The Advent of Steam: The Merchant Steamship Before 1900

I am a great lakes shipwreck diver who is interested in understanding the history of the ships I dive on. I am also a mechanical engineer. This book presents a lot of details on the technology of steam ships as well as the economic imperatives that drove that technology. While great lakes shipping is not specifically touched on in this volume, much of the designs and equipment made their way on to the ships of the inland seas. It provides a compact, but detailed overview with lots of excellent illustrations and pictures.

It says much for the sport of Scuba Diving that I remain as excited about my diving as did on that day when I first plunged into the wintry waters of Strangford Lough over 26 years ago. When not underwater, however, one of the most exciting and pleasing aspects of being a "Professional Underwater Photo-Journalist," is researching the many shipwrecks available to Scuba Divers throughout the world. A single good shipwreck can change the economic fortunes of either a small Caribbean country or improve those of a more wealthy country on the other side of the globe. Not only that, I just enjoy telling their stories. A wreck-dive is, of course, much more than an ever-deteriorating pile of metal found underwater. This is a dive with a tale to tell and is often a brush with history. After all, apart from a few famous ships, very few historic vessels are ever preserved - so it is only underwater we get to see that which remains. Conway Maritime Press are a leading authority on ships and several of their now out-of-print books have provided me with sources of reference for many years. I only wish I had come across this particular book before today. "The Advent of Steam - The Merchant Steamship before 1900" is the fifth title in an ambitious programme of twelve books and measures approx. 12" x 10". The book is a limited edition of 2000 copies and is hard back. The list of contributors is impressive in itself - especially as they are headed by none other than Dr Basil Greenhill - former Director of the National Maritime Museum. As one would expect from a book with such impeccable credentials, it is extremely well researched and well put together. Easy to say, I know, but this is evidenced by a continual cross-reference to their own sources coupled with the reproduction of a great many historic photographs, diagrams and cross-sections of various ships and machinery - all of which bear testament to the painstaking work that has gone into checking and double checking every single entry. As the title suggests, this is a book about that fascinating time when the ship evolved from sail to steam power. It is about the people who made this possible and their designs. Many of the vessels were the leading-edge technology of the day - either because of their hull design or the revolutionary (no pun intended.) machinery installed within. There are, of course, far too many ships to mention by name here - but several are of particular interest to the Scuba Diver, not least of which are the Carnatic, Royal Charter and Orinoco - to name but three. This is an immensely readable book and one that is a "must" for any serious historian - be they amateur or professional, but get in quick - it is a limited edition and copies are selling fast. NM