More historic objects, with a cargoship focus
Mariners’ Memorabilia Vol. 3, by Peter Laister
Those who are looking for detail should enjoy diving into volume three of this four-volume set by Peter Laister.
The author – a former seafarer, along with his wife – has put enormous effort into collecting china used aboard British merchant ships and taking high-quality photographs for publication. This volume looks mainly at coastal vessels, with some foreign deepsea ships included too.
The china is the star here in terms of the images, and there is also a good five-page introduction to this material. The rest of the text in the book is about the vessels and (often obscure) companies that owned them, with plenty of interesting titbits.
48 different companies are covered in detail, with plenty of others getting a mention – meaning that those readers who are more interested in maritime history than pottery will still find something to catch their eye.
Mariners’ Memorabilia Vol. 3: a guide
to the china of British shipping companies
of the 19th and 20th centuries
By Peter Laister
Bernard McCall Publishing, £12.00
ISBN: 978 19029 53984
Buy this book in the Nautilus Bookshop
While you're there, why not browse the rest of the titles in our unique maritime bookshop, which sells all the books reviewed on these pages.
Buy nowMore Books
Carving out a career
Ships' Figureheads: Famous Carving FamiliesThe decoration of ships with figureheads was a way to present the might of military and mercantile power for centuries. These days, the skills needed to make these sculptures are kept alive by experts such as Andrew Peters, who has worked on restoration projects such as the Cutty Sark tea clipper.
Knotty problems solved
The Knot Bible: The Complete Guide to Knots And Their Uses by Nic ComptonKnot-tying is a vital competency skill for seafarers, and this expanded edition of The Knot Bible by Nic Compton offers guidance on over 200 knots and their practical uses.
Why it's nice to splice
Splicing modern ropes, 2nd edition: a practical handbook by Jan-Willem PolmanSplicing rope is as an essential skill for seafarers as tying a knot, but some skills are disappearing. This definitive guide on why splicing gets more from your rope is a great stocking filler for all boaters, whether recreational or commercial.
Heartfelt and humorous account of a career founded on fishing
Welcome Home - Fish or No Fish, by Skipper John RobertsWelcome Home – Fish or No Fish is a memoir that carries readers from the shores of Grimsby across the world’s oceans, charting a remarkable career at sea.