VOYAGES FROM THE PAST: A History of Passengers at Sea

Janet Schaw, 1774: 'Nothing can be less cleanly than our cabin, unless it be its commander?' Britain's island status means that its citizens have always needed to cross the waves to travel any great distance. Maritime genealogist Dr Simon Wills has specialised in studying Britain's seagoing heritage and its impact on contemporary lives. Join intrepid Thomas Dallam confronting fearsome 16th century privateers, endure the horror of contagious disease at sea with William Smith in 1847, enjoy meals, concerts and romance with Herbert Watts on a Victorian P&O cruise or witness the Lusitania's last journey with passenger Phoebe Amory. Each chapter narrates one traveller's voyage based on their first-hand description and many are previously unpublished. There are emigrants seeking a new life abroad such as the pilgrims on the Mayflower, author Henry Fielding travelling to improve his health, whilst the wealthy George Moore crossed the Atlantic on Brunel's Great Western to do business. Here are the delays to sailing schedules, poor diet, enemy action and shipwreck, a steamship to Australia, Mediterranean and Suez, honeymooners, taking an African holiday, visiting the Caribbean, a steerage passenger to New York to a world cruise in luxury. Experience how passenger pursuits, facilities and experiences at sea have changed over time. Hugely entertaining, 176pp, 16 pages of photos and woodcut illus.