This text features 150 detailed historical photographs from The Francis Frith Collection with extended captions and a full introduction. It is suitable for tourists, local historians and general readers. Includes a voucher for a free mounted print redeemable with the publisher.

This is the first recent book to lift the lid off the crude oil tanker industry and to demonstrate that, contrary to general opinion, crude oil tankers are the safest and most regulated business/industry in the world. As an ex-supertanker navigating and deck officer, the author saw for himself during two recent voyages how ships were operated on a daily basis and everything was recorded exactly as it happened. These findings are important to all who wish to know what happens aboard the thousands of tankers that transport the vast quantities of unrefined oil used for the diverse essential commodities in our daily lives. Other issues are confronted such as the efforts made by the industry to deal with flag states and sub-standard operators that do not readily conform to international laws and conventions; the examination of double-hulled tanker construction; the protection of tanks against rusting and corrosion; water ballast transference; cutting greenhouse emissions and sea pollution prevention, including the environmentally-safe dispersal of marine growths on the hull. Light is cast upon a number of topical issues such as international piracy; concern with the worldwide fall in numbers of officers and ratings; up-to-date methods of securing their training; safety on board ship and the navigation of the tankers themselves, along with the latest efforts to regulate ship breaking on Asian beaches. The determined efforts of the crude oil tanker industry including its proactive initiatives to make each tanker safe and efficient at sea provide a fascinating account which is at times surprisingly dramatic.

A social and historical narrative depicting life in the British Merchant Navy during the 1950s - the golden age of shipping. This story chronicles the growth of a youth, from naive 16-year-old to a mature young man, capable eventually of accepting the grave responsibilities entrusted to a watch-keeping officer on the bridge of an ocean-going ship. The reader follows his voyage escapades and sees him ambushed by pitfalls resulting largely from his innocence. Collectively these incidents capture the atmosphere of service as a navigating officer cadet in yesterday's Merchant Navy. Cargo handling and seafaring were then highly labour intensive. Ships were smaller in capacity and, with their forest of derricks, were constructed differently from today's clear-deck container and bulk carriers, but needed larger crews. Seamen nevertheless enjoyed a leisurely life, accepting as 'the norm' worldwide cargo delays and strikes, and having to invent their own unique brand of shipboard entertainment. With humorous touches, the author brings alive a lifestyle which epitomised excitement and adventure during this 'golden age' of international shipping, and where young people were expected to meet demanding everyday challenges.

Extract from Foreword by John F. Millican, Director, Warsash Maritime Academy, Southampton, UK...Dr. Solly has very cleverly woven together a social history of seafaring in the post-war years...you discover just how well the author ...has captured the experience of being at sea ...a wonderfully evocative read, and an important contribution to the history of the period. This story continues the adventures of Jonathan Caridia, the narrator in "Mariner's Launch", and shows his continued professional and social growth.Written in an eminently readable style which encourages empathy with the narrator, the reader shares Jonathan's pride at leaving behind his cadetship and experiences his uncertainties when he joins his first vessel as Third Navigating Officer. Jonathan impresses as a very real person encountering new challenges and some dramatic situations, which he handles responsibly and with increasing confidence. The reader learns how he confronts new challenges and handles his responsibilities, often conveying a laconic, dry sense of humour.Seafaring then was more leisurely than today, yet "Mariner's Voyage" is not only for veterans but is also a must for younger readers and all who enjoy rattling a good read. Seafarer's expectations today may have changed a little, although computerisation requires different skills, but going to sea will always be exciting. The sea remains a demanding and challenging taskmaster for those navigating vessels and does not suffer fools gladly. This true-to-life adventure story of a young man's development in his maritime career will ring true with many seafarers, being appreciated by veteran and young sailors alike. It also gives a detailed and enjoyable picture of the 'golden age of shipping' and will be of great appeal to all maritime enthusiasts and armchair sailors.

This is the well-written account of Jonathan Carridia's final years at sea as a senior second and chief officer. He chronicles the events that led him to leave the sea before being confirmed in a period of temporary command and relates the gruelling interview processes before being accepted as a mature student. Jonathan describes in atmospheric terms incidents in the Far East and the initial awe he experienced when joining a very large supertanker - the class of ship for which he had yearned since his early days as a cadet. Following a spate of serious accidents leading to loss of life and vessel, Jonathan's decisive role in questioning and challenging the casual approach to maritime practices current at that time is excellently portrayed...Once arrangements were confirmed I relaxed completely and savoured my final couple of voyages navigating this magnificent ship as extra chief officer...I remained convinced that 'swallowing the anchor' and venturing into a new career was the correct course for me to follow. The challenges of navigation and collision avoidance, plus the comradeship I had experienced at sea would truly be missed, but other than that I would leave the Merchant Navy without regrets. It was time to move on in life and doubtless carry a raft-load of diverse experiences and countless happy memories along with me. Thus concludes the third in the maritime trilogy by Ray Solly which will be of special appeal to those who have already enjoyed Mariner's Launch and Mariner's Voyage.