Library Results | Royal Museums Greenwich

Isles of Scilly in the Great War / Richard Larn OBE "The Isles of Scilly, five inhabited islands 24 miles west of Lands End, were of low priority to the War Department when the First World War was declared. With no manufacturing capability, no industry other than flower growing and agriculture, no electricity or gas, no mains water supply, no wireless station, and a population of only 2,000, the islands did have one feature in their favour their location. Sitting at the cross roads of six major shipping routes, Scilly had been a recognised ship-park since 1300AD, where sailing ships anchored to safetly awaiting a suitable wind, to re-victual, pick up water or effect repairs. The Admiralty sought to make it a harbour for the Channel Fleet in the mid-1800s, and in 1903 spent 25,000 defending the islands with 6-inch gun batteries, only to take them away seven years later. When, in 1915, German U-boats moved from the North Sea into the Western Approaches, sinking large numbers of merchant vessels, Scilly was chosen to become a Royal Navy Auxiliary Patrol Station, and over time was sent 20 armed trawlers and drifters as escorts, mine-sweepers, mine-layers or anti-submarine vessels, along with 500 Royal Navy personnel. In 1917 Tresco Island became a Royal Naval Air Station, with 14 flying boats and over 1,000 personnel. The islands were suddenly at the forefront of the submarine war. This book details Scilly's contribution to the war effort, with attention to its civilian population, the heartbreak of losing forty-five of its sons, and the trauma of countless seamen rescued from torpedoed ships."--Provided by the publisher. 2017. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 914.237"1914/1918"

Masters under God : makers of empire: 1816-1884 ;Richard Woodman. General history of British merchant shipping, covering subjects such as emigration to Australia and to various newly discovered gold fields, the opening of China, the Opium Wars and the birth of cruise companies. Also examines technological developments such as the construction of the Suez canal, the laying of submarine telegraph cables and the birth of steam. 2009. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 656.61(42)

Report of the Committee on Naval Boilers : vol 2: report on trials of HMS Medusa and HMS Medea Great Britain. Parliament 1904 • FOLIO • 1 copy available. 621.18

General signals for the use of Her Majesty's fleet Great Britain.-Admiralty 1878 • FOLIO • 2 copies available. 627.72(42)"1878"

Transactions of the Naval Dockyards Society. [ed. Ray Riley]. 2007. • FOLIO • 1 copy available. 623.81(946.82)

Atlantic roulette : a merchantman at war, June 1940 : running the gauntlet of U-boat alley, E-boat alley and the Luftwaffe The author was a radio officer in the merchant navy throughout the Second World War. He joined the SS Venetia in 1940 for her voyage from London to Scotland, across the Atlantic to Aruba then back to London via Bermuda. This is his personal account of the voyage, during which the Venetia's convoys were attacked by aircraft, torpedoed and attacked by U-boats. The book gives details of the dangers and hardships endured by merchant seamen during the Battle of the Atlantic. 1996 • BOOK • 1 copy available. 656.61:940.545

The world of sea power guide / David Wragg. "In one volume the reader will find the composition and details of all naval elements of the armed forces of 137 nations, including paramilitary organizations such as the US Coast Guard Service. The book starts with an introduction based on the situation today and the response of the leading maritime powers. This is an interesting period, and one of with considerable uncertainty for the Royal Navy following the Strategic Defence Review."--Provided by the publisher. 2012. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 355.49(100)

Carrier operations in World War II / JD Brown ; edited by David Hobbs. Brown, David, 2009. • FOLIO • 1 copy available. 623.822.7"1939/1945"

Admiral of the Fleet Sir Geoffrey Phipps Hornby, GCB : a biography Egerton, Mary Augusta 1896 • BOOK • 2 copies available. 354.71(42)"18"

1784 : the Battle of Mudeford This book recounts the Battle of Mudeford, a 1784 skirmish fought near Christchurch Harbour between smugglers and Customs and Excise Officers. The encounter resulted in the death of customs officer William Allen on the Royal Navy sloop HMS Orestes, with Bone Tucker, Guernsey Jemmy, and George Coombes being arrested for murder. George Coombes was later executed for the crime. It details how smuggling in the eighteenth century was considered a 'victimless crime' by many, with smuggler John Streeter avoiding arrest and returning to reputable business after the event. Four appendices feature a commander's log for the Orestes and reports and letters surrounding the battle and its aftermath. Illustrations include a line drawing of Orestes and photographs of St Mary's Churchyard, where William Allen was buried. 1993 • BOOK • 1 copy available. 337

After darkness light : the memoirs of a boy seaman "After Darkness Light - the motto of the Royal Navy Cruiser HMS Aurora - is a book about the author's years of service, starting as a Boy Seaman at the age of 16 and eventually retiring as a Lieutenant R.N. in 1977 after an eventful career. The book details the tours of operations in which the author served - from the Arctic Circle to Operation Torch - from the Mediterranean to the Pacific and China. After a brief spell at home, Harry was sent to Korea, and on his return to the UK he became involved with the recruitment of young men (no longer called 'Boys' but 'Juniors') for training at HMS Ganges, many of whom went on to become successful in their careers."--Provided by the publisher. 1991 • BOOK • 1 copy available. 92Jones, H

