Product Description

This is an encyclopaedia covering 1000 of the world's best-known and significant vessels of every size and type. Each ship is described in a short essay which captures its physical characteristics, construction and history. Even fictional ships and boats, such as "The African Queen" are included. The grandeur and grace of ocean-going vessels is shown in 200 illustrations, while maps help the reader to follow the courses of great seafarers and naval campaigns, and chronologies offer a perspective on underwater archaeological sites, naval warfare, maritime technology, exploration and disasters at sea.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #191037 in Books
• Published on: 1999-07-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 712 pages

From the Publisher
An Historical Encyclopedia
'Ships of the World' is a comprehensive and highly readable encyclopedia describing more than a thousand of the world's best-known and most significant vessels of every size and type from the earliest times through to the present day. The book covers some of the most famous names in maritime history, as well as noteworthy workaday craft that merit attention simply by their amazing utility and improbable achievements. Some ships are included because they disappeared in mysterious circumstances, while others appear because of the breathtaking seafaring and navigational skills of their masters. On the other hand, several are featured for their incredible incompetence that led to their destruction, often with great loss of life. In addition to actual ships and boats, fictional vessels such as the 'African Queen', 'Red October' and the 'Ship of Fools', are included.

Charting the development of one of the greatest and most influencial of all human inventions, 'Ships of the World' is not only an invaluable reference work for those interested in maritime history and culture, but also fascinating reading for anyone who simply enjoys sailing.