A concise history of the magnificent defence put up by men of the Desert Army against Romme's and the Luftwaffe's determined efforts to strangle this valuable port of entry for supplies.  Losses of shipping were horrendous but the defence held and enabled the Allies' army to drive Rommel out of Africa

It is profusely illustrated with photos of high quality by Damien Parer and Frank Hurley, supplied from the archives of the Australian War Memorial.

114 pp. over 150 photos all B&W.

New condition

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.

Detailed descriptions of over 60 surviving steam boats , sorted by their home ports, and giving date of construction, builder, propulsion, dimensions etc.

Chapters on river and ports history, traffic, specialised vessels such as the milk boats, making a pleasingly full picture of Murray River navigation

Soft cover, 128 pp. over 200 photos mostly colour. Elegantly-produced in high resolution on matt gloss paper.

New condition.

A book to keep and refer to over time

"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)

The histories of five naval heroes of the 19th Century.  Howe, Hood, Sidney Smith, Rodney, Camelford, Charles Napier

Each chapter is a book in itself, telling the story of each man's impressive achievements and moments of genius.

8 portraits, several maps

296 pp.on rough cut art paper, cloth bound in buckram. Good tight condition some sunning of paper, no damage, some scuffing of corners

A fine quality book

Each service during both World Wars produced fascinating volumes of contributions by service personnel. The Anzac Book of 1916 was a first.

The Australian Navy's first two such books were well-received: leading to this, Vol 3

First edition 1944 over 200 contributions including accounts of battles, verse, cartoons, memoirs by men and officers, photos, drawings,  and some fine paintings by war artists. Much history and much good humour.

Unique and valuable. 

200 pp. over 120 illustrations ; photos paintings drawings etchings and cartoons . some very funny

Very good firm condition. Dust cover in tatters. pages toned by sunlight.

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

Very good condition apart from some creasing of corners

Foolscap size soft cover. 

122 pp. over 150 historic photos giving a wonderful insight into the development of one of  the largest municipalities in Sydney, from 1792 to the 1960s.

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.

It reads like an imaginative novel of the sea, but it's real adventure, of the ship Anna Lombard. Adding to the whimsy, that's 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 >

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

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, RL 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 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.

 Fine condition

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

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