Maritime Archives - The History Press

The Aristocrat and the Able Seaman

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 04:01:20 +0000

When *Titanic *left Southampton in 1912, neither the Aristocrat, The Countess of Rothes, nor the Able Seaman, Thomas Jones, imagined meeting, let alone navigating a tiny lifeboat together at night, among towering icebergs. But Jones put Noël Rothes at the tiller of his boat when he realised her calm capability, and for seven long hours they did all they could to shepherd at least twenty-five others to safety. Their ordeal forged an unlikely affinity that lasted until Noël died in 1956. Angela Young, Noël’s great-granddaughter, tells the stories of these two courageous *Titanic *survivors and considers why so very few people survived the tragedy.

The post The Aristocrat and the Able Seaman appeared first on The History Press.

Olympic & Titanic

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 04:01:08 +0000

It is impossible to understand Titanic without appreciating the broader context: the development of the White Star Line and its competitors in the preceding decades; Anglo-German competition; the British fear of the ‘American peril’ as foreign capital increasingly controlled British shipping companies; and the relentless advance in shipbuilding and technology. This definitive reference volume explores the lead up to the construction of Olympic and Titanic; providing a step-by-step account of the design process; looking at the financial, logistical and political obstacles they had to tackle; the ups and downs of Olympic’s maiden season in 1911 and 1912; and summarising Titanic’s disastrous end. Relying on extensive primary source research and presenting much unpublished data, this new book is not only a valuable reference tool, but provides an essential insight into understanding this period of history.

The post Olympic & Titanic appeared first on The History Press.

The Royal Navy Day by Day

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 04:01:22 +0000

The Royal Navy Day by Day, the splendid history of the Senior Service across 500 years, presented as a diary of daily events, has become a familiar and much-loved part of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. It is the standard naval history reference book employed daily throughout the Fleet. Here are recorded not just great battles but also minor actions by small ships, and the service of men and women, sailors, Royal Marines, the WRNS, aircrew, submariners, and RFA and Merchant Navy personnel, down the generations. It is also the Royal Navy’s own story – what was done to it by the sea, the enemy and the Admiralty – and the traditions and customs, the quirks and eccentricities it has gathered around itself. This book is a tribute to the Royal Navy but it is not a company history; it records just a few of the Navy’s dropped catches and own goals which give added credibility to this very fine record. The Royal Navy Day by Day is highly regarded in the Royal Navy and it is issued to all HM ships and establishments. First published in 1979, this expanded fifth edition has been thoroughly revised and updated, and contains many fresh images.

The post The Royal Navy Day by Day appeared first on The History Press.

Windrush

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 04:01:22 +0000

Hamburg, 1930: The German-Jewish shipbuilders Blohm & Voss build a transatlantic ocean cruiser that they christen the Monte Rosa.

Norway, 1940: The Monte Rosa is sent to the fjords to assist the dreaded Tirpitz as she bombards British ships.

Auschwitz, 1942: Forty-six Jews wait at the gates, after the Monte Rosa had transported them from Oslo.

Kiel, 1945: The Monte Rosa is captured by the British and given a new name: the Empire Windrush.

London, 1948: The Empire Windrush docks in England, carrying 600 migrants from the Caribbean.

In Windrush: A Ship Through Time Paul Arnott explores the epic story of a vessel that played a part in some of the most momentous events of the twentieth century, and whose fateful 1948 voyage continues to have consequences – both personal and political – today.

Hamburg, 1930. German shipbuilders Blohm & Voss build a transatlantic ocean cruiser and christen her Monte Rosa.

Norway, 1940. The Monte Rosa is sent to assist the dreaded Tirpitz as she bombards British ships.

Auschwitz, 1942. Forty-six Jews wait at the gates, after the Monte Rosa had transported them from Oslo.

Kiel, 1945. The Monte Rosa is captured by the British and given a new name: Empire Windrush.

London, 1948. The Empire Windrush docks in England, carrying 600 migrants from the Caribbean.

In Windrush: A Ship Through Time, Paul Arnott explores the epic story of a vessel that played a part in some of the most momentous events of the twentieth century, and whose fateful 1948 voyage continues to have consequences – both personal and political – today.

The post Windrush appeared first on The History Press.

The Cunard Story

Molly Nattrass — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 04:01:36 +0000

Since 1840, Cunard ships have been transiting the North Atlantic with speed, grace and elegance. These great ships helped to populate nations, served during both world wars and have transported millions of passengers, amongst them celebrities, politicians and royalty. Through tales of ships such as Britannia, Lusitania, Mauretania, Aquitania and the immortal Queens, The Cunard Story gives readers an insight into the heritage of this historic line. Today the Cunard Line operates a fleet of modern ships, offering passengers exciting and varied itineraries to exotic locations across the globe. The Cunard Story is a must-have for all maritime historians and ocean-travellers, especially those with affection for this historic line and its grand vessels.

