Review by Ian Wilkins

The first eighty pages or so of this book are taken up with paintings done by the author of merchant ships of the period. In all there are ninety-six colour plates. In the remainder of the book (total pages 215) the author gives quite extensive technical details and service histories of the ships covered, most entries consuming between one and two pages of very small print. There is also an appendix discussing basic features and layouts of merchant ships of this era.

Ships from all over the world are featured and the plates are really fine works of realist maritime art ,filled with charm, atmosphere and good detail. Each plate features the ships' company flag in the top left corner and some basic information such as name, company and tonnage. The book is physically quite small at ten inches by five and a half, and is printed on good quality paper. I have had mine since 1981 and none of the pages have yellowed.

This is one of my favourite books and is a good source of information about merchant ships and liners in a time when they still had elegance, beauty and character. I picked mine up for three dollars at a book sale and hope others can do the same.