Dutch painters and illustrators of the 17th century. It brings the romance and drama of the sea.

ISBN: 9781845730949

This illustrated volume presents facts about ancient Greek galleys, Viking longships, Spanish galleons, graceful clippers, ocean liners as well as many other nautical topics.

ISBN: 9780753404485

Designed to protect one of the most dangerous stretches of sea in the British Isles, Bishop Rock lighthouse is exposed to the awesome power of the unrestrained Atlantic Ocean at the very edge of the dramatic Western Rocks on the Isles of Scilly. It stands as a tribute to an amazing feat of Victorian engineering by three generations of the Douglass family working for Trinity House. The workforce struggled with great skill, courage and tenacity, in often dangerous conditions. Supplies of building materials, the accommodation for the workmen, initially on the remote rocky islet of Rosevear, and communications were challenging in the extreme. The first lighthouse, constructed from iron, fell victim to a violent storm in 1850, and was replaced by a granite tower in 1858. The relentless battering by sea and weather resulted in it being strengthened in the 1880s. This book tells the story of the lighthouse, its construction and steady improvement, the workers who built and maintained it, the lighthouse keepers who ensured it was always available, and of the relief boatmen who provided the vital link. Drawing extensively on original documents, contemporary photographs and plans, the book publishes many here for the first time.

ISBN: 9780906294697

David White's meticulously researched and brilliantly told account of the Battle of the Atlantic is the first to assess this crucial theatre of the Second World War from the viewpoint of all the protagonists: Germany, USSR, USA, Canada and, above all, the UK. Packed with first-hand testimony from seamen and submariners, White shows the real hardships faced. He also shows how the U-boat threat was countered and eventually defeated, ensuring the survival of Great Britain and thus the defeat of Nazi Germany. The Royal Navy's triumph undoubtedly changed the course of history.

ISBN: 9780755310883

Which woman made the first solo transatlantic crossing? Who saved thousands of lives with the invention of navigation lights? What is the story behind the invention of the compass? Who was Francis Beaufort and how did he come to devise the Beaufort wind scale, still used to this day? Why did William Petty invent the catamaran (in 1662)? Many of us know the story of modern sailing pioneers - Dame Ellen MacArthur and Francis Chichester, Claire Francis and the challengers of the Americas Cup - but what about those unsung heroes who invented the mechanisms and technology which enabled sailors to speed across the oceans and navigate more safely This fascinating book reveals the extraordinary stories behind the apparatus which many take for granted. Learn how the Frenchman Boulanger produced the first binoculars in 1859, enabling sailors to spy landmarks more effectively; or how William Armstrong earned sailors' gratitude by devising the yacht winch. From cloud classification and screw propellers to radio telephones and the measurement of tides, from the sextant to the first fibreglass boat, this collection of stories, with a foreword by Ben Ainslie, Olympic gold medal winner, will inspire and intrigue sailors everywhere.

ISBN: 9780750933650

Recalling the allure and excitement of life on board the great ocean liners, this book fully captures the rich creativity of the cuisine and the ultimate in luxury and service. It expertly re-creates some of the classic recipes from the era's first-, second-, and tourist-class dining rooms for today's cook, and includes fascinating anecdotes about their origins. Beautifully illustrated with the original menu cards from which the recipe ideas are taken, this book brings to life the glamour of the cruise liner in its heyday.

A Celebration of Marine Art 60 Years of the Royal Society of Marine Artists The whole wide world of the sea is here in this celebration of British Marine painting - great sailing ships, the darkrened waters of war, casual and carefree beach scenes, and images of working vessels on river and ocean.

ISBN: 9780753711392

In 1492 Christopher Colombus set sail across the Atlantic, on a voyage into the unknown. He was looking for a quicker route to the Indies. What he found was a whole New World...Ages 7-11.

