Author Results for Michael Leek
Book Review-‘Destroyer ‘Cossack’: Detailed in the original builders’ plans by J. Roberts’
Since reviewing the first book in this excellent series (Mariner’s Mirror 105:1, 2019) the collection has grown to eight volumes, including one on the German battleship Helgoland (1908– 22). Comments and observations regarding the preparation and production of ‘as fitted’ drawings made in the review cited, particularly for warships built for the Royal Navy (RN), […] Read More
Filed under: Popular Topics
Subjects include: Shipbuilding & Design
Book Review-‘Johannes Holst: Seascape artist’ by W. König
The German first edition of this book, published in 2011, was reviewed in The Mariner’s Mirror, 98:3 (2012), p. 381). This is an updated review following the publication of a new and revised edition, this time in English. This update will concentrate on additions to the English edition. Where commonality exists between the English and […] Read More
Filed under: Nineteenth Century | Twentieth Century
Subjects include: Art & Music
Note: HRH The Duke of Edinburgh’s Interest in Maritime History and Ship Preservation
During my time lecturing at what was then Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design (currently The Arts University Bournemouth), I was responsible, in 1976, for the research, design and development of a student-centred illustrated project on the SS Great Britain, 1845. The success of this project, supported by Richard Goold-Adams OBE, chairman of […] Read More
Filed under: Other (Twentieth C)
Subjects include: Historic Vessels, Museums & Restoration
Book Review-‘Battleship ‘Warspite’: Detailed in the original builders’ plans’ by R. Brown
The vast collection of ships draughts and other plans held by the National Maritime Museum (NMM) was first introduced to this reviewer by the late David Lyon in the 1960s. This was in the days when the excellent reading room of the Caird Library and draughtroom were open on Saturdays. During my early visits, David […] Read More
Filed under: Popular Topics
Subjects include: Historic Vessels, Museums & Restoration
Book Review-‘Brunels’s Ships and Boats’ by H. Doe
Having worked with both the late Dr Ewan Corlett and Richard Goold-Adams on the SS Great Britain during her restoration, including a paper for this journal on the ship’s original rig, this reviewer awaits with keen anticipation any new study that highlights the achievements of one of Britain’s finest civil engineers. However, this brief illustrated […] Read More
Filed under: Popular Topics
Subjects include: Historic Vessels, Museums & Restoration
Book Review-‘Ye Mary Fortune: A ship of Henry VII 1490 AD at Pembroke Castle’ by D. James
Advances in warship design over the last century are displayed on the covers of this excellent book. On the front, a photograph taken in 1913 shows the launch of the battleship Queen Elizabeth at the Dockyard, while on the back there is a superb view of her modern namesake, the new aircraft carrier on her […] Read More
Filed under: Tudors
Subjects include: Historic Vessels, Museums & Restoration
Book Review-‘The Life and Ship Models of Norman Ough’ by A. Roach
In contrast to marine artists, ship model builders, be they amateur or professional, are rarely acknowledged for the undoubted skills many possess. Considering the number from various countries who have made a name for themselves – albeit a name acknowledged primarily by those who practice or study the craft – and whose work resides in […] Read More
Filed under: Popular Topics
Subjects include: Biography | Ship Models & Figureheads
Book Review-‘Crail and its Fisheries: 1550–1600’ by T. Riis
The study of Scottish fisheries is frequented by publications that often tend to be ‘populist’ in nature. This is not a criticism, as without such works we would be so much the poorer in our knowledge of an important part of Scottish and, indeed, British maritime history. However, in the wider public domain there are […] Read More
Filed under: Tudors
Subjects include: Whaling & Fishing
Book Review-‘The Sloop of War, 1650–1763’ by Ian McLaughlin
Research into the technical development of sailing ships of war has seen a significant increase in recent decades, led by the excellent in-depth monographs from the likes of Jean Boudriot in France (although nothing comparable to these has been published on British or American vessels, even though the expertise exists). However, prior to the significant […] Read More
Filed under: Other (Early Modern) | Other (Eighteenth C)
Subjects include: Shipbuilding & Design
Book Review-‘Warships of the Great War Era: A history in ship models’ by David Hobbs/The Ship of the Line: A history in ship models’ by Brian Lavery
When this series started with The Sailing Frigate, published in 2012, it was expected to form as comprehensive a record as possible of the extensive and unrivalled collection of ship models held by the National Maritime Museum (NMM), most of which have never been on public display and, because of current and possibly questionable museum […] Read More
Filed under: Popular Topics
Subjects include: Ship Models & Figureheads
Book Review-‘Clipper Ships and the Golden Age of Sail: Races and rivalries on the nineteenth century high seas’ by S. Jefferson
There is nothing wrong with so-called ‘popular history’. Indeed there is a number of historians who have demonstrated that it is possible to write for a wider, non-specialized readership without compromising their academic credentials. A. J. P. Taylor and Robert K. Massie come readily to mind. Within maritime history, and the history of twentieth century […] Read More
Filed under: Other (Nineteenth C)
Subjects include: Merchant Marines
Book Reviw-‘Glasgow Museums: The ship models, a history and complete illustrated catalogue’ by E. Malcolm and M. R. Harrison
It was the internationally renowned ship model maker, the late Donald McNarry, who wrote, in 1975, ‘Ship models are useless things and their only virtue lies in the accuracy and realism with which they depict the prototype in such a way as to give lasting pleasure to the beholder.’ Having corresponded with McNarry, and being […] Read More
Filed under: Popular Topics
Subjects include: Ship Models & Figureheads
Book Review-‘Painting War: George Plante’s combat art in World War II ‘by K. Broome Williams
The concept of ‘official’ war artists making visual records and interpretations of naval and military battles can be said to have started with Van de Velde the Elder, along with one or two of his English contemporaries. Van de Velde was initially the official artist of the Dutch navy and was, for example, present during […] Read More
Filed under: Popular Topics
Subjects include: Art & Music
Book Review – ‘Mit Kurs auf Charleston, S.C.: Kapitän Heinrich Wieting und die deutsche Auswanderung nach South Carolina im 19. Jahrhundert’ by Andrea Mehrländer
There is an apparent tendency or trend for some national museums to focus less on their role as centres for the understanding of history, culture and knowledge, but increasingly on catering for generations with limited attention spans. This is often reflected in what is sold through museum shops, with the lowest common denominator prevailing; an […] Read More
Filed under: Atlantic | Nineteenth Century
Subjects include: Ocean Liners & Passenger Craft
Book Review – ‘The 1607 Popham Colony’s Pinnace Virginia: An in-context design of Maine’s first ship’ by John W. Bradford
At first glance this book promised much. However, it is a disappointment. The first question, which remains unanswered, is what is meant by ‘in-context design’? The level of technical detail, especially relating to wooden ship construction and lofting tables, etc., suggests the book is not intended for a general readership of maritime history, yet regardless […] Read More
Filed under: Early Modern
Subjects include: Shipbuilding & Design
A Reappraisal of the Life and Work of Basil Lubbock
Basil Lubbock was a pioneering author and maritime historian who laid the foundations for the study of merchant sailing ships. His knowledge was based on practical experience as a seafarer under sail, extensive archival research and discussions with seamen and sailing ship managers. This article reassesses his life as an adventurer, seaman, soldier, yachtsman and […] Read More
Filed under: Other (Twentieth C) | Other (Nineteenth C) | Other (location)
Subjects include: Biography | Ship Handling & Seamanship