Men, Ships and the Sea

National Geographic Society, 1962

A history of mankind's life on the sea from the raft that freed primitive man from the fetters of the land to the nuclear ship that opens new horizons in propulsion, following the development of ships and the cultures they nourished. Join a Viking chief roaring a martial song as his dragon ship sweeps landward; Marco Polo sailing on a Chinese junk; Nantucket men scouring the seas for whales, clipper men laying aloft to fist icy canvas in a Cape Horn storm. Learn how the Pharoahs built their ships; for the steering oar evolved into the rudder; how mariners navigate and seamen live under sail and steam. Trace naval gun development; delight in Henry Hudson's account of sighting a mermaid; marvel at Flying Cloud's record passages; and learn why a `ghost' stalked the Great Eastern. This extraordinary chronicle holds more than 400 photographs and paingings, 260 in colour, 27 maps, along with many drawings and diagrams...