ISBN: 9780746063286

'Breaks new ground in its comprehensive approach to the subject...and should be in the library of everyone interested in the Royal Navy of World War 2' - "Navy News".'This really is a tour de force of life in the wartime Navy. Fascinating and informative, it is also a delight to read' - "Warship World".In this remarkable book, Brian Lavery examines every aspect of the Royal Navy, both ashore and at sea, during the Second World War, and casts a lucid eye over the strengths and weaknesses of an organisation that was put under acute strain during the period, yet rose to the challenge with initiative and determination.Divided into twelve sections, the book delves into the structure of naval power from the Board of Admiralty and shore commands to officers and crews, their recruitment and training, daily life and discipline. The roles of the Reserves, Merchant Navy, Royal Marines and Wrens within this structure are also explained. Developments in ship design and technology, as well as advances in intelligence, sensors and armament are all discussed and set in context. The different divisions are dealt with one by one, including the Submarine Service, Fleet Air Arm, Coastal Forces, and Combined Operations. The text is complemented by over 300 illustrations and the personal accounts of those who served.This text is of interest to the family history market as well as scholars and historians of the Second World War. It accords full weight to the social history of the Royal Navy. It is heavily illustrated in colour and b&w with diagrams and contemporary images.

ISBN: 9781844860814

Patrick O'Brian, C. S. Forester and Captain Marryat all based their literary heroes on Thomas Cochrane, but as David Cordingly shows, Cochrane's own real life exploits were far more daring and exciting than those of his fictional counterparts. Cochrane's impulsive nature meant that he was often his own worst enemy. It was this that lay behind his early success, and also behind the stock exchange scandal that saw him blackballed from the City and his beloved country. Taking his wounded pride and his undiminished abilities as a naval commander to South America, he helped liberate Chile, Peru and Brazil from their colonial masters, before returning home to restless retirement. Drawing on his own travels, wide reading and the kind of original research that distinguished Billy Ruffian, David Cordingly tells the rip-roaring story of the ultimate Romantic hero who helped define his age.

ISBN: 9780747580881

"The Command of the Ocean" describes with unprecedented authority and scholarship the rise of Britain to naval greatness, and the central place of the Navy and naval activity in the life of the nation and government. It describes not just battles, voyages and cruises but how the Navy was manned, how it was supplied with timber, hemp and iron, how its men (and sometimes women) were fed, and above all how it was financed and directed. It was during the century and a half covered by this book that the successful organizing of these last three - victualling, money and management - took the Navy to the heart of the British state. It is the great achievement of the book to show how completely integrated and mutually dependent Britain and the Navy then became.

ISBN: 9780141026909

Fully updated and presented in colour throughout, this Conway Classic is a comprehensive study of the world's capital ships from the emergence of Dreadnought in 1906 to the decommissioning of the last two of the US Iowa class - New Jersey and Winsconsin - scheduled for 2007/2008. For fifty years battleships represented the military might and pride of their countries. They threatened, they impressed, they surprised in a way no other symbol could. Their like will never be seen again, as large surface ships are no longer considered practical in the missile age.This new edition provides the technical data, gives the design background and outlines the careers of the world's battleships and battlecruisers. Organised by nation, type and class, each entry contains a wealth of technical detail and extensive data on every vessel; each class or single ship is illustrated with a line diagram of the ship in profile and a photograph.It is a Conway classic that has been fully updated. It is presented for the first time in colour. It is the definitive battleship reference book. It features over 500 photographs and diagrams.

ISBN: 9781844860685

OCTOBER 2008

Why is the sea salty? How does the wind create waves? If ice is transparent, why are icebergs white? Why are cold seas green and warm seas blue? Why don't rope strands untwist? Why does a dinghy slide backwards as you try to climb out? Why do the sun and moon sometimes have halos? Why do barnacles attach themselves to boat hulls? Do Dolphins Ever Sleep?provides the most astonishing answers to a whole range of fascinatingquestions you may have wondered about or may never even have thought ofasking!'This is one of those books that you open by chance and do not stop reading' Voiles et Voiliers

ISBN: 9780713687064

Dressed to Kill explores naval identity, period fashion and masculinity. In a detailed examination of naval uniform and its historical, social and economic contexts Amy Miller, Curator of Decorative Arts and Material Culture at the National Maritime Museum, explores the Museum's extensive and rich collection. Accompanying the newly commissioned colour photography of the uniforms, personal papers, diaries, fiction and other period artefacts are used to demonstrate the significance of male fashion and uniform in the forging of a national, hierarchical and gendered identity in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

From the grand ships that first set sail in search of new worlds, to tallships and traditional lateen sails this gorgeous book explores the history and lore of the seven seas and the ships that attempt to tame them.

