2nd edition by Frank Singleton Weather determines when we sail, where we sail to and whether we arrive safely. This essential pocket-sized guide equips the reader with all the necessary tools to predict and deal with local and distant weather conditions, whether on a day trip or a longer cruise, along the coast or further offshore. Each topic is broken...

A Maritime Story by Maggie Ballinger The origin of the British Isles – the ‘North-East Atlantic archipelago’, our evolution, development and formation is told within this book in a most unique way – in narrative verse. The story of our indissoluble engagement with the sea, our shores populated by waves of immigrants since prehistoric times. Celts, Romans, Saxons, Vikings, Normans,...

by John Megoran It could be forgiven to think that the days of long coastal excursions by paddle steamers on the south coast are a thing of the past, but through this book, it was surprising to learn that there are still more than 80 vessels offering cruises today. Along with the larger vessels which take passengers across the Channel...

2019 by Bernard McCall During 2000 to 2009, Coastal Shipping Publications released a yearly coaster annual. Due to the popularity of these annuals and the many requests to resume them, Bernard McCall has duly replied with this excellent photographic A4 sized hard-back. It looks at some of the aspects of coastal shipping world-wide. From Canada to Cornwall and from New...

The Real Instrument of Victory – 1914-1918 by Jim Ring It is sometimes easy to forget the role played by sea power in the First World War. All too often, the great global conflict is narrowed to the fields of Flanders and the plains of Picardy. This book, by award-winning biographer and naval historian Jim Ring, sets to put that...

by Angus Konstam Since the days of the Ancient Greeks, naval ships of all sizes have revolutionized warfare. From the Viking longship, pirate ships and super dreadnoughts to today’s nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers, naval warfare has proved to be an essential component of military forces across the world. The Ship Spotter’s Guide provides essential information on 40 iconic ships,...

A Guide to British Naval Slang and Usage by Rick Jolly This entertaining and amusing book is a comprehensive guide to the humorous and colourful slang of the Senior Service, explaining, in layman’s terms the otherwise cryptic everyday language of the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines and the Fleet Air Arm. Featuring more than 4,000 alphabetical entries, it was compiled...

by Richard Woodman This title tells the epic story of Britain’s merchant shipping, carrying exotic goods from all quarters of the world. At one time, British ships carried half of the world’s trade. The origins of the Merchant Navy can be traced back as far as the first half of the sixteenth century when, under Henry VIII, England began to...

Naval Slang and its Everyday Use by Martin Robson We are all well accustomed to phrases such as “money for old rope”, “batten down the hatches”, “at loggerheads” and “a loose cannon”. The naval community once had its own language, incomprehensible to anyone who was not a sailor, which described and explained his unique world. But on shore leave, these...

Cruising History and Evolution by William H Miller Today, the worldwide cruise industry is booming and there are more liners carrying more passenger than ever before in all maritime history. There were some 120 new cruise ships built during last year alone which included the biggest and the most luxurious afloat. Cruise ships visit ports around the world and the...

by Authority of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty 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...

The Story of the Royal Navy’s Coast of Ireland Command During the First World War by Guy Warner In this well-researched and readable new book, Guy Warner tells the story of the vital role Ireland played during the First World War. Together with examining the growth in Royal Navy anti-submarine activities and the roles of key personnel, it also looks...

at Enabled Victory by John Hendy This, the follow up to the author’s previous books, Dover – Calais and Folkestone for the Continent, focuses on the cargo steamers within the growth and development of the ports of Dover and Folkestone. Despite their rather low profile, these robust little cargo ships played a pivotal role in major twentieth century conflicts and...

by Andrew Wiltshire The author’s fascination with tugs began at the age of five in South Wales back in 1966. Since then, Andrew Wiltshire has gained a fine reputation as one of the UK’s leading writers on maritime matter. Renowned for publications of meticulous research and high-quality photos, this is another fine book. Workhorses of the maritime world, the tug’s...

by Leonard Noake (Author), David Creamer (Editor) This moving book was written by George Leonard Noake who wrote these tales to keep himself occupied after learning of his incurable illness from which he died, aged 42 years, in 1929. It is a true unpretentious insight into life in the mercantile marine some 90 years ago and has been magnificently edited...

The Brains That Enabled Victory by Gwilym Roberts This book concentrates on the technology which assisted the allies in Hitler’s downfall. From the Enigma machines, the inventions that defeated the magnetic mine, to the escort carriers and long-range aircraft that enabled U-boats to be attacked mid-Atlantic. It’s a fascinating read that includes time-lines of key events, illustrations and biographies of...

by J Laughton Johnston At least 1755 Shetland merchant mariners served in the Great War, of whom some 78 lost their lives in action. This book attempts to enumerate and identify these brave men who were involved in enemy action. Because of its strategic importance, the coast of Shetland was patrolled by a fleet of some 200-armed trawlers and drifters....

Smuggler, Privateer and Murderer by Terry Breverton The making of this book is just as fascinating as the story itself, as the author attempts to research the life of notorious smuggler, William Owen. Uncovering the truth amongst the lies, it became a true detective story. Along the way, we become acquainted with the rogue John Lilly, Owen’s adversary then accomplice,...

Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raffaello by Ian Sebire The 1960s saw a steady succession of elaborate new ‘ships of state’. They populated the world’s sea lanes, in futile defiance of the aircraft that flew above them. 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...

by Helen Doe At 94 pages, this book, by no means, would be able to do full justice to Brunel’s shipping ventures, but it is an excellent overview of his maritime projects. The famous Great Western, Great Britain and Great Eastern are bought together in this publication, but also some rather more humble craft. It all serves to provide a...

Tales of Wells Harbour by Robert Smith MBE, Wells Harbour Master The stories Robert Smith tells in this landmark book capture the soul of Wells-next-the-Sea on the North Norfolk coast. As long-serving Harbour Master and former lifeboatman, Robert reveals the characters and events that have shaped the history and spirit of this historic coastal town. The book also reveals Robert’s...