Out-of-print and highly sought after

From early pre-colonial times to wartime to tourist destination, Cleverly pictures the moods and identities of the waterways. Profusely illustrated with detailed text. A delightful read in a most elegant design. 

Two editions

Hardback 360 pp. 100+ photos cover wrapper intact. Very Good  condition.  

Soft cover 360 pp. approx. 100 photos. some colour. pub. 2009 UNSW Press. 

choose below

A fine old style hard back cloth-bound complete history of the company from 1837 to 1937

Large type making easy reading, it is a really enjoyable and meaningful book, uplifting and amusingly written without compromising accuracy.

288 pp. approx 20 photos and paintings, many colour plates. 

Remarkably inscribed inside front cover " J. Whyte. CHIEF ENGINEER

P&O RMS MOOLTAN.               COLOMBO 6th October 1937"  

" Managing Director's Compliments "

Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company 122 Leadenhall Street London E.C.3

Very Good condition with no damage or missing pages. Dust cover intact but scuffed and badly sunned.

A fascinating read especially for former P&O travellers.

photos show endpapers and title page

The author retired as Commodore of the Cunard Line in 1947 at the peak of its operations.

These are some of his reminiscences of over 40 years at sea from Apprenticeship onward.

"Great stuff,  the best sailing ship reminiscences I have come across"  -- Alan Villiers.

The story (one of several books) covers his years in sailing ships up to taking his First Mate's exam in 1905.

pub. 1958  Angus and Robertson  Sydney reprinted 1959. Several photos including one of 'Great Eastern'

284 pp. very good condition but dust cover poor.

My early years in Steamers

The author retired as Commodore of the Cunard Line in 1947 at the peak of its success.

The story (one of several books) covers his years in steam ships up to  1913, which included rescuing survivors of Titanic, aboard Carpathia.

Riveting stuff

pub. 1959  Angus and Robertson  Sydney reprinted 1960. Several photos.

318 pp. very good condition but dust cover poor.

From war service in Royal Naval Reserve to captaincy of Queen Mary, and appointment to  Commodore of the Cunard Line in 1947 at the peak of its success.

Inspiring tales of the finest days of the Royal Navy and the Cunard Line.

Bisset's career finished with retirement to Manly, NSW when he began the series of three very interesting and at times thrilling memoirs 

 pub. 161   Angus and Robertson  Sydney Several photos.

470 pp. very good condition but dust cover fair.

The author himself, a very famous skipper of fully rigged ships and widely travelled sailor, covers every aspect of the ship from building in Dumbarton in 1869 to her preservation.

96 pp. over 40 illustrations, paintings and photos, all B&W

Very good condition dust cover very good, some sunning.

May 1963, June 1963, April 1970  published in Liverpool UK and thus of great historical interest. (A kind of Meccano Magazine of ships if you get the drift)

articles about many aspects of shipping. all good condition.

60 pp. many photos drawings and period ads.

A pictorial record from 1930 to 1936 from the laying down of keel through launching fitting out and voyages. 

Fascinating views of her sumptuous interiors, and propulsion machinery.

approx 60 pages over 100 photos all B&W. hard cover 

full descriptive text with all photos.

Good condition, some fading and sunning of cover.

The full story of the famous French liner from building in 1926 to eventual sale and breaking-up in 1958

After war service with the British,  1939 to 1945 she was rebuilt extensively and returned to the Atlantic run.

A very adventurous king-lived ship and a well written tale full of amusing anecdotes.

184 pp. over 30 photos.

Good condition some sunning and some spotting of a few pages.

The WWII history of the P & O Line whose ships served many vital functions, steaming 4.5 million miles on active service.

A fascinating tribute to the bravery of the British merchant navy.

194 pp. several photos. Good condition. Dust jacket some tears.

"An ideal book for the seafarer or the landlubber who craves the smell of Stockholm Tar.--who wishes to be whiled away by the sound of the wind in the sails of a square rigged ship."

Stories and pictures of the work of the men and ships of the great age of sail -- approximating that of "James Craig".

158 pp. index. approx 40 photos all B&W.

An absorbing read, and a book to pass on to others.

very good condition. dust cover has some scuffing plus small tear one corner.

Railways and Roads grew, shipping declined, leaving once substantial structures irrelevant. 

This book looks closely at them, including such great inland ports as Bourke, profusely illustrated deeply researched and entertainingly written by a famous student of Australia's marine history.

hard cover 186 pp. over 80 photos all B&W. pub. 1984

Fine condition.

Soft covers published 1977 174 pp. Fair condition only. Detached front cover and loose rear cover. needs repair. Text unaffected.

The history from beginning to end of the lifeblood of the NSW North Coast, the coastal cargo and passenger steamers.