Unsere Marine im Welkrieg 1914-1918 Mantey, Eberhard 1928 • FOLIO • 1 copy available. 940.45(43)

Catalogue of the exhibition With lead and line Maritiem Museum "Prins Hendrik" 1974 • BOOK • 2 copies available. 527.09

Ship steward's handbook / by J.J. Trayner and E.C. Plumb. "This charming little handbook was first published in the 1950s as an aid for stewards in the Merchant Navy. With an emphasis on pride in one's work, and a thoroughness and dedication to the highest level of service, it sets out precise instructions on a steward's duties from table etiquette to cabin service."--Back cover. 2007. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 641

UK Silver Jubilee Cruise : 13 June - 21 July 1977. a. 1977]. • PAMPHLET • 1 copy available. 623.82(73)"1977"

Fiddler's Green : the great squandering, 1921-2010 /Richard Woodman. The last volume of the series, covering the period from the post-World War 1 depression to the struggle to maintain supplies during World War 2, and the subsequent decline of British merchant shipping. 2010. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 656.61(42)

Captains from Devon : the great Elizabethan seafarers who won the oceans for England /Helen Hill Miller Miller, Helen Hill 1985 • BOOK • 1 copy available. 910.4"15"

Bismarck and Hood : the battle of the Denmark Strait :a technical analysis for a new perspective /Marco Santarini "The legendary Battle of the Denmark Strait, which saw the mighty German battleship Bismarck sink Britain's HMS Hood in an epic duel of the titans, has been dogged by controversy to this day. Was the doomed HMS Hood really sunk by a shell that penetrated her decks to explode in one of her magazine compartments? Others believe that Bismarck's fortunate shell detonated in Hood's cordite supply - the powder that propelled 1,920-lbs some staggering 30,180 yards - suggesting that damage examined on the wreck indicates a more distinct explosion. Or was the Hood's destructive and violent demise a new, and until now, unexplained act of war? The sinking of HMS Hood on Empire Day, 24 May 1941, resulted in the single largest loss of life for the Royal Navy during the Second World War: 1,415 lives were lost. There were absolutely no traces of any crewmen save three survivors. 'Bismarck and Hood: The Battle of the Denmark Strait - A Technical Analysis' is an innovative and potentially controversial study of this infamous battle. The author, a rear admiral in the Italian Navy, is an expert in gunnery and his book, a work of over two decades of study, further investigates this battle in an attempt to attain a more credible explanation. The events and tactics leading up to the battle are explained within their various contexts and a cinematic and ballistic model of the battle was developed, essential for a statistical analysis of Hood's sinking. Certainly, no one will ever be able to confirm what exactly happened in the Denmark Strait on that fateful day, but this rigorous book disposes of myths and falsehoods and paves the way for a more realistic interpretation of this iconic battle between HMS Hood and Bismarck."--Provided by the publisher. 2013 • BOOK • 1 copy available. 355.49"1941"(42:43)

America's U-boats : terror trophies of World War I /Chris Dubbs. The submarine was one of the most revolutionary weapons of World War I, inciting both terror and fascination for militaries and civilians alike. During the war, after U-boats sank the Lusitania and began daring attacks on shipping vessles off the East Coast, the American press dubbed these weapons "Hun Devil Boats," "Sea Thugs," and "Baby Killers." But at the conflict's conclusion, the U.S. Navy acquired six U-boats to study and to serve as war souvenirs. Until their destruction under armistice terms in 1921, these six U-boats served as U.S. Navy ships, manned by American crews. The ships visited eighty American cities to promote the sale of victory bonds and to recruit sailors, allowing hundreds of thouands of Americans to see up close the weapon that had so captured the public's imagination. In America's U-Boasts, Chris Dubbs examines the legacy of submarine warfare in the American imagination. Combining nautical adventure, military history, and underwater archaeology, Dubbs shares the previously untold story of German submarines and their impact on American culture and reveals their legacy and Americans' attitudes toward this new wonder weapon. -- Front jacket flap. [2014]. • BOOK • 2 copies available. 623.827(73)"1914/1918"

Captain Cook and the Pacific : art, exploration & empire /John McAleer and Nigel Rigby. "British Royal Navy Captain James Cook's voyages of exploration across and around the Pacific Ocean were a marvel of maritime achievement, and provided the first accurate map of the Pacific. The expeditions answered key scientific, economic, and geographic questions, and inspired some of the most influential images of the Pacific made by Europeans. Now readers can immerse themselves in the adventure through the collections of London's National Maritime Museum, which illuminate every aspect of the voyages: oil paintings of lush landscapes, scientific and navigational instruments, ship plans, globes, charts and maps, rare books and manuscripts, coins and medals, ethnographic material, and personal effects. Each artifact holds a story that sheds light on Captain Cook, the crews he commanded, and the effort's impact on world history. Showcasing one of the richest resources of Cook-related material in the world, this publication invites readers to engage with the extraordinary voyages-manifested in material culture-and their continuing significance today."--Provided by the publisher. 2017. • BOOK • 2 copies available. 910.4(93/96)"1768/1780"

