A sought-after classic by this well-respected chronicler of Sydney's and Australia's maritime life and history.

see image for precis

signed by the author December 1975 (A christmas present?)

130 pp. over 200 photos some in colour. Table of ferry statistics. Translations of Aboriginal names

Very Fine condition in plastic wrapper

 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

"It can't be easy to turn a documentary about navigation and clock mechanics into  a gripping narrative but Sobel has done a great job. 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.

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

Three copies.

Two in very fine condition 

One in very good condition apart from some creasing of corners

Make your choice here    >

see image for precis

A very stimulating read. Restored, she now resides at Portsmouth beside Victory and Mary Rose

190 pp. over 100 photos, fine drawings by original Marine Architect. Appendices, including specifications

Index

Very Fine condition in plastic wrapper

A compilation of the work of this famous pioneer photographer showing life in and around the fishing port of Whitby, Yorkshire. Atmospheric and a beautiful artistic view of the hard life of the fishermen, fishwives, seamen and the people of Whitby in the late 19th century, just as sail was beginning to give way to steam.

A treasure. 

quarto format 60 pp. very good condition

A beautifully illustrated , comprehensive history of the world's greatest ports; their growth and importance in our economic and cultural life today.

Hard cover, dust cover in fine condition. 310 pp. over 300 photos, many in colour. many maps of each port, and of their home cities. Full text.

Very fine condition, preserved in clear plastic wrapper.

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. vintage .Maps

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

A nice little picture book showing many of the fascinating types of river boats, both modern and vintage. 

120 pp. over 90 photos, B&W and colour. Historic texts, specifications, and fleet lists. 

soft cover Very good condition

A lovely compilation of paintings by the author, with descriptive captions giving the location of the ship and its story. Many relate to Murray River paddlers, but there are ferries, sailing ships and tugs. And a Northern Rivers dredge.

approx 160 pp., 82 paintings full colour. Very enjoyable

Very fine condition

It reads like an imaginative novel of the sea, but it's real adventure, of the ship Anna Lombard. Adding to the whimsy that not even its real name! See image for chapter names which give an idea of the far-reaching adventure.

A really fun read with many exciting moments 

Hard cover cloth in the old style with gold-embossed spine. some sunning and mild spotting of pages

Good condition

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 >

Wilh Wilhelmsen's distinctive orange-hulled freighers were famous and in Tampa's case, sadly infamous, but highly moral.

A history of a company deeply woven into Australian shipping history. The men the ships and the cargoes, and war service over 100 years begiining 1895.

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

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

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.

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 true stories 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

A very poignant study very profusely illustrated and deeply researched. Not a coffee table book, a serious history very readable, gripping in parts.

218 pp. paperback over 200 photos some colour

Very good condition

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

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 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 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

.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. 

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