Library Results | Royal Museums Greenwich

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)

Black dance in London, 1730-1850 : innovation, tradition and resistance /Rodreguez King-Dorset "The survival of African cultural traditions in the New World has long been a subject of academic study and controversy, particularly traditions of dance, music, and song. Yet the dance culture of blacks in London, where a growing black community carried on the newly creolized dance traditions of their Caribbean ancestors, has been largely neglected. This study begins by examining the importance of dance in African culture and analyzing how African dance took root in the Caribbean, even as slaves learned and adapted European dance forms. It then looks at how these dance traditions were transplanted and transformed once again, this time in mid-eighteenth century London. Finally it analyzes how the London black community used the quadrille and other dances to establish a unified self-identity, to reinforce their group dynamic, and to critique the oppressive white society in which they found themselves."--Provided by publisher 2008 • BOOK • 1 copy available. 793.3 19421

Kent ports and harbours / Anthony Lane. "Kent Ports and Harbours charts the changes that have occurred over the last 400 years to the Kent ports and their associated shipping industries. It covers the development from naval dockyard to commercial port that took place at Chatham and Sheerness, along with the growth of the well-known seaside towns such as Margate and Ramsgate which expanded as the paddle steamers reduced the dangers of sea travel. Starting with the sailing vessels fishing or carrying small cargoes and finishing with the modern ferries, tankers, car carriers and container ships of today, this highly illustrated book emphasises the variety of seafarers, craft and harbour environments that can be found in Kent waters."--Provided by the publisher. 2010. • BOOK • 2 copies available. 627.2(422.3)

Bean's Gallipoli : The diaries of Australia's official war correspondent /Kevin Fewster The edited diaries of Charles Edwin Woodrow Bean, the official press correspondent with the Australian Imperial Force. Bean begain his diary on leaving Melbourne and kept the diary in Egypt and throughout his time at Anzac Cove having landed at Gallipoli on the first morning of the campaign and leaving shortly before the last of the troops were evacuated. The diaries, written each evening, are a key source for understanding the campaign recording Bean's personal observations, interviews with soldiers and visits to the front and describing both daily life and battle. The text is illustrated with some of Bean's own photographs. 2007. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 940.455(496.1)

Ideologies of Western Naval Power, c. 1500-1815 / edited by J.D. Davies, Alan James and Gijs Rommelse. "This ground-breaking book provides the first study of naval ideology, defined as the mass of cultural ideas and shared perspectives that, for early modern states and belief systems, justified the creation and use of naval forces. Sixteen scholars examine a wide range of themes over a wide time period and broad geographical range, embracing Britain, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Sweden, Russia, Venice and the United States, along with the "extra-national" polities of piracy, neutrality, and international Calvinism. This volume provides important and often provocative new insights into both the growth of western naval power and important elements of political, cultural and religious history."-- 2020. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 359/.030940903

Envisioning empire : the new British world from 1763 to 1773 /edited by Robert A. Olwell and James M. Vaughn ''Examining the pivotal period between the end of the Seven Years' War and the dawn of the American Revolution, Envisioning Empire reinterprets the development of the British Empire in the 18th century. With exceptional geographical scope, this book provides new ways of understanding the actors and events in many imperial arenas, including West Africa, North America, the Caribbean, and South Asia. While 1763 has long been seen as marking a turning point in British and British-colonial history, Envisioning Empire treats this epochal year, and the decade that followed, as constituting a discrete 'moment' in Imperial history that is significant in its own right. Exploring the programs and plans that sought to incorporate the vast new territories and millions of new subjects into the British state and imperial system, it demonstrates how the period between the end of the Seven Years' War and the beginning of the American Revolution was one of contested ideas about the future of British overseas expansion. By examining these competing imperial visions and designs from the perspective of Britain's new subjects as well as from that of British ministers, Envisioning Empire both illuminates and complicates the boundaries that have been drawn between the first and second British empires and reveals how the Empire was being conceived, discussed, and debated during an era of rapid transformation.''--Povided by the publisher. 2020 • BOOK • 1 copy available. 941.07/3

Newsletter / Furniture History Society. 1987- • JOURNAL • 1 copy available.