ISBN: 9788497940450

Sailing, one of the most ancient methods of transport and exploration, is becoming more and more extreme. Technological advancements mean that vessels are getting faster while sailors are better equipped than ever to conquer the elements and explore uncharted waters with sophisticated satellite navigation systems. This sailing subculture thrives on adrenaline, with sailors seeing just how far they can push their boats and crew. Today's sailors have an insatiable desire to smash records and make history, conquering near-impossible weather conditions and treacherous icy waters in the process. Maritime marathons such as The Race, in which competitors circumnavigate the globe in as fast a time as possible, are springing up around the globe and attracting more and more fearless individuals. "Extreme Sail" is a circumnavigation of the most extreme maritime feats - including the Vendee Globe, the Sydney-Hobart, The America's Cup and the Ostar. Light-hearted and engaging text is accompanied by visually breathtaking photographs capturing the true spirit of extreme sailing. There are also quotes interspersed throughout from sailors who have participated in extreme events and a gazetteer at the back of the book gives information on all the races, events and competitions mentioned throughout.

ISBN: 9781862057289

The exploits of the British fleet during the close blockade of France in the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars have generated a rich seam of historical and fictional writing. This book makes available for the first time an astonishingly untapped source of visual material commissioned by the powerful civilian members of the Admiralty Board, to increase their grasp on a critical theatre of naval operations. John Thomas Serres, pupil and son of the marine artist Dominic Serres, embarked on the ships of the inshore frigate squadron off Brest at the very time when the blockade was being tightened by the new Commander-in-Chief, Lord St Vincent. Espionage, shipwreck, mutiny and hydrographic controversy all enter into an account which will interest students of naval history, afi cionados of naval fiction, such as Patrick O'Brian, and cruising yachtsmen who know these coasts today.

There is no more famous a vessel in naval fiction than HMS Surprise, the principal ship in Patrick O'Brian's much-celebrated "Aubrey-Maturin" series of sea stories. Yet, the frigate also had a true historical career serving in both the French and British navies before being captured by Inconstant in the Mediterranean in 1796 and delivered into the fictional captaincy of Jack Aubrey.This sumptuous new volume, written by acclaimed naval historian Brian Lavery, not only reveals the complete career history and commentary of HMS Surprise in both its guises, but also presents an all-embracing construction history of the Fifth Rate including some 50 line drawings as well as historical artworks and detailed photographs together with stills and model shots from the ship used in the film "Master & Commander: the Far Side of the World". The book is presented in full colour throughout and additionally includes a series of specially-commissioned sketches and paintings by co-author Geoff Hunt RSMA, the acclaimed artist of the Patrick O'Brian cover artworks and related prints. Geoff Hunt also contributes a most illuminating chapter on his experiences in, and challenges faced, when illustrating this ship. Detailed line and isometric plans are being drawn by prolific marine draughtsman Karl Heinz Marquardt.HMS Surprise sails again and this time it's for real - a must for all Patrick O'Brian readers. It is a stunning collaboration between two of the most respected naval authorities. Much of Surprise's actual history is as exciting as her fictional career. It is a meticulously researched first-rate book for all naval devotees.

ISBN: 9781844860746

The Great Classic Yacht Revival Opening with a history of the golden years of wooden boats, the book celebrates the high point of craftsmanship, embodied in a plethora of fine materials and enduring designs. Despite the advent of modern materials, these skills have survived, ensuring the highest standards in restoration. Landmark restorations, such as Marigold and Partrige, and new-builds such as the "modern classic" Savannah are examined, offering insight into the minds of vessels' restorers and their owners. The book explores the objectives of designers who emulate the yachts of yesteryear by incorporating "retro" elements in modern designs - or by simply copying old designs wholesale. And it features a host of glamorous regattas where the many admiring eyes cast over the polished brass, varnished teak, and hand-stitched canvas bear witness to the growing popularity of the movement.

