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A cross between genuine privateers, commissioned to defend a country's colonies and trade, and outright pirates, buccaneers were largely English, French, and Dutch adventurers who plied the waters among the Caribbean Islands and along the coasts of Central America, Venezuela, and Colombia more than 300 years ago. The activities of these bands of plundering sea rovers reached a peak in the second half of the seventeenth century, when this remarkable
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The mystery, excitement, and romance of whaling have fired the human imagination since ancient times. And although many books have been written about whales and whaling, few have presented as comprehensive a pictorial survey of the whale ships of all periods as the present — and now rare — volume. Over 200 vintage engravings, drawings, and photographs depict a magnificent fleet of barks, brigs, cutters, and other whaling vessels, including...
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Superb, authoritative history of sailing vessels, with 80 magnificent line illustrations by noted maritime illustrator Gordon Grant. Ships include a Roman trireme, Viking longship, 16th-century caravel, New Bedford whaling bark, 19th-century brigantine, many more. Detailed text on each vessel by noted naval historian. Introduction. Appendix, including Notes.
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Written by an eminent authority on pirate lore and literature, The History of Piracy is one of the most important books on the subject. Tracing the rise of piracy from its ancient beginnings to its ultimate demise, it leads readers down an exciting path of fortune, fame, and folly. Within this exhaustive volume on the pirate "profession," readers will encounter an unforgettable cast of plundering characters - eccentric, dramatic, but always human....
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Describes and depicts in detail how 17th-century English, French, Dutch, and other European trading ships and warships were rigged, from the lower masts and bowsprit to the running rigging of the topsails and topgallants. Over 350 fine line drawings illustrate every rigging detail. 25 halftones.
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The best manual ever produced on rigging a sailing ship, based on extensively revised and updated 1848 edition prepared by Biddlecombe, Master in the Royal Navy. Complete definition of terms, on-shore operations, process of rigging ships, reeving the running rigging and bending sails, rigging brigs, yachts and small vessels, more. 17 plates.
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Rare volume, based on actual documents, recounts in lurid detail the life, atrocities and bloody death of the infamous Black Beard as well as the cold-blooded exploits of Jean Lafitte, Robert Kidd, Edward Low, Thomas White, Anne Bonney, Mary Read, and scores of other maritime marauders. Enhanced with over 70 atmospheric wood engravings. Introduction.
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A rare glimpse into the day-to-day shipboard procedures of the 19th-century. The author of Two Years Before the Mast outlines practical aspects of seamanship such as setting sails and tying knots as well as the roles and duties of each crew member. Includes a glossary of sea terms.
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Meticulously researched study based on authentic documents recounts lurid exploits, punishments of such hardened maritime brigands as William Kidd, Charles Harris, Thomas Tew, John Phillips, other marauders. Enhanced with almost 50 contemporary engravings and rare maps. Introduction by Captain Ernest H. Pentecost.
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From her shipyard construction and maiden voyage to her decades-long career as the world's most magnificent ocean liner, here is the grand history of Cunard's longest-serving vessel, the Queen Elizabeth 2. This lavishly illustrated book portrays the QE2's inherent beauty and ultramodern design as well as her glamour and charismatic appeal. The QE2's 1969 debut occurred amid the declining days of ocean liner travel, when most people were joining the...
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Gripping first-hand testimony by survivors, rescuers, and others brings the great maritime disaster into harrowing focus in this 1912 "memorial edition," first published shortly after the tragedy. Eyewitnesses recount heart-breaking tales of parting with loved ones, watching the great ship sink, and floating helplessly for long hours on icy seas. Numerous rare photographs.
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Upon its mid-19th-century publication, this book became the Bible of U.S. sailors. Its no-nonsense prose gives specific instructions for knotting and rigging, blacking the guns, and stationing the crew to dealing with the direst emergencies. Enhanced with 70 rare engravings, a glossary of sea terms, and 100 pages of useful tables.
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A maritime expert offers boating and yachting enthusiasts a complete course in rigging, working, and maintaining a ship. The perfect shipboard reference, this volume is packed with useful "hands-on" information: sailor's tools, basic knots, and useful hitches; handsewing and canvas work; and dozens of other topics important to safety, economy, and efficiency. Over 100 illustrations.
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An accurate portrait of a ship's rigging and masts, this important study by a U.S. Navy midshipman describes every improvement made in seafaring equipment up to the mid-19th century. Subjects cover everything from anchors, bobstays, booms, and cat-head stoppers, to flying jibs, halliards, nippers, and topsail buntlines. 29 line drawings; 189 figures.
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Definitive account covers every aspect of steamboat's development: its construction, equipment and operation; the organization and conduct of steamboat transportation as a business enterprise; the hazards and amenities of shipboard life; steamboat races on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers; collisions, explosions and fires; the rise of competition; the ultimate decline, and much more.