Ships, Clocks, and Stars

Ships, Clocks, and Stars
Author: Richard Dunn
Publisher: Harper Collins
Total Pages: 601
Release: 2014-11-04
Genre: History
ISBN: 0062357174

A tale of eighteenth-century invention and competition, commerce and conflict, this is a lively, illustrated, and accurate chronicle of the search to solve “the longitude problem,” the question of how to determine a ship’s position at sea—and one that changed the history of mankind. Ships, Clocks, and Stars brings into focus one of our greatest scientific stories: the search to accurately measure a ship’s position at sea. The incredible, illustrated volume reveals why longitude mattered to seafaring nations, illuminates the various solutions that were proposed and tested, and explores the invention that revolutionized human history and the man behind it, John Harrison. Here, too, are the voyages of Captain Cook that put these revolutionary navigational methods to the test. Filled with astronomers, inventors, politicians, seamen, and satirists, Ships, Clocks, and Stars explores the scientific, political, and commercial battles of the age, as well as the sailors, ships, and voyages that made it legend—from Matthew Flinders and George Vancouver to the voyages of the Bounty and the Beagle. Featuring more than 150 photographs specially commissioned from Britain’s National Maritime Museum, this evocative, detailed, and thoroughly fascinating history brings this age of exploration and enlightenment vividly to life.

Ships to the Stars

Ships to the Stars
Author: Fritz Leiber
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 160
Release: 2009-06-01
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1434404897

This volume assembled six of Leiber's classic works: "Dr. Kometevsky's Day," "The Big Trek," "The Enchanted Forest," "Deadly Moon," "The Snowbank Orbit," and "The Ship Sails at Midnight."

Mega Book of Fighting Ships

Mega Book of Fighting Ships
Author: Lynne Gibbs
Publisher: Pavilion Children's Books
Total Pages: 32
Release: 2005
Genre: Warships
ISBN: 9781844583980

Provides a general overview of the subject as well as highlighting the most intriguing and amazing examples of fighting ships. Explores the history, highlights the biggest and the best and discusses future trends. 7-10 yrs.

Ships and Seafaring in Ancient Times

Ships and Seafaring in Ancient Times
Author: Lionel Casson
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Total Pages: 180
Release: 1994
Genre: History
ISBN:

Ever since the earliest travelers took to the water on reed rafts or inflated goatskins, ships and boats have played a paramount role in the history of the Western world. The invention of the sail about 3500 BC resulted in ever faster and more efficient water transport, and the great civilizations of Egypt, Greece, and Rome depended on ships and seafarers for their prosperity. This entertaining book by the world's foremost authority on ancient seamanship traces the development of the boat from the most primitive craft to the powerful warships of the Greeks, the huge Roman merchant vessels, and the slender galleys of the Vikings. Professor Casson shows how the discoveries of marine archaeologists and recent experiments with full-size replicas of ancient boats have increased our knowledge of the way in which ships were built and used. Drawing upon written accounts and contemporary artistic depictions of naval battles, trading expeditions, and other voyages, he brings the world of seafaring in ancient times vividly to life.

Finding Longitude

Finding Longitude
Author: Richard Dunn
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2014
Genre: Longitude
ISBN: 9780007525867

Official publication of the National Maritime Museum's exhibition "Ships, Clocks and Stars: The Quest for Longitude". 300 years ago, amidst growing frustration from the naval community and pressure from the increasing importance of international trade, the British government passed the 1714 Longitude Act. It was an attempt to solve one of the most pressing problems of the age: how to determine a ship's longitude (east-west position) at sea. With life-changing rewards on offer, the challenge captured the imaginations and talents of astronomers, skilled craftsmen, politicians, seamen and satirists. This beautifully illustrated book is a detailed account of these stories, and how the longitude problem was solved. Highlights of the book include: * Foreword by the fifteenth Astronomer Royal, Martin Rees. * Specially commissioned photographs of the National Maritime Museum's collection. * A new description of the collaborations and conflicts in a tale of technical creativity, scientific innovation and hard commercialism. From the same publisher as Dava Sobel's Longitude, Finding Longitude tells a new story of one of the great achievements of the Georgian age, and how it changed our understanding of the world.

Star Wars: Ships of the Galaxy

Star Wars: Ships of the Galaxy
Author: Benjamin Harper
Publisher: Studio Fun International
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2015-09-04
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 9780794434779

Discover the essential details of the best-loved ships from the Star Wars universe in this ultra-cool book that features a giant foldout with new ships from Star Wars: The Force Awakens! From the Jedi starfighters to the one and only Millennium Falcon and more, learn all about the best and fastest ships in the Star Wars galaxy. Each page of this clever book uncovers amazing info and little-known facts about your favorite Star Wars ships. Open up the pages of the foldout to reveal even more Star Wars spacecraft!

Dazzle Ships

Dazzle Ships
Author: Chris Barton
Publisher: Millbrook Press ™
Total Pages: 44
Release: 2017-09-01
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 1512472174

A visually stunning look at innovative and eye-popping measures used to protect ships during World War I. During World War I, British and American ships were painted with bold colors and crazy patterns from bow to stern. Why would anyone put such eye-catching designs on ships? Desperate to protect ships from German torpedo attacks, British lieutenant-commander Norman Wilkinson proposed what became known as dazzle. These stunning patterns and colors were meant to confuse the enemy about a ship's speed and direction. By the end of the war, more than four thousand ships had been painted with these mesmerizing designs. Author Chris Barton and illustrator Victo Ngai vividly bring to life this little-known story of how the unlikely and the improbable became just plain dazzling. "[A] conversational, compelling, and visually arresting story . . ."—starred, Publishers Weekly "Barton's lively text is matched by Ngai's engrossing artwork, which employs dazzle techniques throughout her inventive spreads."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books New York Public Library Best Books for Kids Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year

How to Avoid Huge Ships

How to Avoid Huge Ships
Author: John W. Trimmer
Publisher: Cornell Maritime Press/Tidewater Publishers
Total Pages: 124
Release: 1993
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN:

You are the owner-captain of a luxury fifty-foot trawler motoring across the bay with your family and a few friends one balmy summer evening. Off in the distance, beyond the bridge spanning the waterway, you can make out the lights and shape of a containership moving down the channel. Have you ever wondered what action you must take to keep clear of that fast-approaching ship? This book will tell you how to do so quickly. Conscientious skippers are wise to read this book and discover if a ship's radar will pick up a small boat at night. It is fascinating to learn what is taking place on the bridge or down in the engine room of one of these leviathans as it heads your way. Can it be stopped before it hits you? Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones by reading this book written for the private boat owner/captain.