For the young adventurer

School Ship Tobermory by Alexander McCall Smith Twins Ben and Fee MacTavish, who are nearly 13, are all set to join the school ship Tobermory, where youngsters from all over the world learn to become sailors. With a new team of shipmates (including Henry the dog, who once caught a mermaid) everything’s going swimmingly until a film crew arrives on scene and Ben lands a role as an extra. As you’d expect from McCall Smith, author of the hugely popular The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, a suspicious plot soon begins to emerge. Will our young friends get to the bottom of a sinister scheme? An exciting nautical adventure for youngsters aged 7+.
Published by BC Books
Hardback ISBN 9781780273334
Price: £9.99

For the maritime historian
An Absolute Wreck – the loss of the Thomas W. Lawson
by John Hicks
Review by Alex Doig, Vice Chair of the
City of Manchester Branch On 13 September 1907 after a stormy crossing from America, the Thomas W. Lawson found itself in treacherous waters just off the Isles of Scilly and dropped anchor. During the night
there was a severe storm and by the morning the Lawson was a wreck. This book studies the events leading up to the disaster and what happened during the attempts to help, as well as the aftermath. From the author, a direct descendant of many of those involved in the wreck, we also learn about the families of the Isles of Scilly, ships and seamanship and the islands themselves. A must if you enjoy seafaring history.
Published by Scotforth Books
Hardback ISBN 9781909817258
Price: £15
Available from the author at Flat 13,
17 Montagu Square, London, W12 2LE

For survival experts
438 Days – An Extraordinary
True Story of Survival at Sea
by Jonathan Franklin
Review by Debbie Kelly, volunteer at
Shoreham Harbour Lifeboat Station Experienced fisherman José Salvador Alvarenga launched his small fibreglass boat from the shores of Chiapas, Mexico, in December 2012, heading out for a short fishing trip with Ezequiel Cordoba. He didn’t see land again until 30 January 2014, 13 months later. Blown off course, the two drifted back and forth with never a sight of land for 6,000+ miles. They learned to collect raw fish, turtles, birds, sharks and rainwater, using every ounce of their wits to survive. The emotions are tangible as they go from euphoria to despair. At times, only Alvarenga’s sheer determination to survive kept him going. Author Jonathan Franklin wrote this account after spending a year by his side. It’s an amazing tale that highlights just how much the human body, mind and spirit can endure.
Published by Macmillan
Hardback ISBN 9781509800179
Price: £16.99
Paperback available June 2016

For the royal heritage enthusiast
HRH The Duke of Kent
– A Life of Service
by Celia and John Lee
At the time of his 80th birthday in October 2015, His Royal Highness Prince Edward The Duke of Kent remained one of the busiest members of the royal family, dedicating a large proportion of his time and efforts to good causes. Chapter 12 of this volume deals with the Duke’s involvement with the RNLI, having become the charity’s President in March 1969.
It documents his attendance at various RNLI ceremonies and visits to lifeboat stations, and also contains the author’s own perspective on the scope and history of our lifesaving work. Exhaustively thorough, diligently researched and a top choice for any royal history buff.
Published by Seymour Books
Softback ISBN 9781517220600
Price: £20

For the morbidly curious
Ate the Dog Yesterday – Maritime casualties, calamities and catastrophes
by Graham Faiella
The 19th and 20th centuries were hazardous times for shipping, and no shortage of original narrative exists
from the period. These accounts – taken mostly from the casualties columns and pages of Lloyd’s List – provide an eye-watering record of stranding, injury, mutiny, disease, murder, disaster and various other calamities from the heyday of deep-sea commercial sail. As engrossing as it is slightly icky, the comprehensive volume also provides a few interesting snapshots into the day-to-day life of sailors, including what they ate and what they encountered on reaching their exotic destinations.
Published by Whittles Publishing
Softback ISBN 9781849950893
Price: £30

For lighthouse lovers
Scottish and Manx Lighthouses – A Photographic Journey in the Footsteps of the Stevensons
by Ian Cowe
The formation of the Northern Lighthouse Board in 1786 heralded a unified approach to lighting Scotland’s shores. A young Robert Stevenson soon entered the picture, and went on to establish a dynasty of lighthouse engineers that spanned generations. Author Ian Cowes visits some of the remotest islands in the British Isles and marvels at the many engineering wonders the Stevensons created, including towers at Bell Rock, Skerryvore and Dubh Artach. Gorgeous scenery and wildlife are also captured in his pictures. Proceeds from the sale of this book will benefit the Northern Lighthouse Heritage Trust.
Published by Whittles Publishing
Softback ISBN 9780956720917
Price: £20