Inland Water and Coastal Shipping

Completed in 1876, author W. S. Lindsay provided a rare historic account of the history of merchant shipping and ancient commerce. It says much for this product that the only criticism I have is so “picky-picky” that it is mentioned only as an example of how little is wrong with the book. Altogether the work contains 62 chapters and numerous appendices set out in four volumes. Each volume commences with its own Chapter 1 instead of using a numbering system continuing throughout the entire work from 1 to 62. As I said, picky-picky. The work also includes, a small number of fold-out maps and some B&W illustrations of items such as famous ships or types of vessel.

What I really like about this work is that it starts at the very beginning with an introduction which describes how man first attempted to float on water by fashioning some form of rude craft. From then on, this book takes the reader through the entire history of maritime commerce right up to the, then, present day of 1876 when the book was completed. At the beginning we learn of the boatswain, carrack, trireme, qinquereme and all about the Vikings. Towards the end, we learn of the dangers of river navigation and of the races which existed between ships sailing to and from the Antipodes.

In a book completed over 30 years before the Titanic was even envisaged, this life’s work is a complete compendium of facts, figures and knowledge about trading by sea. Everything has been included and combines to provide a first class addition to any personal library.

This review relates to the full four volume set of books.

NM

Rating: 5 / 5