Sometimes there were catastrophic misadventures along the treacherous rugged coastline of bars rocks and tricky river entrances.

20 photos and paintings all B&W. Index of all known vessels on the run. 

appendices

List of vessels and their page number in text

Extracts from NCSN Co regulations

Clarence River cargo summary 1940

Shipping advertisements 1917

Maps

The stirring tale of the history then abandonment then recovery and the massive task of complete restoration to full seaworthiness. The full story one of SHF's finest possessions by one of the workers

Drawings, old documents 

Soft cover 90 pp. approx 100 photos mostly colour many "people" photos taken during restoration

Two copies.

One in very fine condition 

One in good condition apart from some creasing of corners

Make your choice here    >

62 pp. 30 drawings B&W of the unique steamships, dredges and wharves, and life on the Murray and tributaries.

Very good condition except for torn cover (repaired roughly)

"It can't be easy to turn a documentary about navigation and clock mechanics into  a gripping narrative but Sobel has done a great. The ghosts of mariners come alive and she's passionate about Harrison and his clocks".

An important book telling the story of the man who created the chronometer so essential to accurate navigation.

Joseph Harrison faced prejudice and trickery but persevered for 40 years to perfect his  instrument.

A good read and a book to pass around to other maritime fans.

Soft cover 182 pp. GOOD condition. index (illustration shows one of two editions)

A triumph of historical narrative, brilliantly woven tale of the fearful privations endured by all involved. Villainy and heroism vie for the readers attention.

The depth of research and Fitzsimons' absorbing insights into the minds of those involved make it an awe-inspiring read. One comes away feeling everything that happened has been fully explained. The villains turn out to be not quite those expected.

Prologue Epilogue Bibliography Index and Dramatis Personae add to the impressive tale

613 pp. published 2018 two sections of illustrations in colour. Maps.

Very Good condition with some scuffing of spine. Dust cover Fine.

An outstanding history of the major ships and shipping lines which plied the Australia trade from Europe during the 1920s thru the 1970s. P&O, Sitmar,  Cogedar, Flotta Lauro, Huddart Parker, over 25 companies covered with copious illustrations.

Large format 210 pp.  approx 200 photos all B&W

Vessel by vessel chronologically. Each ship is photographed with detailed historical text

220 pp. hard cover.  Over 100 photos all B&W. Fleet lists bibliography and index

Fine condition with small dent at top RHS 

Vessel by vessel chronologically. Each ship is photographed with detailed historical text

220 pp. hard cover.  Fleet lists bibliography and index

Fine condition with small tear at front lower RHS of dust cover

All in Good condition (or as new) . All have been chosen for their general good readability and interest to maritime enthusiasts.

Click on a thumbnail to view each title, and hover with the mouse to enlarge the image.

 All are well written and good reading.

note abbreviations HC = hard cover SC=soft cover

pp. =pages.

IP. = illustrated with photos

Select yours below >

The story of Anson's famous voyages around the world in the 18th century, 1730 onward.

Anson became a Commodore in the Royal Navy and was sent on many long voyages of adventure and asserting of the might of the RN

A very readable concise yet amusing history derived from official records and contemporary reports, 

Easily readable large type, 218 pp. some illustrations. hard back, solidly bound, art paper.

Good condition, dust jacket poor.

Wide ranging taking a peek at some aspects of US ships from 17th century up to USS United States 

Entertaining and informative 

282 pp. Index photo sections ad drawings

Shipping company by company the book describes 228 ships in detail and 24 of lesser importance. 

134 pp. illustrations are all line drawings. Index and Fleet list by size 

Fine condition  A very useful reference

110 pp. published 1972

52 fine pen and ink sketches of vessels of all types, sail steam ocean and river trade, with extensive descriptive and historical text.

Very Good condition

Illustrated history of steam ships around Australia and NZ 1840 to 1970

128 pp. hard covers over 150 photos all historic B&W

Fine condition very slight denting/scoring of dust cover

"An ideal book for the seafarer or the landlubber who craves the smell of Stockholm Tar, who wishes to be whiled away by the sound of the wind in the sails of a square-rigged ship".

Full of sea-lore, mythology, superstition and curious experiences. Some epic voyages described, and individual ships explored.

A book to leave the reader happy. And informed.

320 pp. over 1000 illustrations all B&W.

Every country's ships described in detail. (Even Cuba)

Fine condition.

320 pp. over 1000 illustrations all B&W.

Every country's ships described in detail. (Even Peru)

Fine condition.

320 pp. over 1000 illustrations all B&W.

Includes US Coastguard

Fine condition. with some slight tearing of dust cover corner rear

362 pp. over 800 Illustrations some maps all B&W

Very Fine condition

pub. 1994  combines reprint of three Ian Allan volumes 1987

352 pp. over 500 illustrations all B&W.

