Seamanship in the Age of Sail by John Harland

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02-22-2014, 13:52
DeRuyter

Seamanship in the Age of Sail by John Harland

I wanted to post this as a book review as well as a reference but the book review page is returning an error.

I just posted some diagrams from this book. It is an invaluable reference tool. I bought it when I was taking a crew training class for sailing on a tall ship. This book is very detailed, covering every aspect of ship handling, including the historical development of hull and sail shapes. There is a chapter on the theory and physics of sailing including the action of the wind on the sails and the water on the hull. The book considers each part of the rig and each sail as well. There are chapters on sailing in heavy weather and ship handling in channels and confined waterways. There is a chapter on accidents which includes damage to the rigging and running around, which could be useful in scenarios. Here are the details.

"Seamanship in the Age of Sail"

John Harland

Illustrated by Mark Myers

Pub: 1984 (reprinted through 1996) Conway Maritime Press (In the US by Naval Institute Press)

ISBN: 0-87021-955-3

Now for the bad news, Amazon has listed for $270+ :shock: (I bought it in 1998 new for $60).

http://www.amazon.com/Seamanship-Age...he+age+of+sail
02-22-2014, 18:55
Gunner

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeRuyter

I wanted to post this as a book review as well as a reference but the book review page is returning an error.

I just posted some diagrams from this book. It is an invaluable reference tool. I bought it when I was taking a crew training class for sailing on a tall ship. This book is very detailed, covering every aspect of ship handling, including the historical development of hull and sail shapes. There is a chapter on the theory and physics of sailing including the action of the wind on the sails and the water on the hull. The book considers each part of the rig and each sail as well. There are chapters on sailing in heavy weather and ship handling in channels and confined waterways. There is a chapter on accidents which includes damage to the rigging and running around, which could be useful in scenarios. Here are the details.

"Seamanship in the Age of Sail"

John Harland

Illustrated by Mark Myers

Pub: 1984 (reprinted through 1996) Conway Maritime Press (In the US by Naval Institute Press)

ISBN: 0-87021-955-3

Now for the bad news, Amazon has listed for $270+ :shock: (I bought it in 1998 new for $60).

http://www.amazon.com/Seamanship-Age...he+age+of+sail

It's $500 on ebay.
02-22-2014, 20:52
Naharaht

You could try your local public library. Mine has a copy.
02-23-2014, 00:12
David Manley

Its another one of those "must have" books for when you are working on a set of AoS rules. I was lucky to be doing so when it was first published
02-23-2014, 01:04
John Paul

Holy Quarterdeck!!!!! I bought mine many years ago when I joined Naval Institute Press along with a few other books at the time! With the "new member" discount and a sale they were having I paid about $20 a piece for the 5 or 6 books I bought at the time!!! :shock: Looks like I have a gold mine sitting on my shelf!!! :thumbsup: If only I could bring myself to part with them!!!! :sad:
02-23-2014, 01:09
Gunner

I'll be a nice guy and give you a cool $10.00 profit.:sly:
02-23-2014, 08:37
Cmmdre

I thank Berthier for posting some images from that book and a review which promted me to purchase my copy a while back when the price was reasonable. I've notice a whole bunch of similarly themed books I have recently picked up also jumped in value.

http://www.sailsofglory.org/showthre...nship+age+sail
02-23-2014, 10:25
7eat51

I just ordered this through interlibrary loan. $500 on ebay - basically the price of the Commodore level on the SoG KS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cmmdre

I've notice a whole buch of similarly themed books I have recently picked up also jumped in value.

A sign of your influence, my Friend. :wink:

I usually notice that the price of books or games skyrocket while they are sitting in my cart waiting for me to finally pull the trigger. Slowly, I am learning to complete the transactions instead of engaging in endless self-debate.
02-23-2014, 18:05
DeRuyter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cmmdre

I thank Berthier for posting some images from that book and a review which promted me to purchase my copy a while back when the price was reasonable. I've notice a whole bunch of similarly themed books I have recently picked up also jumped in value.

http://www.sailsofglory.org/showthre...nship+age+sail

oops I scanned the Book Reviews and missed that post! :embarass:

Since you have the book you'll be familiar with the diagrams on tacking and other maneuvers I posted! :thumbsup:
02-24-2014, 01:42
John Paul

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunner

I'll be a nice guy and give you a cool $10.00 profit.:sly:

Thanks for the offer Ed, but I think the book fits nicely on my shelf for now! I'll keep you in mind though one of these days!! :happy:
02-24-2014, 01:47
Gunner

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Paul

Thanks for the offer Ed, but I think the book fits nicely on my shelf for now! I'll keep you in mind though one of these days!! :happy:

Better hurry. Offer is only good until you get tired of looking at it.:beer:
02-24-2014, 02:34
John Paul

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunner

Better hurry. Offer is only good until you get tired of looking at it.:beer:

I just blew a full swallow of soda through my nose!! :happy: Thank goodness I didn't waste any - :beer::clap:
02-24-2014, 09:12
Gunner

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Paul

I just blew a full swallow of soda through my nose!! :happy: Thank goodness I didn't waste any - :beer::clap:

Thank God you weren't drinking beer. Glad I got a smile:drinks:
02-25-2014, 03:52
KeithS

I don't know if the very high prices are for the first editions but I just bought a reprinted copy for £40 from here http://www.jotika-ltd.com/Pages/1024...ooks_71793.htm and a quick Google search in the UK found a copy for £65 here http://www.camberpete.co.uk/pilotage...e_of_sail.html. Having said that it would be worth checking via telephone to make sure that the listings are up to date and that they still have copies in stock.

Most likely these are not collectable first editions but I would assume that most people here would want a 'working copy' rather than one to be preserved in a secure vault guarded by leopards. :happy:
02-25-2014, 16:01
csadn

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeithS

I don't know if the very high prices are for the first editions but I just bought a reprinted copy for £40 from here http://www.jotika-ltd.com/Pages/1024...ooks_71793.htm and a quick Google search in the UK found a copy for £65 here http://www.camberpete.co.uk/pilotage...e_of_sail.html. Having said that it would be worth checking via telephone to make sure that the listings are up to date and that they still have copies in stock.

Remember to take into account currency differences -- for ex., xe.com is showing that £40 as ~$67 US.

Then there's the fun of International Shipping.... :P
02-28-2014, 05:02
KeithS

Due to a bit of a mix up, in that the UK sellers told me that the book was out of stock prompting me to buy a used copy from the US, then finding one in stock and sending it to me, I now have two copies of this book. Therefore I am willing to sell one copy, unfortunately this will have to be the used one to recoup my losses and I will have to ask £100 plus P&P, this is pretty much what it cost me I am not seeking to make a profit. It isn't a first edition (1995 printing I think) but it is in good used condition with a plastic cover over the dust jacket. If you are interested let me know here or PM me; if there is no interest fair enough, I will try my luck on eBay in a month or so. I will also post a copy of this notice in the for sale forum as well.