Back in time to a lost era of craftsmanship
The Vanishing Age of Sail: The Illustrated Journals of Kelsick Wood, Shipbuilder by Simon Francis Brown
Th
e Vanishing Age of Sail offers a richly textured glimpse into 19th-century maritime life through the illustrated journals of shipbuilder Kelsick Wood. Balancing contracts and inventories with increasingly intricate sketches and watercolours, Wood's journal pages reveal both his craft and creativity, situating small coastal shipyards within Britain’s wider economic expansion.
Detailed period drawings – faces, figureheads, and working scenes – capture the world around the shipbuilder and the human stories behind the vessels, providing a window onto an ancient craft.
Charming touches hint at Wood's personality and relationships with clients, with beautifully drawn figurehead illustrations decorating invoices for a three-vessel project constructing the James Ray, the Wilton Wood and the Coeur de Lion.
Simon Francis Brown's visually engaging book will appeal to enthusiasts of maritime and social history alike. Drawn from surviving journals (1828–1837), this carefully curated collection is supported by scholarly notes and a bibliography.
The Vanishing Age of Sail: The Illustrated Journals of Kelsick Wood, Shipbuilder
By Simon Francis Brown
Amberley, £16.99
ISBN: 978 13981 24912
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