• A leading maritime historian, Dr John de Courcy Ireland has lectured on maritime history in more than 20 countries in four continents; he is research officer of both the Irish Commission on Maritime History, which he established, and the Maritime Institute of Ireland, of which he has been a council member for 37 years. Dr de Courcy Ireland has recently retired after 26 years service from the position of honorary secretary of Dun Laoghaire, one or Ireland's busiest lifeboat stations guarding the southern approaches to the Port of Dublin. He received a PhD at Trinity College, Dublin, in 1950 for a thesis on The Sea in Education and is also the recipient of several honorary awards: the Asguard Award; A Person of the Year Award, in 1979, for his contribution to Irish maritime affairs; and an Honorary Doctorate of Law from University College, Dublin, in 1982.

It was natural, almost inevitable, that Dr John de Courcy Ireland should write Wreck and Rescue on the East Coast of Ireland (The Glendale Press, available in the Republic of Ireland from Hodges Figgis and Co Ltd, 56 Dawson Street, Dublin 2, price £E16.50, and in the UK from Mainmast Books, Saxmundham, Suffolk, price £13.25 plus £1.25 postage).

The book traces the history of wreck and rescue from the earliest days of consciousness of those in peril on the sea. It sets the scene by describing in great detail the East Coast of Ireland, its weather patterns and its seamen. It is generously illustrated with a great many photographs, charts and maps old and new. Among the very useful appendices can be found records of all existing as well as closed lifeboat stations of the area. On glancing at the bibliography one realises the exhaustive research undertaken in the preparation and writing of this book.

For all who have a keen interest in the saving of life from shipwreck I feel certain this book will find an honoured place on their bookshelves. For those involved in the study of history of the sea Wreck and Rescue on the East Coast of Ireland is a must; it will, in my view, fill a major gap in the maritime history of Ireland.—J.L.K.

• For the yachtsman who is uncertain about the correct procedure for amending his portfolio of charts, Reed's Chart Correction by M. R. Nelms (Thomas Reed Publications, £3.25) explains with clear text and illustrations the right and wrong away of carrying out this task.

Amendments can be made using parallel rules and dividers or tracings: details are given using both means. An explanation is also given as to how to obtain Notices to Mariners, the Admiralty publication printed weekly that contains the information the mariner needs to keep his charts up to date.

Other useful chapters contain details on the chart catalogue, foreign charts and chart preparation for passage. An appendix includes a list of equipment required for making corrections—in all a useful guide for the mariner in this important task.—E.D.M.

• It was a distressing shock when Rob James died, due to going overboard off Salcombe early last year and, as is shown by his book Multihulls Offshore (Nautical Books, Macmillan, £14.95), we have lost a good writer on the sea and especially on multihulls.

The first part of the book tells of his multihull experience in trimarans from 31ft LOA to 80ft LOA, from the Observer Single-handed Transatlantic Race (OSTAR) to Round Britain races; the latter part deals with multihull design and construction.

As Rob James had raced twice round the world in large monohulls, he had considerable ocean racing experience; it was through his close connection with Chay Blyth that he came to multihull racing, because Chay had decided that he must have a tri to stand a chance of winning such races as the OSTAR and Round Britain. The interesting accounts of his races are well and concisely written but his last race, Round Britain with his wife Dame Naomi, is fascinating. This was in the 60ft Colt Cars GB designed by Ron Holland, incorporating Rob's ideas. He describes the building of this craft, using the latest exotic materials to save weight, in considerable detail.

The chapters on design and rigging of trimarans cover a wide range from simplified stability aspects to sail trimming and include the deductions from his experience. The numerous illustrations and line drawings are excellent: a splendid book.—R.H.F.

• A collection of sea stories and anecdotes, many contributed by such well-known people as Clare Francis, Alistair Cooke, Mike Yarwood and Sir Peter Parker, has been published in Worse Things Happen at Sea to raise funds for the National Lifeboat Museum, Bristol. Some of the stories are amusing, others recall wartime experiences or ill-fated leisure trips and some of the 85 pages carry illustrations of the lifeboats currently on display in the museum.

In his foreword to the book. HRH The Prince Philip writes: 'The proceeds of this book go to the National Lifeboat Museum, itself a memorial and tribute to the generations of volunteer lifeboatmen who have gone to the help of those in peril on the sea.' For this reason alone, many people may like to have a copy of this book. It is available from bookshops at £2.75 or from Abson Books, Abson, Wick, Bristol BS15 5TT at £2.90. including postage.—H.D. • As might be expected of Debrett's Peerage, Debrett's Register of Yachts 1983 (hardback £40, paperback £25) is a magnificent tome of reference. There is a shift of emphasis from the old Lloyd's Register of Yachts with more boats included but not quite so much detail about each. In addition there are some 16 interesting articles on marine subjects, three by RNLI committee members or staff: 'A view over the harbour wall—the changing face of yachting' by Maldwin Drummond, a vice-president of the Institution and chairman of the Boat Committee, The development of the modern yacht' by Colin Mudie, a member of the Boat and Technical Consultative Committees; and 'The Lifeboats' by Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief of operations.

The price of this book must be a drawback to its wide purchase for use afloat, especially in small yachts where the safe stowage of its A4 bulk may well present problems. Damage, too, by water and damp, especially to the glossy pages, must be highly likely. Nevertheless, it is a volume every yacht owner should endeavour to purchase, if only 'once in a blue moon'.—A.P.M.W.

• Crabs and Shannocks (Poppyland Publishing, 4a Chesterfield Villas, West Street. Cromer, Norfolk NR27 9ED, £3.45 plus 45p postage and packing) is a small but fascinating book on the fishing communities of Cromer and Sheringham.

The book is written by Peter Stibbons, Martin Warren, curator of Cromer Museum, and Katherine Lee, a fisherman's daughter and wife. It looks into the traditions and superstitions of the two communities; the boats and equipment used; the fishermen's home life, how they dressed and ate; and there are also recipes for the renowned Cromer crab.

For me, however, the most moving and interesting chapter is that entitled Tuesday 22nd September 1982. On that day Katherine Lee's husband took his sturdy fishing boat to sea as normal, but due to a change in wind direction and the prevailing weather conditions it was necessary to launch Cromer lifeboat when his return was overdue. In her writing you feel the sudden panic Mrs Lee experiences, then the equally sudden calmness as rational thinking takes over and as she prepares for her husband to return, which, thankfully he does.—S.J.G..