Breaking Seas, Broken Ships: People, Shipwrecks and Britain, 1854-2007
"Breaking Seas, Broken Ships carries the torch from Britain and the Ocean Road with grace, placing the human connections at the heart of each chapter. Based on original scholarship and taking refreshing perspectives on many episodes of British maritime history, the work offers a treasure trove of history for enthusiasts and professionals alike." - Naval Historical Foundation

Following Britain and the Ocean Road, Ian Friel expertly navigates the history of Britain and the sea from the Middle Ages to modern times. With Breaking Seas, Broken Ships, we follow the story of Britain’s maritime history through some of it’s most dramatic shipwrecks. From the country’s imperial zenith to the very different world of the early twenty-first century we encounter an extraordinary range of people, ships and events, including…

the crew and passengers of a state-of-the-art Victorian steamship who vanished in the Atlantic;

the sailors of a doomed collier brig in the dying days of sail – and the wives and children they left behind;

a lowly ex-naval stoker who went into showbiz with his version of a disaster caused by an admiral;

a First World War merchant ship captain who fought a running battle with German U-Boats;

the courage and compassion shown by British sailors who escaped their dive-bombed ships;

the people who confronted the ‘black tide’ left by the oil tanker Torrey Canyon;

how the container ship has helped to make a new world for us all – for better or worse.

With people at the heart of every chapter, it explores major environmental themes alongside the traditional concerns of maritime history, such as trade, social issues and naval warfare. Their experiences tell us the story of Britain’s maritime past, one that is remarkable, moving and at times horrifying. Based on brand new scholarship, it is perfect for history enthusiasts, professional historians and archaeologists alike.
1137594261
Breaking Seas, Broken Ships: People, Shipwrecks and Britain, 1854-2007
"Breaking Seas, Broken Ships carries the torch from Britain and the Ocean Road with grace, placing the human connections at the heart of each chapter. Based on original scholarship and taking refreshing perspectives on many episodes of British maritime history, the work offers a treasure trove of history for enthusiasts and professionals alike." - Naval Historical Foundation

Following Britain and the Ocean Road, Ian Friel expertly navigates the history of Britain and the sea from the Middle Ages to modern times. With Breaking Seas, Broken Ships, we follow the story of Britain’s maritime history through some of it’s most dramatic shipwrecks. From the country’s imperial zenith to the very different world of the early twenty-first century we encounter an extraordinary range of people, ships and events, including…

the crew and passengers of a state-of-the-art Victorian steamship who vanished in the Atlantic;

the sailors of a doomed collier brig in the dying days of sail – and the wives and children they left behind;

a lowly ex-naval stoker who went into showbiz with his version of a disaster caused by an admiral;

a First World War merchant ship captain who fought a running battle with German U-Boats;

the courage and compassion shown by British sailors who escaped their dive-bombed ships;

the people who confronted the ‘black tide’ left by the oil tanker Torrey Canyon;

how the container ship has helped to make a new world for us all – for better or worse.

With people at the heart of every chapter, it explores major environmental themes alongside the traditional concerns of maritime history, such as trade, social issues and naval warfare. Their experiences tell us the story of Britain’s maritime past, one that is remarkable, moving and at times horrifying. Based on brand new scholarship, it is perfect for history enthusiasts, professional historians and archaeologists alike.
32.95 In Stock
Breaking Seas, Broken Ships: People, Shipwrecks and Britain, 1854-2007

Breaking Seas, Broken Ships: People, Shipwrecks and Britain, 1854-2007

by Ian Friel
Breaking Seas, Broken Ships: People, Shipwrecks and Britain, 1854-2007

Breaking Seas, Broken Ships: People, Shipwrecks and Britain, 1854-2007

by Ian Friel

Paperback

$32.95 
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Overview

"Breaking Seas, Broken Ships carries the torch from Britain and the Ocean Road with grace, placing the human connections at the heart of each chapter. Based on original scholarship and taking refreshing perspectives on many episodes of British maritime history, the work offers a treasure trove of history for enthusiasts and professionals alike." - Naval Historical Foundation

Following Britain and the Ocean Road, Ian Friel expertly navigates the history of Britain and the sea from the Middle Ages to modern times. With Breaking Seas, Broken Ships, we follow the story of Britain’s maritime history through some of it’s most dramatic shipwrecks. From the country’s imperial zenith to the very different world of the early twenty-first century we encounter an extraordinary range of people, ships and events, including…

the crew and passengers of a state-of-the-art Victorian steamship who vanished in the Atlantic;

the sailors of a doomed collier brig in the dying days of sail – and the wives and children they left behind;

a lowly ex-naval stoker who went into showbiz with his version of a disaster caused by an admiral;

a First World War merchant ship captain who fought a running battle with German U-Boats;

the courage and compassion shown by British sailors who escaped their dive-bombed ships;

the people who confronted the ‘black tide’ left by the oil tanker Torrey Canyon;

how the container ship has helped to make a new world for us all – for better or worse.

With people at the heart of every chapter, it explores major environmental themes alongside the traditional concerns of maritime history, such as trade, social issues and naval warfare. Their experiences tell us the story of Britain’s maritime past, one that is remarkable, moving and at times horrifying. Based on brand new scholarship, it is perfect for history enthusiasts, professional historians and archaeologists alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781399003780
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication date: 07/24/2025
Pages: 208
Product dimensions: 6.25(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dr. Ian Friel is a maritime historian with an international reputation and wide experience of historical and archaeological projects, such as research into Henry V’s great warship Grace Dieu and the 17th-century Swash Channel Wreck (which he successfully identified as the Fame of Hoorn). After a long career working in museums, including the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich and the Mary Rose Trust, he went freelance in 2007 as an independent historian, museum consultant and writer.

Ian is the author of The Good Ship, The British Museum Maritime History of Britain and Ireland and Henry V’s Navy, along with many papers, reports and other publications, and he has broadcast on TV and radio.

Table of Contents

Author's Notes vi

Image and quotation credits vii

A note on tonnage measurement viii

Introduction ix

Chapter 1 'Steam has conquered storms and tides': The Passenger Liner City of Glasgow (1854) 1

Chapter 2 Message in a Bottle: The Collier Brig Russell of Littlehampton (1872) 21

Chapter 3 The Mastermind and the Insubordinate Stoker: The Battleship HMS Victoria (1893) 38

Chapter 4 'Last signal giving position…': The Merchant Ship SS Terence of Liverpool (1917) 58

Chapter 5 End of Empire: The Heavy Cruisers HMS Dorsetshire and HMS Cornwall (1942) 78

Chapter 6 The Spill: The Oil Tanker SS Torrey Canyon (1967) 98

Chapter 7 Oceans of Stuff: The Container Ship MSC Napoli (2007) 118

Endpiece 139

Abbreviations 142

Bibliography 143

Notes 154

Index 168

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