Facts and figures about Arctic missions
Churchill's Arctic Convoys, by William Smith
It's always been known that Britain sent essential supplies to the USSR by sea during the Second World War, but for many years this was played down because Russia had turned from ally to enemy in the post-war years. So it's refreshing to see these missions branded 'Churchill's Arctic Convoys' in this new volume from Pen & Sword, emphasising that they had the stamp of approval from the revered wartime leader.
These were terrible voyages, as many Merchant Navy veterans have attested, with seafarers often having to spend all day and night chipping frozen seawater off the deck to stop the weight of the ice sinking the vessel.
This book, however, is not the place to hear powerful personal stories. What we do get is a blow-by-blow account of each convoy, with dates, destinations and what happened during U-boat and air attacks. The military escort ships are always named, but on the whole the merchant vessels are not, unless they were attacked and needed rescuing.
The work is enhanced by maps, photos, a bibliography and an index, and it's fine as far as it goes; it just feels like it's missing something from the Merchant Navy perspective.
Churchill's Arctic Convoys: Strength Triumphs Over Adversity
By William Smith
Pen & Sword, £25
978 13990 72298
Buy this book in the Nautilus Bookshop
While you're there, why not browse the rest of the titles in our unique maritime bookshop, which sells all the books reviewed on these pages.
Buy nowMore Books
The precarious path from piracy to prosperity
The Resurrected Pirate by Craig S ChapmanThe Resurrected Pirate is a remarkable story told in an engaging way, illustrating for the modern reader the desperately narrow passage between life and death that a seafarer in this period might have to navigate.
Carving out a career
Ships' Figureheads: Famous Carving FamiliesThe decoration of ships with figureheads was a way to present the might of military and mercantile power for centuries. These days, the skills needed to make these sculptures are kept alive by experts such as Andrew Peters, who has worked on restoration projects such as the Cutty Sark tea clipper.
Knotty problems solved
The Knot Bible: The Complete Guide to Knots And Their Uses by Nic ComptonKnot-tying is a vital competency skill for seafarers, and this expanded edition of The Knot Bible by Nic Compton offers guidance on over 200 knots and their practical uses.
Why it's nice to splice
Splicing modern ropes, 2nd edition: a practical handbook by Jan-Willem PolmanSplicing rope is as an essential skill for seafarers as tying a knot, but some skills are disappearing. This definitive guide on why splicing gets more from your rope is a great stocking filler for all boaters, whether recreational or commercial.