Stockwin's Maritime Miscellany - A Ditty Bag of Wonders from the Golden Age of Sail

Price: £12.99

"Old fashioned" was my first thought when I unwrapped this book; the colours (faded blue and rust), the title ("Miscellany"), the pictures (engravings and line sketches). Then I flicked it open and I was hooked by the assortment of information - sailing ships' toilet arrangements, the number of crew on the Mary Rose, bilboes and barricoes.  Just the thing for a quiz addict. But its much more than a quiz addicts companion.  
 
My favourite chapter "Nautical Facts and Feats" offers mini-biographies from the Golden Age of Sail, but with a difference - Captain Robert Jenkins. Lieutenant John Lapenotiere, Captain Digby of HMS Africa - all worth remembering, as are the characters met in the second chapter "Sea Explorers, Discoverers and Inventors" - Zheng He, John Schank, Robert Fitzroy and best of all Matthew Walker.  I hope that now I've wound you up so that you want this book on your shelf, even before I've introduced Chapter Three, "The Sailors' Wooden World" which, it seems, is far away from that portrayed by Russell Crowe.  Chapter Four, "Briny Beliefs and Superstitions" is spooky tales best left for dark nights on quiet moorings and Chapter Five, "Maritime Misfortunes" may suit when you are back home again.  
 
Additionally, there is a useful list (worldwide) of maritime museums; a table of vital statistics of famous wooden ships (how small they were, not much more than my narrow boat!); and the Glossary (ideal for Scrabble - cathead, yardarm).
 
A dip in and come again book - something for everyone. - SM