The post The Cunard Story appeared first on The History Press.

In the Wake of the Empress of Ireland

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 04:02:14 +0000

It started with two old photos for sale at auction: Royal Navy sailors carrying a buoy on a wharf on the St. Lawrence. Historian David Saint-Pierre knew that the only time this happened was when the crew of HMS Essex helped with the salvage operations following the sinking of the Empress of Ireland, on 29 May 1914, the worst peacetime maritime disaster in Canadian history, that saw the deaths of over 1,000 people. This led to the discovery of a whole album containing more than 500 photographs, including many showing how the aftermath of the disaster unfolded, and a complex and stressful process ensued to deliver the album safely to him after he arranged to purchase it in its entirety, having realised it’s great importance. Thanks to these newly discovered photos, showing diving and salvage on the wreck in the summer of 1914, this book is an original contribution on a largely forgotten page of maritime history.

The post In the Wake of the Empress of Ireland appeared first on The History Press.

Lusitania: An Illustrated Biography (Volume Two)

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 04:01:44 +0000

On 7 May 1915, one of the most legendary liners of the North Atlantic met a terrible end via a German submarine, taking 1,200 passengers and crew to an untimely demise. The ship’s memory quickly became mired in a firestorm of international politics, accusations over blame overshadowing both the human tragedy and pre-tragedy triumph of this beautiful ship,filled with technical wonders and firsts. This volume, the second in a two-volume set, tells Lusitania’s story through the Great War, to her violent sinking and the repercussions in her wake. Sumptuously illustrated, this book also showcases the beautiful artwork and recreations from HFX Studios’ forthcoming Lusitania: The Greyhound’s Wake museum experience.

The post Lusitania: An Illustrated Biography (Volume Two) appeared first on The History Press.

The Titanic Files (Vol.1)

Simon Appleby — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 18:59:38 +0000

For many years writer and researcher George Behe has made a habit of filing away little tidbits of information about Titanic-related topics that happened to catch his interest, many of which have long been gathering dust in his extensive archives. This book is the result, a collection of stories, angles of research and pieces of trivia on that reflect George’s thoughts on a wide variety of Titanic-related subjects, along with his detailed research, in the process adding new illumination to a few Titanic topics that many researchers have long thought were chiselled in stone. Some of the questions considered may seem controversial to established accounts, but by presenting his research and conclusions, George enables the reader to see the information upon which he has based his opinions and decide for themselves whether they agree. This detailed volume is a treasure trove of research material to delight any discerning Titanic enthusiast.

The post The Titanic Files (Vol.1) appeared first on The History Press.

Welsh Folk Tales of Coast and Sea

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 04:01:39 +0000

Peter Stevenson tells the folk tales of the sea along the Welsh Coast Path. Meet the lovesick mermaid of Llanina, the water horse of Oxwich Bay, the submerged land of Llys Helig, the utopian world of Rhys’s children in Cardigan Bay, the giant Skomar Oddy who cleaned up Milford Haven, Jemima the Fishguard shoemaker who prevented the Last Invasion of Wales, the Kings of Bardsey Island, Cranogwen the mistress mariner of Ceredigion, the pirate Leekie Porridge of Tenby, the cockle women of Penclawdd, the Swan Girls of Barry Island, the Lady of Ogmore, the Beaver of Conwy, the drunken mermaids of Cardigan Bay, and Siani Chickens who lived in the no one’s land between the high tide and the cliffs on the beach at Cei Bach where she paid rent to no one.

The post Welsh Folk Tales of Coast and Sea appeared first on The History Press.

The Six

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 04:03:09 +0000

When Titanic sank on a cold night in 1912, barely 700 people escaped with their lives. Among them were six Chinese men. Arriving in New York, these six were met with suspicion and slander. Less than 24 hours later, they departed the country, and vanished. When historian Steven Schwankert first stumbled across the fact that eight Chinese nationals were on board, of whom all but two survived, he couldn’t believe that there could still be untold personal histories from the Titanic. This is their story, the result of meticulous research, dogged investigation, and interviews with family members. This epic journey of research crossed continents, working with an international team of investigators, culminating in the 2020 documentary The Six. This detailed book expands on the documentary, detailing many discoveries along the way, and revealing the full story of these six forgotten survivors. Their names were Ah Lam, Chang Chip, Cheong Foo, Fang Lang (or Fong Wing Sun), Lee Bing, and Ling Hee.

The post The Six appeared first on The History Press.