Looks at a world wide variety of ships individually rather than by country

Fine condition. 

An illustrated history of some of the ocean liners of the 20th century pressed into war service in WWI and WWII. British German ships described in well-researched detail.

160 pp. over 150 photos all B&W. Index. Text notes and Bibliography.

From the earliest crossings by tall sail, bearing thousands of fearfull immigrants, to the glories of 1930' liners the book describes the wonderful progress of Atlantic passage,

He concludes however that jets will never supplant sea travel because it is so much more luxurious....

A worthwhile read for those who love the joy of sea travel

Published 1961, Harrap. Hard back 240 pp. full index,approx 40 photos all B&W

Fine condition, dust cover small tears at corners.

The Authorised Story.

Much research and input from Cunard give the inside story on this great symbol of British marine history.

A fascinating story told with great skill.

190 pp. full index approx 20 photos and drawings.

Fine condition. dust cover very slight creasing

A must-read. The full history of the shipping company which commissioned Titanic, and sister ship Olympic but before that many liners with the -ic name ending. 

Starting with its founder, T H Ismay the story moves through the Titanic sinking, to the company's  eventual demise after being the most successful shipping line in the world.

An inspiring read.

286 pp. Index several photos.

Very Good condition dust cover virtually perfect. some sunning of upper face

The author is  a retired Captain of Marines, and well-known authority on Merchant shipping.

A wonderful tour through all things maritime. Sail steam machinery, boilers, undersea work. "A wealth of nautical lore".

It has appeal to seafarers and spectators. 

252 pp. 60 photos all B&W, some drawings. Written in an amusing but informative style

Very good condition, Dust cover some small tears and scuffing.

Country by country, class by class photo and detailed histories of each type.

290 pp. over 500 photos all B&W

Very Fine condition

272 pp. over 300 illustrations paintings photos drawings plans some in colour

Very good condition except for tear in dustcover spine

Covers warships from the Viking ships to nuclear subs

A study of the ships and methods world-wide as at 1947

224 pp. maps drawings and .many photos. D pics of species

hard cover fair cond.

"A collection of outstanding writing about people at sea."  Includes pieces by Dickens, Hickey Stevenson Conrad Verne Coward Melville Brassey Kipling Masefield Belloc Baden Powell,  A pantheon of great writers and a joyful read.

The words "avast" or "rigging creaking in the wind"  are not used.

396 pp. Some illustrations . 

in Fine condition

Mainly but not entirely about the bravery of the men and the fate of so many fine ships of the merchant marine during WWII.  

Many photos and illustrations plus  40 superb sectioned explanatory drawings.

A fascinating piece of history yet not dated: the times described seem like only yesterday.

256 pp. index. Good condition cloth bound

A history not of signals themselves but of the really significant ones made in times of crisis and the events involved

252  pp. some photos B&W many drawings

soft cover fair cond.

A detailed year by year account of the sad ends suffered by so many ships. All is here; the dates the circumstances the aftermath. 

C5 size 198 pp.  approx 50 photos all B&W some drawings some maps

A valuable history and absorbing read.

A detailed year by year account of the sad ends suffered by so many ships. All is here; the dates the circumstances the aftermath. 

C5 size 148 pp.  approx 40 photos all B&W some drawings some maps, several detailed indexes

A valuable history and absorbing read.

Very Fine condition

Primarily an illustrated text book study of the nuts bolts pulleys ropes sails hulls  masts rudders figureheads engines of every ship type from Viking longboats onward all described in exquisite line drawings with full numbered descriptions and introductory text to each section.

A perfect companion to every seafarer's quest for knowledge.  A most elegant piece of deeply researched information.

280 pp. over 3,000  drawings some full colour

Fine condition except for  small tear at base of dust cover spine.

A rare and precious collector's piece

A very readable broad-ranging collection of photos, narratives , ship types, warships, trading ships, sailing and steam propulsion .

470 pp.   Index

Lavishly illustrated with over 600 illustrations - photos paintings drawings and maps, mostly in colour. Fine condition 

Click on the photos at left to read a synopsis.

A very readable study of the  magnificent Great Barrier rRef, and the threats facing it, by a skin diver, and passionate advocate of its conservation. Factual not a diatribe.

388 pp. some photos B&W and 16 page colour photo section.  Beautifully presented book would make a useful gift to an interested sea goer.

Large clear type making it a pleasure to read.