COVER PRICE £30.00

ISBN: 9781840008999

It was Henry VIII who began the process of making England a first-rate sea-power. He inherited no more than seven warships from his father King Henry VII, yet at his own death the King's Navy had 53 seaworthy ships afloat (much the same size as the Royal Navy today) manned by almost 8,000 sailors. Here was the springboard for Queen Elizabeth's captains (such as Francis Drake) a decade later. Henry VIII originally needed a navy to hold the English Channel and blockade the enemy while he invaded France. Later when invasion from the continent grew serious Henry's navy fought in many actions. Moorhouse doesn't only deal with seagoing exploits. Thanks to Henry VIII dockyards were built (Greenwich and Deptford), timber had to be felled in quantities previously unknown (from land seized during the dissolution of the monasteries), and hemp (for rope) was harvested; new skills were developed, not least the gun-founders and the master shipwrights. Some of the ships were celebrated - 'Henry Grace a Dieu' (aka 'Great Harry') was the biggest ship in the world - 1,000 tons, 122 guns, crew of 700 and the 'Mary Rose' (500 tons, 80 guns, 40 crew) became one of the most famous after she heeled over too far, took water and sank with the loss of almost all hands off Portsmouth.

ISBN: 9780753820995

Richly illustrated with full-colour artwork and maps, this informative look at cartographic history explores the use of maps during the age of exploration, focusing especially on the late thirteenth century through the seventeenth century, explaining how maps were used in navigation, how they were created, the art of map-making, and more.

ISBN: 9781859957509

Women have always been involved in maritime life, but their stories have rarely been told. David Cordingly looks at this traditionally male domain and finds some remarkable women: Mary Patten, who took command of a vessel and sailed it round Cape Horn at the age of nineteen; Grace Darling, the daughter of a lighthouse keeper, who rowed out in ferocious seas to rescue three shipwrecked men; and the awesome Anne Bonny, who disguised herself as a man and became a fearsome pirate before being sentenced to the gallows. From the waterfront prostitutes and the women who went to sea dressed as sailors, to the wives who were left waiting at home, "Heroines and Harlots" looks at the unique relationship between women and the sea. "Fascinating, never at a loss for detail." - "Herald".

ISBN: 9780330487993

With the character of the Arctic in a dramatic state of flux, and arguments over sovereignty once again rising to the surface, it is timely that a history of the exploration of this remote region be published. Wide-reaching in its scope and beautifully presented with artworks, maps and charts from the Nurminen Foundation and numerous European museums, private collections and archives, this is a full account of the many explorers from both East and West who attempted to find the North-West and North-East Passages, and to chart and document the region to enable the mythical North to gradually take shape and become part of the world picture.The story of man's skill and initiative in bringing an understanding to such an inhospitable part of the globe is described through the daring adventures of Viking sailors such as Erik the Red, navigators Barents and Bering, and explorers of the wilds such as Chelyuskin and Franklin. Equally, the stories of those disastrous voyages in search of the North-West and North-East Passages are presented in detail. The journeys of the great scientific explorers - Cook, Nordenskiold and Amundsen - remind the reader of the bravery of those who set their sights towards the uncharted North. Bravery and endurance were not sufficient for the almost incredible feats of Nansen and Peary. Success in extreme conditions was only achieved by those expeditions that appreciated the ferocity of nature and took example from the indigenous peoples - those who had lived in the North long before the coming of the Europeans.It presents meticulous and engrossing history on an extremely topical subject. It is sumptuously illustrated with artworks, maps and charts. It is fully international in its coverage. It follows in the style of "The History of Seafaring".

ISBN: 9781844860692

Providing the reader with a clear insight into how man has progressed from the first dug-out canoe to the great ocean liners and modern warships of today, this title studies historical voyages, advancements in technology with special features on key sea battles that changed the course of history, including Trafalgar, the Spanish Armada and Jutland.

ISBN: 9780753706312

In the early hours of 27th May, 1941, Fleet Air Arm pilot, John Moffat, took to the air in his open cockpit bomber. Along with 12 other brave pilots, he took down the German warship Bismarck - a warship that had destroyed the famed HMS Hood. This is his story. John Moffat tells of everything that led him to be able to say, 'I sank the Bismarck'.

