The First Atlantic Liners: Seamanship in the Age of Paddle Wheel, Sail and Screw Book

With the introduction of steam and the development of early paddle steamers, or 'flappers' as the Americans called them, new problems of ship handling were encountered which required a specialised form of seamanship. This highly original book seeks to discover, principally by examining the evidence of the logs of several ocean-going steamers, just how the owners and seamen of the day contrived to make these vessels seaworthy and weatherly.In extreme conditions, paddlewheel propulsion was often found inadequate and control of the ship only maintained with the help of her sails. They also instilled passenger confidence, for breakdowns did occur, and were in fact vital to the success of the voyage by reducing the heavy fuel consumption and increasing speed. However, masts and yards slowed the steamer in strong headwinds and extra crew were needed to handle the canvas. Furthermore, by the end of the passage, paddlewheel immersion was less efficient and the reduced stability adversely affected sailing performance.The solutions to all these problems form the core of this book, and the authors' text and illustrations provide a vivid picture of how the well-established traditions of the sailing ship were adapted to promote the development of the paddle ships and the early screw vessels on the inhospitable seas of the North Atlantic. This book represents a compelling piece of research for all those with an interest in the early days of steam and the first transatlantic liners? Read More