The great scuttle : the end of the German high seas fleet witnessing history /David Meara. "After the German surrender in November 1918, the German High Seas Fleet was interned at Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands, the anchorage for the Royal Navy's Grand Fleet throughout the First World War. Determined not to see his ships fall into the hands of the Allied Powers as the protracted peace negotiations at Versailles dragged on, the German commander, Admiral Von Reuter, decided to scuttle his fleet and secretly passed orders between his ships for their skeleton crews to open the seacocks on 21 June 1919. Most ships began to sink within hours, witnessed by a visiting group of school children suddenly caught up in an event of international importance. More than fifty of the seventy-four German ships that had steamed into Scapa Flow were successfully scuttled and sunk, the remainder having been beached before they could sink. More than thirty of the sunken warships would later be raised but the others remain on the seabed, making Scapa Flow one of the world's top diving destinations. This book follows the events of that momentous day, drawing on the eyewitness accounts of those who saw the crisis unfold at first hand. The book makes extensive use of archive material, personal letters and contemporary photographs to bring alive the extraordinary events of that Midsummer's Day in 1919."--Provided by the publisher. 2019. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 355.353(43)

Argosy of sail : a photographic history of sail /Clifford W. Hawkins. Hawkins, Clifford W. 1980. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 629.123(084)

Landmarks of mapmaking : an illustrated survey of maps and mapmakers Tooley, R V 1976 • OVERSIZE • 2 copies available. 528.9

British blockade runners in the American Civil War / Joseph McKenna. "Focusing on British involvement in the war, this history names the overseas bankers and manufacturers who, in need of cotton and other exports, financed and equipped the ships that ran the blockade. The author attempts to disentangle the names of the captains--many were Royal Navy officers on temporary leave--and tells their stories in their own words"-- [2019] • BOOK • 1 copy available. 973.7/5

Birdie Bowers : Captain Scott's marvel /Anne Strathie. A biography of Henry Robertson 'Birdie' Bowers who was a member of Scott's Terra Nova expedition to the Antarctic. Bowers had previously joined the merchant marine as a cadet, later enlisting in the Royal Indian Marine Service. On the polar expedition, Bowers gained a reputation for his organizational skills and he accompanied Apsley Cherry-Garrard and Edward Wilson on the winter journey to the emperor penguin breeding grounds at Cape Crozier in July 1911. Bowers was assigned to the polar party and died on the return journery from the South Pole in 1912, aged 28. 2012. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 92BOWERS

French armoured cruisers, 1887-1932 / John Jordan & Philippe Caresse. ''Of all the threats faced by the Royal Navy during the first years of the twentieth century, the one which stood out was the risk to Britains sea lines of communication posed by France s armoured cruisers. Fast, well-armed and well-protected, these ships could have evaded any attempted blockade of the French ports and, supported by a worldwide network of overseas bases, could potentially have caused havoc on the trade routes. Between 1898 and 1901 the French laid down thirteen ships, and completed nine in 1903 4 alone. This book has as its subject the French armoured cruisers built from the late 1880s until shortly before the outbreak of the Great War, beginning with the revolutionary Dupuy-de-Lãome, the worlds first modern armoured cruiser, and ending with the impressive six-funnelled Edgar Quinet and Waldeck-Rousseau. The primary focus of the book is on the technical characteristics of the ships. Detailed and labelled drawings based on the official plans are provided by John Jordan, and each individual class of ship is illustrated by photographs from the extensive personal collection of Philippe Caresse. The technical section is followed by a history in two parts, covering the Great War (1914-18) and the postwar years, during which the surviving ships saw extensive deployment as station cruisers overseas and as training ships. This is the most comprehensive account published in English or in French, and is destined be the standard reference for many years to come.''--Provided by the publisher. 2019. • FOLIO • 1 copy available. 623.8253094409041

Russian battleships and cruisers of the Russo-Japanese War / Mark Lardas. "This book examines the major warships of the Imperial Russian Navy which participated in the Russo-Japanese War. The focus is on the battleships, coastal defence warships, and cruisers of the Pacific Squadron and Baltic Squadron that fought during the war. It discusses in detail their design and development between the years of 1885 and 1905, concentrating particularly on battleships and cruisers. The book explores, in depth, the mutually influential relationship between Russian and foreign warship design, as Russia progressed from a reliance on foreign designs and shipyards towards an ability to produce its own influential ships, such as the Novik. The title also outlines the gripping operational history of the Russian warships which participated in the Russo-Japanese war, tracing their activity before and during the combat, as well as the post-war fate of those ships which were bombarded, scuttled, captured, or salvaged. Packed with contemporary photography and full-colour illustrations, this title offers a detailed and definitive guide to the design, development, and destiny of the Russian warships which battled the Japanese in the Eastern seas."--Provided by the publisher. 2019. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 623.821.2(47)"1904/1905"

Francis Frith's down the Severn / [compiled by] Clive Hardy. 2002. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 942.4:77.04(282.242.4)

Scott of the Antarctic : we shall die like gentlemen /Sue Blackhall. A biography of Robert Falcon Scott (1868-1912) concentrating on the 1910 Terra Nova British Antarctic Expedition to reach the south pole and which led to the death of Scott and the polar party. The author uses diary extracts to describe the expedition's progress. At the time Scott became a national hero, but later became a figure of controversy with questions raised about his competence and character. This book's later chapters focus on the aftermath of the event, exploring and reassessing Scott's character, and recounting the fortunes of the survivors of the expedition who had not formed part of the polar party. The book also includes a short anthology of poetry written to celebrate their endeavour. 2012. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 92SCOTT:910.4(99)"1901/1912"