The first full account of a major disaster deliberately concealed during the Allied preparation for D-Day. Operation Tiger on Slapton Sands was one of the giant military exercises off the Devonshire coast conducted by the Allied armed forces in preparation for D-day. When part of the training force was surprised by nine German E-boats with heavy loss of life extraordinary measures where taken. Over 700 Americans were hastily buried and news of the attack was concealed. Security for the whole D-Day mission was threatened and confidence that Britain and America could successfully co-operate in such a complex plan was shaken. For the first time Edwin P. Hoyt brings together the details of Operation Tiger and assess its importance both in the history of Anglo-American relations and in the military lessons which were learnt in readiness for D-Day.

ISBN: 9780709032663

What does it mean to be an island people? How has our rich and complex relationship with the sea shaped our national psyche? This beautifully illustrated exploration of Britain's maritime history sets out to discuss these questions. Brian Lavery takes the reader on a journey around the ports and harbours of Britain's coast, across rivers and along canals, climbing up lighthouses and strolling down piers. He moves with consummate skill between topics as varied as the rise of the Royal Navy or the development of specialised fisheries, the motives behind exploration and emigration or the protection of our shores from invasion, to deliver an all-encompassing history that is accessible and revealing. The pages are alive with tales of the great naval heroes, famous battles, legendary explorers and talented shipbuilders and architects. Each chapter includes a featured ship, dockyard, museum or notable maritime site, such as Chatham Dockyard, the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, HMS Belfast, Liverpool's historic port, and the birthplace of Sir Walter Raleigh. The book is rounded off with a Gazeteer of over 100 heritage sites. The book is published as part of the major SeaBritain 2005 initiative whose aim is to co-ordinate all the various events that are planned for the Trafalgar bicentennary and promote the role that the sea plays and has played in British culture. Partners include The National Maritime Museum, The National Trust, English Heritage, the RNLI, The Royal Yachting Association and the Official Nelson Commemorative Committee, among others, with the support of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. Each of these organisations has made a committment to the promotion of this book.

ISBN: 9781844860166

The Jane's Annuals were renowned for revealing the losses incurred on both sides in the two World Wars, as well as the battles that were won. This large-format volume is a definitive reference for anyone with an interest in the ships of World War I.

ISBN: 9781851703784

"Jane's Fighting Ships" has been published annually since 1897. To mark the centenary of this title, this edition reviews the full range of technological developments charted in the pages of this publication, from the beginning of the 20th century, when Britain was the world's greatest naval power, through the World Wars and into the long era of American maritime supremacy. It also reveals the latest ideas in warship construction: radical designs which may make many of today's warships as obsolete as the Victorian Royal Navy's battleships originally described by "Fighting Ships'" founder, Fred T. Jane.

ISBN: 9780004720654

The RNLI is one of the best known maritime rescue organisations in the world. It receives no financial support from the British government and is supported entirely by public donations. Edward Wake-Walker, the RNLI's former director of public relations, tells the story of the Institution from its beginnings during the reign of Queen Victoria, to the hi-tech rescue maritime organisation it has become in the 21st Century. He describes how it all began; the early lifeboats - pulling and sailing; early lifeboat heroes - what it took to be a volunteer in the 19th century, some famous coxswains; early rescues and disasters; motorised lifeboats; the arrival of speed - inshore and all-weather craft; the modern fleet; the modern volunteer crewmember; new areas for the RNLI - mudflats (hovercraft), rivers, beaches, prevention of accidents; partners in rescue - Coast Guard, Royal Navy, RAF etc; and concludes with a survivor's story.

ISBN: 9780750948586

What was it that led a man to make lighthouse-keeping his life's occupation - to select a monotonous lonely job, which takes him away from his family for months at a time, leaving him in a cramped, narrow tower with two other men not of his own choosing? Lighthouse-keepers and their families opened their souls to Tony Parker, who has been described as Britain's most expert interviewer. With this revelatory portrait of a small community he has given us an exceptional insight into the British character.