The last British battleship / R.A. Burt. "The ninth HMS Vanguard, bearing one of the most illustrious names in the Royal Navy with honours from the Armada to Jutland, was the last and largest of Britain's battleships and was commissioned in 1946. Her design evolved from of the King George V class and incorporated much of the fully developed design for the two battleships, Lion and Temeraire, that were laid down in 1939 but never completed. At 813ft length overall and 42,300 tons, she was the last battleship to be built in the world and the only ship of her class. She was built during the Second World War and incorporated existing twin 15in mountings, and was part of the Royal Navy's response to the combined and increasing number of German and Japanese battleships in the early 1940s. She was immediately recognisable by her transom stern and high flared bow and had fine sea keeping ability. Her appearance after the end of hostilities, however, and her huge crew requirements proved a conundrum for the Royal Navy, her most significant role being that of Royal Yacht during the royal family's tour of South Africa in 1947. She was broken up at Faslane in 1960. In this new book by R A Burt her design, construction and career are all covered. Armour, machinery, power plants and weaponry are examined in detail and the author has produced some 35 superb plans, profiles and other line drawings for which he is renowned. The text is further enhanced by the addition of some 80 colour and black and white photographs from his collection. His earlier three volumes are regarded as definitive works on the subject of British battleships before 1945; with this new book he finally completes the story of the Dreadnought era, bringing to life the last of a magnificent type of vessel of which the world will not see again."--Provided by the publisher. 2019. • FOLIO • 1 copy available. 623.82VANGUARD

Heroes of Coastal Command : 1939-1945 /Andrew D. Bird. "In Heroes of Coastal Command, Andrew Bird examines the maritime war between 1939 and 1945, interweaving accounts of events of the period with personal stories of individuals caught up in them. Through interviews, letters, diaries and reports, all combined with his own research, the author looks afresh at the maritime conflict, reassessing long-held views of the Cinderella Service's defensive and offensive capabilities through the eyes of ordinary individuals battling for survival above the oceans against flak gun, enemy aircraft and weather as the stakes rose higher and the number of casualties become catastrophic. Heroes of Coastal Command makes the reader think again about the RAF's maritime arm, Coastal Command, which was established in 1936. Throughout the war, its crews worked tirelessly alongside the Royal Navy to keep Britain's vital sea lanes open. Together, they fought and won the Battle of the Atlantic, with RAF aircraft destroying 212 German U-Boats and sinking a significant tonnage of enemy warships and merchant vessels. Often working alone and unsupported, undertaking long patrols out over opens seas, Coastal Command bred a special kind of airman. This includes individuals such Lloyd Trigg, who was awarded the Victoria Cross; Roger Moorwood, a Blenheim pilot who flew in the Battle of France; Jack Davenport, who flew his Hampden; John Watson, the sole survivor of a Short Sunderland which was lost during a rescue mission; Maurice Guedj, a Frenchman who escaped from Morocco to join the Free French Air Force; Sam McHardy, who for a short while became a Coastal Command ground coordinator posted aboard a Royal Navy destroyer for a raid on Norway; and Ken Gatward, who flew a unique daylight mission over Paris to drop a Tricolore on the Arc de Triomphe. These are just some of the fabulous stories, full of daring and breath-taking courage, and individuals explored in this book."--Provided by the publisher. 2018. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 940.544.9(42)

The proceedings at large of the court-martial on the trial of the Honourable Augustus Keppel, Admiral of the Blue, held on board HMS Britannia, on Thursday 7th January 1779 Great Britain. Royal Navy. Court-martial, Keppel : 1779 1779 • RARE-BOOK • 3 copies available. 92Keppel

The capture of U-505 : the US Navy's controversial Enigma raid, Atlantic Ocean 1944 /Mark Lardas ; illustrated by Irene Cano Rodrâiguez. "U-505 was the first enemy warship the US Navy captured at sea since 1812. This is a new account of how Captain Gallery planned and executed the raid on his own initiative, and how his success almost endangered the war against the U-boats. On June 4, 1944 a US Navy antisubmarine task group in the Atlantic captured an enemy U-boat on the high seas. It was not the first time the Allies had taken a German U-boat as a prize, but the capture of U-505 was different. Captain Gallery and his Task Group 22.3 devised a risky plan to capture scuttled U-boats. his book analyses in detail Gallery's dangerous strategy, using contemporary sources to explore why he thought the reward was worth the risk- instead of attempting to sink the next U-boat that surfaced among them, a destroyer escort would send off its whaleboat. Everyone else was to smother the U-boat with light gunfire to encourage its crew to abandon quickly. Unaware that the Allies had already cracked the German's codes and the capture of a U-boat could endanger that secret, Gallery hoped to capture the vessel's codes and coding equipment to read U-boat message traffic. The plan culminated in the capture of U-505 in early June, which nearly caused the exposure of the Bletchley Park codebreaking secret. Featuring contemporary photographs, specially commissioned artwork and 3D maps, this book is a fascinating exploration of one of the most controversial and dangerous raids, which could have changed the outcome of World War II as we know it"--Publisher's description. 2022. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 940.54293

Explore our Collection