Posted on Thursday, December 20, 2012 by Martin Cox
Cunard Line is the most famous shipping company in the world. Although many books have been written about Cunard’s passenger ships in the 20th century, few have covered the 19th century fleet in much detail, particularly the important Mediterranean services. The cargo fleet has also been poorly served, especially with the carriage of cargo being as important as passenger carryings during the first 150 years of Cunard’s existence. Little has also been written about the company tenders and the many ships managed by Cunard during both World Wars. Using original source material, this book redresses this imbalance with the most comprehensive history ever written about Cunard and its ships. The individual histories of 310 ships from Unicorn in 1840 to the current Queen Elizabeth are featured plus over 700 illustrations, many of which have never been published before, including many in colour. Great care has also been taken with the layout of the book so that it is easy to follow. Not only is there a detailed index, individual chapters also tell the story of the ships in each aspect of the company’s operation, including the trans-Atlantic liners, cargo fleet, cruise ships, tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, reefers and managed ships. The front cover of the book has a specially-commissioned painting of the original Queen Elizabeth by the renowned marine artist Stephen Card. Written by the author of Mauretania Triumph and Resurrection and the definitive fleet histories of the Union-Castle and Orient Lines, it is hoped that Cunard Line a fleet history will become the standard reference for the 173-year-old Cunard Line.
Cunard Line a fleet history is a 304-page, A4 hardback, available at £39.50 plus £3.50 postage (UK) from J. and M. Clarkson, 18 Franklands, Longton, Preston, PR4 5PD, UK tel 01772 612855, or by email from shipsinfocus@btinternet.com
Web address is shipsinfocus.com
Peter Newall
December 23, 2012 at 9:53 am
Many thanks Martin for including the information about my new book. I received my first copy on Friday and Ships in Focus has done a magnificent job as usual.
I think ship lovers will be astonished at the amount of detail, including the first voyages of most of the 19th century vessels and information about the war-managed ships such as Nieuw Amsterdam and Ile de France. We have also included images of most of the 310 ships plus some very rare photos i.e. Queen Elizabeth off New Zealand during the war and the only-known photo of Sambo on her fateful maiden voyage in 1943.
Best wishes,
Peter
Martin Cox
December 23, 2012 at 11:20 am
I look forward to seeing this fleet history with great anticipation Peter, it sounds really marvelous – Martin
richard osborne
December 23, 2012 at 10:27 pm
Peter,
is it true that the Qe2 has been to the Chinnes for scrap?
Peter Knego
December 24, 2012 at 12:26 am
Richard, I’m waiting for confirmation but it would not surprise me if scrapping is the ultimate outcome of the ill-conceived Dubai project. — Peter
Peter Newall
January 4, 2013 at 6:11 pm
Hello Martin,
Today Mainmast Books has on the front of its website put a few pages from my Cunard book which gives a flavour of the book.
http://www.nauticalbooks.co.uk/index.asp
The general reaction so far has been pretty good as it is unlike anything ever written about the company.
Peter
PS QE2 is only ONE out of 310 ships!! lol