Thomas Summers & Co. : Boatbuilders of Fraserburgh /Mike Smylie. ''After the end of hostilities in 1945, the fishing industry was quick to establish some semblance of recovery and a surge of new builds and restoration of Admiralty motor fishing vessels soon followed. In Fraserburgh, on Scotland's east coast, several established yards satiated this desire amongst the fishing-boat owners for new craft. Thus it wasn't surprising that a new yard sprung up at the end of the 1940s when three local apprentices from one of the yards decided to set up their own boatbuilding yard on the breakwater, in what was a very exposed position. And so the yard of Thomas Summers & Co. was born, a yard that became synonymous with fine seaworthy fishing boats suited to various methods of fishing. In the space of just thirteen years they produced eighty-eight fishing vessels and their output was more prolific than most of the other Scottish boatyards. Many of these boats survive to this day, some still working as fishing vessels, and others converted to pleasure, a testament to their superb design and solid construction.''--Povided by the publisher. 2020. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 338.4/762382/82

Invasion! : D-Day & Operation Overlord in one hundred moments /Scott Addington. ''The invasion of Normandy was the most significant victory of the Allies in the Second World War. By 1944, over 2 million troops from over 12 countries were in Britain in preparation for the invasion. These forces consisted primarily of American, British and Canadian troops but also included Australian, Belgian, Czech, Dutch, French, Greek, New Zealand, Norwegian, Rhodesian and Polish naval, air or ground support. The operation was codenamed "Overlord" which saw the largest invasion fleet ever assembled, before or since, landing 156,000 Allied troops on five beach-heads on D-Day 6 June 1944. These forces established a foothold on the shores of Northern France, and broke out into the French interior to begin a headlong advance. D-Day was originally set for June 5 but had to be postponed for 24 hours because of bad weather. The forecast was so bad that the German commander in Normandy, Erwin Rommel, went home to give his wife a pair of shoes on her birthday. He was in Germany when the news came. British factories increased production and in the first half of 1944 approximately 9 million tonnes of supplies and equipment crossed the Atlantic from North America to Britain. Bagpiper, Bill Millin struck up Hieland Laddie as soon as he jumped into the shallows and then walked up and down the beach playing the pipes. German prisoners later admitted that they had not attempted to shoot him because they thought he had lost his mind. The British infantryman was paid ¹3 15s a month, the Americans got ¹12. A naval bombardment from seven battleships, 18 cruisers, and 43 destroyers began at 5am and went on until 6.25am. On the night of the invasion only around 15% of paratroopers landed in the right place. New gadgets designed for D-Day included a swimming tank and a flame throwing tank called the crocodile . There were even collapsible motorbikes. The morning after D-day the police raided a brothel, which French women had set up in a wrecked landing craft. 1,900 Allied bombers attacked German lines before the invasion began. Seven million pounds of bombs were dropped that day. A total of 10,521 combat aircraft flew a total of 15,000 sorties on D-Day. All this and much more is uncovered in a range of informative and detailed events spanning this most significant event in military history; biographies, fun facts, myth busters and illustrated throughout with infographics and contemporary photographs.''--Provided by the publisher. 2019. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 940.542142

Register of ships. • JOURNAL • 1 copy available.

The Broadland photographers / compiled by C.S. Middleton. 1978. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 77.04(426)

The pirate world : a history of the most notorious sea robbers /Angus Konstam ; illustrated by Nick Buxey. "Often romanticized in print and on the silver screen, real-life pirates were a brutal menace that plagued the high seas. In this book, Angus Konstam separates myth from reality, tracing the history of piracy through the centuries, from the pirates who plagued the Ancient Egyptians to the Viking raids and on to the era of privateers. He discusses the so-called "Golden Age of Piracy" and colorful characters such as Blackbeard and Captain Kidd, before examining the West's initial encounters with Eastern pirates off the Chinese coast and the phenomenon of the modern pirate. Highly illustrated with color images and specially commissioned maps throughout, this is a unique exploration of the pirate world"--Goodreads.com. 2019. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 341.362.1

My life as an explorer / Roald Amundsen. The autobiography of Norwegian explorer, Roald Amundsen (1872-1928). The book covers his early life, the first successful crossing of the Northwest Passage and his expedition to the Antarctic on board the Fram during which his expedition became the first to reach the South Pole. Later chapters mark his transition to polar exploration using aircraft and his observations on the business of exploration and the food and equipment used on the South Pole expedition. 2008. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 92AMUNDSEN

The shipbuilding industry : a guide to historical records /by L. A. Ritchie. 1992. • BOOK • 6 copies available. 930.25

On canvas : preserving the structure of paintings /Stephen Hackney. "An examination of the history, practice, and conservation of painting on canvas"--Provided by publisher. [2020] • BOOK • 1 copy available. 75.025.4

Explore our Collection