Cross Channel & Short Sea Ferries: An Illustrated History - Hardcover

Ambrose Greenway

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1848321708 ISBN 13: 9781848321700

Publisher: Seaforth Publishing, 2013

Synopsis

This new book, beautifully illustrated with a magnificent collection of over 300 photographs, covers the development of a much-loved type of vessel, the 'classic' cross channel or short sea passenger ferry often described as a liner in miniature. From the mid-19th century paddle ferries slowly evolved into screw-driven steamers but it was the advent of the steam turbine and the construction of the railway steamers The Queen and Brighton in 1903 that caught the attention of the world. Similarly-propelled ships multiplied and their use soon spread to the Antipodes, Japan, the Mediterranean and North America. In 1912 Rudolf Diesel's new oil engine went to sea in a cargo ship but it was not until 1925 that it was first employed to widespread acclaim in the Danish North Sea packet Parkeston. In 1934 it made its debut on the English Channel with the Belgian Government's striking 25-knot motor ferry Prins Baudouin. The inexorable increase in car travel from the 1930s led to the development of a new breed of specialised car ferry accessed through bow and stern doors and the proliferation of these after WW2 led to the eventual demise of the 'classic' passenger ferry in the 1960s. With its informative introductory texts and abundant photographs and detailed captions, this book will appeal to ship enthusiasts around the world and to all those who mourn the passing of the golden age of the passenger ship.

About this title

Product Description

Before the advent of the car ferry, Britain served passengers on the short crossings to the Continent and Ireland with a fleet of small ferries or scaled-down liners. This history, featuring more than 300 photos, describes the success of these vessels, which proliferated on British coastal routes and spread to other parts of the world from the early 19th century, and examines how the designs evolved from paddle steamers to screw-driven craft and finally diesel-powered ships by the early 20th century.

About the Author

AMBROSE GREENWAY has had a lifetime interest in merchant shipping and is involved in many aspects of the maritime scene, ranging from journalism to parliamentary matters. He has written a number of books on cross-channel and North Sea passenger ships and in 2009 wrote Cargo Liners: An Illustrated History in this series.

Edition details

• Publisher: Seaforth Publishing
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1848321708
• ISBN 13: 9781848321700
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 192