Historic Ships The Survivors

A record of Britain's historic ships Unique book giving history and details of the important merchant ships preserved around Britain's coasts Paul Brown, author of Maritime Portsmouth, takes us on a tour of Britain's historic ships - both big and small - giving a history of each, the efforts involved in their preservation, their locations and current use. Britain has a unique maritime heritage and it is often forgotten just how many ships have been built here. Most have, sadly, met their end, either by sinking or scrapping, but a few have survived and these vessels, spread across the country, in a variety of ownerships, form the core of a national collection of international importance. From paddle steamers like the Waverley, the world's last sea-going paddle steamer, and Tattershall Castle, once a Humber ferry and now a floating pub and restaurant on the Thames, to tugs such as Calshot, which once tendered the mighty ocean liners in Southampton, and launches such as the Raven, a familiar site on Windermere, the variety of preserved ship is fascinating.