ISBN: 9780907871583

There is a widespread fascination with lighthouses that often has nothing to do with the sea. They stand out in the land or seascape. Sooner or later, looking at lighthouses leads to questions about them, and in particular human questions - who, when, where, how? These do not simply refer to their construction, but also to who used and operated them - the mariners and keepers and their families. Charles Payton tells the story of "Lighthouses", focusing on those that belong to the National Trust or stand on National Trust land. "Lighthouses" featured: Farne Islands - Northumberland; Souter - Tyne and Wear; Orford Ness - Suffolk; South Foreland - Kent; Beachy Head - Sussex; Needles Old Battery - Isle of Wight; St Catherine's - Isle of Wight; The Lizard - Cornwall; Gribbin - Cornwall; Lundy - Bristol Channel; and Rathlin Island - Northern Ireland.

ISBN: 9781905400126

A celebration of the traditional lighthouses of England and Wales, all administered by Trinity House. Personal reminiscences of some of Britain's last lighthouse keepers are included, together with individual portraits of all the Trinity House Lighthouses and light vessels in service today.

ISBN: 9781904050001

The triumphant story of the last and greatest war under sail, an intimate history of the turbulent decades of global conflict that embraced the passage from one century to another.

ISBN: 9780712609272

No other environment matches the danger of a hostile sea. This remarkable collection brings together over 60 extraordinary eyewitness accounts, from through the ages, of mishap, error and survival on the high seas. It includes modern cases like the high-ocean dismasting of Kingfisher 2, Richard van Pham's 100 days adrift in 2002, the Kursk submarine disaster and the Exxon Valdez, as well as legendary and lesser known historical events like the HMS Proserpine catastrophe, the Monsarrat storm at sea, and the wreck of the Medusa.

ISBN: 9781841198194

ISBN: 9780954706210

Plimoth Plantation and the National Geographic Society come together to tell the true story behind the legendary voyage of the "Mayflower". A meticulously researched work, "Mayflower 1620" offers children a compelling, fresh account of this much-told story. Vibrant photography of a rare reenactment using the "Mayflower II" leads readers imaginatively into the narrative. The vivid and informative text explores the story behind the exhibits at the living-history museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Primary sources record what the voyagers wore, what they ate, and telling details of their journey. First-person accounts reveal the hopes and dreams they carried. Readers share in the long hours at sea, and in the dangers faced after landfall. Extensive end notes, a map, a detailed chronology, and a bibliography round out the full story of the "Mayflower". Readers experience a new look at this seminal historical event through the eyes of those who now regularly inhabit the world of the pilgrims--the actors who interpret the Pilgrim Voyage. This eye-opening book teaches children the value of closely reexamining everything we think we know.

ISBN: 9780792262763

ISBN: 0753711168

Ship ahoy! Come and experience the amazing 1,000 year story of a port. From stone-age settlement to modern marina, find out what life was like through the ages, and see how the port has been transformed over time. Incredible panoramic pictures show each stage of the port's history, while fantastic features reveal the important events, people, and places.With close-ups, captions, cross-sections and a canny time traveller who mysteriously appears in every era, there's so much to see on every page, the more you look, the more you'll discover!

ISBN: 9781405312677

For the British, the Battle of the Atlantic was a fight for survival, as they depended entirely upon the safe transit of hundreds of convoys of merchant ships laden with food, raw materials and munitions from America to feed the country and to keep the war effort going. The ultimate success of these convoys is much more than the triumph of one side's naval technology over the other, or of the revelations of the enemy's encoded orders assiduously teased out by the brilliant young decrypters at Bletchley Park; it is more too than the simple assertion that victory went to the Allies because they built more ships and therefore shipped more cargoes, than the Germans could sink. A national decline had left Great Britain desperately vulnerable in 1939, when she had to mobilise her civilian ships and revive the notion of a 'merchant navy'. It was this disparate collection of private vessels which endured the onslaught of the German U-boat offensive until Allied superiority overwhelmed the enemy. In this important, moving and exciting book, drawing extensively on first-hand sources, acclaimed historian Richard Woodman establishes the importance of the British, and Allied merchant fleets to the war effort, elevating the heroic civilians who manned them to their rightful place in the history of the Second World War.

ISBN: 9780719565991

This heavily illustrated volume offers a comprehensive and dramatic history of coastal life saving and rescues at sea from the earliest times to the present day. Divided into four sections, the book first covers the beginning of the humanitarian life-saving ethos in Europe and China and how it spread throughout the world, followed by a section on the milestones in rescue craft design, from the earliest pulling and sailing lifeboats to the high-speed lifeboats of today.

