The rhythmic lullaby of ‘North Utsire, South Utsire’ has been lulling the nation’s insomniacs to sleep for over 90 years. It has inspired songs, poetry and imaginations across the globe – as well as providing a very real service for the nation’s seafarers who might fall prey to storms and gales. It has inspired everyone from Seamus Heaney to Radiohead, and from Radio 4 announcers to the writers of Keeping Up Appearances. In 1995, a plan to move the late-night broadcast by just 12 minutes c...

Confined in a small space for months on end, subject to ship's discipline and living on limited food supplies, many sailors of old lost their minds – and no wonder. Many still do.The result in some instances was bloodthirsty mutinies, such as the whaleboat Sharon whose captain was butchered and fed to the ship's pigs in a crazed attack in the Pacific. Or mob violence, such as the 147 survivors on the raft of the Medusa, who slaughtered each other in a two-week org...

The definitive bible of every knot seafarers need to know, packed with step-by-step diagrams and photography.Featuring all the knots, hitches, bends, splices, whipping and decorative knotwork that you would find on a boat, this comprehensive guide will help sailors, climbers, anglers and all those who regularly use knotwork master essential skills.Over 200 knots are scored for strength, reliability, ease of tying (and untying) and usefulness. Step by step p...

This beautifully produced compendium gives you a knot challenge for every day of the year. With hundreds to choose from, all colour coded by use, you can work through the book from start to finish, gradually building on your knowledge as you go, or alternatively dipping in and out for your daily knotting fix.Covers:- all the essential knots- useful hitches, bends, whippings and splices- handy knots for making outdoor items: plant hangers, harnesses, tree swings...

An encyclopedic compendium of every element of a yacht, this book contains a wealth of information for the aficionado as well as the newcomer, taking apart the sailboat to explore every part of it in depth. Gloriously illustrated with beautiful photography and explanatory diagrams, each page is packed with fascinating and satisfying detail.Looking first at the history of yachting and boatbuilding techniques, the book arms the reader with the knowledge to understand the lineage and ...

Former Classic Boat editor Nic Compton has spent over 20 years sailing and photographing classic yachts, and this is the culmination of his decades-long passion - a stunning collection showcasing the 20 most beautiful and fascinating classic boats still sailing today.They include:Bona Fide - the original fin-keeler that was 70 years ahead of her timeInward Bound - a 35ft cutter built in Argentina using salvaged timber from the General ...

Its an urban jungle out there, and if its not the survival of the fittest, its certainly the survival of the most practical. But hows a boy or girl supposed to learn lifes essential practicalities in these days of hustle, bustle, and laid-back parenting? How to Avoid Being Struck By Lightning is the solution. Its a mentor, a tutor, a driving instructor, a mom, a dad, a grandparent, a scout instructor, and a coach rolled into one. Dividing life into four sections, and then subdividing its c...

Why will a sailor never go to sea on Friday 13th?Why are boats always referred to as 'she'?How do you navigate the ocean without a compass?Does the Bermuda Triangle really exist?Why do sailors wear earrings?Did Blackbeard actually exist?Did Nelson really say 'Kiss me, Hardy'?What's the correct way to bury a body at sea?Why is a rope never called a rope?This fascinating collection of maritime folklore and trivia delves into the...

Bloomsbury presents Titanic on Trial by Nic Compton, read by Peter Altschuler.Capturing the disbelief, the chaos and the terror of the fateful night the Titanic sank 100 years ago, Titanic on Trial brings to life the tragedy through the voices of those who survived it. Stories about the sinking have becomelegendary – how the band played to the end, how lifeboats were lowered half-empty – but amongst the films, novels and academic arguments, only those who were there can sepa...

From the acknowledged master of the “instant boat”—tips, techniques, and designs for quick-and-easy plywood boatbuildingDynamite Payson offers you a new guide to building 15 exciting boats from master designer Phil Bolger. Instant Boatbuilding with Dynamite Payson includes plans and instructions for a multipurpose skiff for sail, oar, and power; a pirogue for single or double paddle; a big pram dinghy; a maneuverable peapod; a long, fast, rowing dory; a ru...

Works included in this collection:Knots, Bends, Splices With tables of strengths of ropes, etc. and wire rigging by J. Netherclift JutsumKnots, Splices and Rope Work : Illustrated with 156 Original Cuts Showing How Each Knot, Tie or Splice is Formed and Its Appearance When Complete. by A. Hyatt VerrillGiving Complete and Simple Directions for Making All the Most Useful and Ornamental Knots in Common Use, with Chapters on Splicing, Pointing, Seizing, Serving, etc. Adap...

Combining and updating the renowned Rigger's Apprentice and Rigger's Locker, meets the changing face of modern materials and technology while remaining true to rigging's best traditional principles and practices. It's much more than a knot book, though the knots a sailor needs are all here. It's a book for sailors who want the satisfaction and hard-cash savings of stepping their own masts, inspecting and maintaining their own rigs, and turning their own tailsplices and w...