Ship recycling on an epic scale
From War to Peace, by Nick Robins
Authors have thoroughly documented the stories of merchant vessels that were converted for wartime; the redundant navy ships that went the other way are less well known.
Nick Robins sets the record straight in a book that includes the 19th century as well as the world wars. This thorough account covers cruisers turned to liners, minesweepers to ferries, military launches to private yachts, corvettes to whale-catchers, and many other surprising transformations.
Technical descriptions are sometimes provided alongside the historical detail, and there are images on every page to illustrate the changes. Perhaps the industry could take inspiration from this book when approaching the current transition to cleaner maritime technology?
From War to Peace: The Conversion of Naval Vessels after Two World Wars
By Nick Robins
Seaforth Publishing, £25
ISBN: 978 13990 09584
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.