"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)

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 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.

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 group of operating steamers.

Cutaway colour drawings, section drawings of machinery.   Full specifications

Soft cover 32 pp. approx 30 photos mostly B&W

very good condition carries dedication

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    >

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

An elegantly produced deeply researched of the company with such strong links to Australia.

From early steam ships up to Oriana and the first purpose built cruise ships.

240 pp over 200 photos drawings and paintings. many in colour except historic B&W. Large index

soft cover   Celebrates 150th anniversary

Very Fine condition

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 . 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.

 Worthwhile reading.

Select yours below >

note abbreviations HC = hard cover

pp. =pages.

IP. = illustrated with photos

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

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.

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

The condition of the dust cover is unfortunate.

The book is in very good condition with only slight scuffing of corners.

100 pp. a very concise history from the 1600s  of shipping out of Bristol, an extraordinary port accessible only at high tide after braving fearful tidal currents in the Bristol Channel and being  held at high water by dock gates. 

110 pp. several appendices some photos drawings and paintings all B&W.

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

The loss of two proud colonial clippers packed with immigrants, both wrecked in Bass Strait, their voyages nearly over.

The book describes the wrecks of the Schonberg and the Loch Ard, combining the authors earlier works,  and moves to the subsequent sometimes tumultuous inquiries.

Highly readable.

188 pp.  photo section some drawings all B&W

Fine condition

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 pictorial overview of many historical aspects of ocean going vessels all around Australian well-illustrated .

120 pp. over 60 pictures, photos paintings, some colour,  and drawings.

Fine condition 

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 

Autobiography of an exceptional master seaman of Viking descent.

A gripping read by a man who could "make landfall within 100 yards using his thumb as a sextant"

232 pp. hard cover Index. many pen drawings all B&W.

Fine condition only slight scuffing to top of dust cover.

83 pp. many line drawings

hard cover fair cond.

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

A valuable and entertaining firsthand account of the most turbulent years of the Sydney waterfront.

By a foreman wharfie who rose to be manager of his company.

pub 1974  250 pp.  some photos of work in the 30s 40s and 50s

Fine condition

Absorbing pictorial study of the many ports along this great seaboard of the Netherlands

Hard cover

More than 250  photos of the work the wharves and ships in the  50s and 60s

Good  condition torn dustcover

great browsing

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