ISBN: 9780851779348

This is a highly original collection of stories and poems celebrating the joys of boating, from the very first experiences of sailing, to coping with raging storms on the high seas. Exploring all aspects of the sailing adventure, this imaginative anthology is split into 5 parts: MESSING ABOUT IN BOATS ALL AT SEA LET NOT THE DEEP SWALLOW ME UP THE TERROR OF THE SEA SAILOR'S LORE There are accounts of shipwreck and of sea-sickness; building a boat and learning to row; climbing the rigging to earn a place in the crew; and being thrown overboard. It includes extracts from Treasure Island, The Coral Island, The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Robinson Crusoe.

ISBN: 9781851497034

ISBN: 9780954706265

At the height of the Second World War this small pocket-book was issued to all ratings on board ships of the Royal Navy. In straight period prose it outlines all the basic expressions and tasks a seaman needed to know to perform his duties efficiently. Chapters are broken down into: Sea Terms; Navigation; Steering the Ship; Rigging; Anchors and Cables; Boatwork; Miscellaneous (which includes details on uniform and folding a hammock, etc); and Ship Safety. Functional black line illustrations are used throughout, as well as a few pages of colour (used sparingly) for flag recognition. Faithfully reproduced, with a short introduction by Brian Lavery, which explains the importance of a book like this to a navy that had to take on vast numbers of civilians or Hostilities. Only men to meet the manning needs of the war, this volume provides a real mixture of wartime nostalgia and historical authenticity. It makes a world now lost to us accessible again, explaining as it does the terms, skills and conventions of ship board life, a life that required a common language, and where failure to respond to orders instantly could mean the difference between life and death.

ISBN: 9781844860371

Whether you're a Master, Commander or Pirate of the Caribbean, this is the vessel for you. From the earliest canoes to today's sophisticated ocean-going giants, Christopher Columbus to Ellen MacArthur, witness the drama, the splendour and excitement of Ship's story above and below the waves, through centuries of exploration, endeavour and conflict. Produced in association with the National Maritime Museum.

ISBN: 9781405311540

An old sea chest, a letter, a list of shipwrecks and a riddle...crack the code and find the sunken treasure with this underwater adventure. "Dear Duncan - A small fortune in gold could be yours - if you are smart enough to find it. I'm leaving a list of shipwrecks and a riddle - the rest is up to you..." Uncle Joe. Dive in and take the challenge with Duncan Cameron to search for sunken treasure. There are real shipwrecks to explore, secrets to unravel, and a mystery to solve, plus flaps to unfold, charts to read, a compass, pieces of eight, maps, and much more to help your quest. Can YOU spot the clues along the way - and crack Uncle Joe's riddle?

ISBN: 9781405313285

ISBN: 9781842365731

The extraordinary emergence of smuggling during the 18th and 19th century forms much of the history of the coastline of the British Isles, and the traditional image of the fisherman-cum-smuggler has intrigued historians and fiction-writers alike for decades. But how accurate is this traditional picture of the smuggler? In this fascinating history, maritime historian Richard Platt explores the captivating story of smuggling in 18th and 19th-century Britain, when high taxes led to a dramatic increase in illegal imports. As the "free trade" grew, smugglers openly landed contraband in full view of the customs authorities: columns of heavily-armed thugs protected the cargoes. Documenting every aspect of the smuggling industry, from the practical problems of stowing contraband and getting it to its final destination to the legendary hiding places and caves used to conceal goods until their sale, this compelling book will intrigue all those with an interest in the sea and its history, and shows how a small-scale trade that enjoyed widespread popular support grew into a vast and violent industry.

In January 2007, within the space of only six days, three large fishing boats - the Pere Charles, the Honey Dew II and the Renegade - capsized and sank off the south east coast of Ireland. There were eleven crewmen on board the three vessels. In a tragic week, seven fishermen lost their lives in storm-force winds and waves.In Souls of the Sea, Damien Tiernan gets to the heart of the tragedy that stunned Ireland and made headlines around the world. He talks to the families of those who drowned, as well as to the survivors from the sunken boats; to the rescue crews and weather forecasters, and to the ordinary people who turned out in their hundreds to search the shoreline for clues as to what happened.A vivid picture emerges of brave and resourceful men and women who continue to forge unique communities in the face of adversity.Souls of the Sea is a memorial to the seven men who were lost.

