Best of
Maritime

1982

U.S. Destroyers: An Illustrated Design History, Revised Edition


Norman Friedman - 1982
    The revised edition includes the two eventful decades of designs since the Spruance and Perry classes. The design evolution of the Arleigh Burke class, which has become the standard U.S. surface combatant, is described in detail for the first time, based on official sources. Friedman also describes the attempts to develop a follow-on class, beginning in the late 1980s and culminating in the current DD(X) program. Abortive attempts to develop new frigates are also detailed.Friedman provides fully detailed and illustrated descriptions of all classes of U.S. destroyers, from their torpedo boat forebears onward. Detailed ship profiles by the renowned naval expert A. D. Baker III are included, along with section views that show internal arrangements. Engineering plant features and complete descriptions of antiaircraft and antisubmarine weapon systems also are given. An entire chapter is devoted to destroyer combat experience in World War II, which had a major influence on ship design and development. As the only history of U.S. destroyers based on internal, formerly classified papers of the U.S. Navy, the book is vital reading for all who have served on board these ships and for all who would like to understand the origins of the present destroyer force and its future.

Battleship Sailor


Theodore C. Mason - 1982
    battleship California depicts the devastation at Pearl Harbor from the hazardous vantage point of the open birdbath atop the mainmast.

The Battlecruiser Hood


John Arthur Roberts - 1982
    Early on in her career she was employed on several international assignments as a representative of the British Empire, culminating in 'showing the flag' on a grand scale in the world cruise of 1923-24. She thus became one of the most recognisable symbols of the Royal Navy; her destruction by Bismarck in 1941 was received with shocked disbelief throughout the country.

Oceanography and Seamanship


William G. Van Dorn - 1982
    Beginning with the ocean's origin, the author describes its geography, circulation, climate, and meteorology. From waves and breakers he takes us through ship dynamics to strategies for heavy weather seamanship and emergency procedures. The author, William G. Van Dorn, confesses to having a "lifelong love affair with the sea, whether swimming, surfing, diving, sailing, or--for the past forty years--just studying its many moods and facets." Readers of this book will find that his "studying" has yielded an exceedingly rich trove of knowledge about the dynamics of the sea and ways in which men and women who go to sea can handle its various conditions. According to Edmond L. Mandin, retired marine superintendent for American President Lines, Oceanography and Seamanship has a place in the master's research library of every APL containership. "It is considered to be the primer for APL deck officers in the strategies of heavy weather seamanship." This book is an outstanding resource for both the recreational sailor and those in the shipping business who would like to learn more about the behavior of the ocean and the response of the craft that ply it. Originally slanted toward cruising yachtsmen, the book has gained a solid reputation among commercial fishermen, charter boat operators, and shipping companies. It is a reference at maritime academies and is used as a textbook in colleges and secondary schools.

Guide to the Collision Avoidance Rules


A.N. Cockcroft - 1982
    Published continuously since 1965, this respected and expert guide is the classic text for all who need to, practically and legally, understand and comply with the Rules. This sixth edition incorporates all of the amendments to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea which came into force in November 2003.Reviews of previous edition'Written by experts in the subject, this book provides a concise text for all concerned with the practical and legal aspects of interpretation of, and compliance with, the Rules.... The text sets out all the Rules with clear explanations of their meaning and gives excerpts from Court judgments to illustrate how they have been interpreted in practice'MARTITIME JOURNAL'The full text of each rule is followed by a thorough discussion of its meaning, interpretation and implications.'MER'... should be compulsory reading even for those who already have qualified... the use of coloured diagrams is particularly valuable."THE MOTOR SHIP'Essential reading for anyone who goes to sea for business or pleasure or war.'FISHING BOAT WORLDAlso available fromButterworth-HeinemannThe Command Companion of Seamanship Techniques, D House, 0 7506 4443 5Seamanship Techniques, 2e, D House, 0 7506 5231 4