Very fine condition, as new

 The whole story from inception, intriguing early designs, to the present day

Many photos drawings cartoons , posters

120 pp.  over 150 illustrations hard cover

Fine condition some creasing of dust cover only  pub. 1982 Allen and Unwin

The title says it all but rest assured this is a deeply researched story of the family and their magnificent lighthouses around the coast of Britain. Including the heroic Bell Rock, in the Firth of Forth.  How each was built amid sometimes horrendous sea conditions. 

Photo and drawing section, map. Index and Bibliography for further research

Two copies:

284 pp. soft cover . GOOD condition with some sunning of pages. very slight dent at lower RHS cover

282 pp hard cover Very good condition. dust cover unmarked.

make your choice here: >

The complete account by the leader of the expedition to cross the Pacific from Callao to Rarioa Reef

298 pp hard cover in solid presentation case 

Very Fine condition.  map photo sections B&W. . Index 

A history of a company deeply woven into Australian shipping history. The men the ships and the cargoes, and war service.

160 pp. hard cover with dust jacket  fine condition. Many photos B&W 

A very detailed study of the ship's history, the social background, its voyages and final loss. Then the discovery of the wreck and its exploration by remote controlled sub built by the discoverer of the Titanic. pub. 1995

228 pp. over 200 illustrations B&W and colour. Index

Hard cover Fine condition

A pictorial account of the ship's history, the social background, its voyage and final  discovery of the wreck and its exploration by remote controlled sub built by the author. pub. 1988

64 pp. over 100 illustrations B&W and colour. glossary and bibliography

Soft cover Fair condition

A pictorial study of this class of Australian Navy vessels, 

80 pp. over 100 illustrations B&W . Fleet lists Aust and NZ

Soft cover Good condition

Robert Ballard is famous for developing a deep water submarine to discover and explore the wreck of the Titanic.

In this book he uses the sub. to locate and study the wrecks of battleships sunk during the fierce WWII  battle against the Imperial Japanese navy for the crucial island of Guadalcanal off the Philippines. Accompanying the search are surviving sailors from some of the  sunken ships.  Included is HMAS Canberra.

The story of the  sea and land battle, and its historical significance,  is given in detail.

Hardback 228 pages 100s of photos colour and historic B&W

Fine condition with a dent and small tear in the top RHS of dust cover

The Northern voyages.

A brilliantly readable account of all known voyages across the North Atlantic prior to 1660. Written with great good humour, debunking a few myths along the way.

A thorough history in a professional narrative style. many photos paintings and drawings, maps. full index.

710 pp. hard cover fair condition, dust jacket poor.

A big read for little outlay

From a very prolific maritime author incl.   "Fatal Storm"

A sought after publication, deeply researched. 16 page colour section. very large index

pub. 12013 ABC Books

464 pp. 24x16  size  very fine condition

Deeply researched and highly readable as a history of a tough occupation.

160 pp. many drawings maps and tables.

Fine condition

Could be a coffee table book but definitely is not. 

From Lepanto, to the Armada to Midway in 1942 the causes and progress of each encounter are studied with accompanying detail on vessels, armaments and personnel. Many tables and diagrams.

Deeply researched fully illustrated mainly by artists' paintings and drawings, and from late 19th century by photos all B&W

302 pages. Hard cover Book condition very good. dust cover poor, torn and creased in places at rear

.Deeply researched fully illustrated mainly by artists' paintings and drawings, and from late 19th century by photos all B&W

70  pages. soft cover  condition very good. 

Includes numerous news items  from SHF plus many other absorbing articles. Produced to very high standards.

published by SHF 2013   44 pp. Fair condition

Includes numerous news items  from SHF plus many other absorbing articles. Produced to very high standards.

published by SHF 2012   36 pp. Very Good condition

Includes numerous news items  from SHF plus many other absorbing articles. Produced to very high standards.

published by SHF Spring 2012   36 pp. New condition

A collection of all 4 volumes of this very readable series.         Each book approx 300 pages in length

Each includes approx 100 illustrations photos (vol IV) paintings and drawings all B&W,  with colour frontispiece   A marine historian's  delight.

Hard cover beautifully patterned and gold=embossed. All are in Fair to Good condition with some scuffing and occasional loosening of binding. No damage.            Weighty tomes each about 1.5 kg.

Offered as a full set at this special price

vol.. 1 to 1697

vol 2 1698 to 1783

vol. 3  1784 to 1814

vol. 4  1815 to 1875

Military Land Battles.

A collection of all 3 volumes of this very unusual series.         Each book approx 750 pages in length

Each includes approx 100 illustrations mostly etchings and drawings all B&W,  with full page frontispiece   A military historian's  delight.

Hard cover beautifully patterned and gold=embossed. All are in Fair to Good condition with some scuffing and occasional loosening of binding. No damage.            Weighty tomes each about 1.5 kg.

Offered as a full set at this special price