The Advent of Steam, the Merchant Ship before 1900

THE ADVENT OF STEAM: THE MERCHANT SHIP BEFORE 1900

The advent of steam power was the greatest innovation in maritime transport since the development of the three-masted ship in the Middle Ages, but it took nearly a century to become established, and the story of its development in Europe, the Far East and in America is the subject of this volume.

There were good reasons, technical and economic, why the process was so lengthy and why sailing remained a viable option in so many trades throughout the century. As a mode of propulsion, the paddle wheel had many drawbacks and was only of limited use; even with the perfection of the screw propeller in the 1840s, progress was restrained by the uneconomic nature of early machinery, and it was not until efficient compound engines became widely available in the 1870s that the steamship finally flourished.
Much of this volume represents original research and considerable reinterpretation. Some subjects, such as the sail-assisted steamer, have barely been addressed before, and so it represents a genuine step forward for our understanding of the development of the ship of this period.
Lavishly illustrated, this informative volume, the fifth in a series, includes over 80 black-and-white photos, 130 illustrations, and over 20 tables.

CONWAY'S HISTORY OF THE SHIP

The ship is probably the most influential tool in human history and it continues to exert a widespread and persistent fascination. CONWAY'S HISTORY OF THE SHIP is the first comprehensive and authoritative account of this technological and cultural phenomenon.
An unprecedented line-up of over one hundred leading maritime historians and specialists from around the world has been assembled to ensure that the work is informative, authoritative and fully international in outlook.
Every significant ship type from the dawn of seafaring to the present day is analyzed in detailed and coherent essays. Each volume adopts a strong theme which allows it to stand alone, but throughout the series a strict chronological sequence has been maintained.