ISBN: 9780340952528

TARS is a gripping firsthand account of life in the Royal Navy at its bloodiest and most temptestuous phase, beginning in 1758. Through the lives of the main protagonists - a small band of sailors from across the ranks - TRAFALGAR author Tim Clayton paints a vivid picture of the navy and the era, from close-quarter battles and roistering on the streets of London to the political decisions that built up and knocked down empires. In this death-or-glory era the navy became the main weapon of an aggressive and power-hungry government, and fighting at sea was carried out at ever-closer quarters and with ever-increasing amounts of firepower. Using never-before published first-person sources, TARS takes us through these men's daily struggles as Britain navigated her course on the political map.

ISBN: 9780340898031

Two hundred years ago, Napoleon Bonaparte dominated Europe and threatened Britain with invasion. Against him stood the Royal Navy and the already legendary Admiral Horatio Nelson.On 21 October 1805, a massive naval battle off the coast of Spain decided mastery of the seas. Then, over the following days and nights, the battleships and their exhausted crews endured a gale of awesome fury. As Captain Charles Tyler wrote to his wife Margaret, 'the wind blew a perfect storm'.The authors of the bestselling FINEST HOUR tell this story not only through the diaries, letters and memoirs of the men who wrestled with the enemy and the elements, but also through the eyes of their wives and children. Whether you are already familiar with this period of history or are coming to it for the first time, TRAFALGAR is a book that will enthral as it illuminates an event whose repercussions still echo today.

ISBN: 9780340830284

Record-setting races, voyages of exploration, epic battles with the weather and shipwreck survivals are just some of the tales told in "Voices from the Sea". Historical feats such as Robin Knox-Johnston's record for the fastest non-stop circumnavigation of the globe and the legendary Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic mission range alongside modern achievements such as those of French adventurer Raphaela le Gouvello, who traversed the Indian Ocean solo in 2006 and stories from some of the world's most gruelling challenges - the Fastnet, Sydney-Hobart and Vendee races. This beautiful tribute to some of the world's most stunning and savage seas, sailors and explorers provides accounts of some of the greatest feats of human endurance, fascinating tales and intriguing facts about some of Earth's most interesting and unpredictable waters, enabling you to experience the majesty and grandeur of the seas and the terrifying challenges they faced.

ISBN: 9781844035557

This work is a unique insight into the most conclusive naval battle in history through the accounts of those who were actually there. Here, you will find original accounts from the great military leaders of the time - including Nelson - as well as the experiences of the ordinary seamen and civilian witnesses. It is drawn from a variety of contemporary sources including letters, diaries, newspapers and ships' logs.

ISBN: 9780715325568

2009 marks the bi-centennary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of his ground-breaking publication "On the Origin of Species" (1859). Many of his scientific investigations and theories have stood the test of time and are still relevant today. There will be many major exhibitions around the world as well as documentaries and debates about Darwin's work, and a major motion picture is planned on the life of Darwin by the Oscar winning producer Jeremy Thomas."The Voyage of the Beagle" brings together, for the first time, in a single volume a range of topics on the great voyages of discovery made by the Beagle. They include the career history of the vessel, including designs and plans, biographies on Darwin and Captain Robert Fitzroy and the work of the various artists who accompanied the voyages.Illustrated with artworks, sketches and plans, extracts from journals and diaries, portraits and caricatures, artefacts and photographs, James Taylor has woven together all the various strands of the Beagle story to produce a thoroughly engaging and highly informative read that is sure to appeal to anyone from scientists to art lovers and maritime historians.It is published in advance of the two key Darwin 200 anniversaries and related events. It features an authoritative author who speaks regularly on Darwin and the Beagle. It is presented as a travel journal. It features a beautiful presentation in 4-colour.

ISBN: 9781844860661

OCTOBER 2008

Part of a unique venture: a twenty-four volume series that will capture the entire history of war and warfare, written by the world's leading experts. Fully illustrated throughout and incorporating computer generated cartography that brings the sea battles to life. PUBLISHED PRICE £25.00

ISBN: 9780304352463