Sumner class, the first of which was commissioned on 26 January 1944. Initially devoting a chapter to the Sumner-Gearing class design, Sumrall follows with five chapters dealing with armament, fire control, electronics, engineering, and conversion/modernization. This in turn is followed by a postscript and three detailed appendices . In hi s postscript, Sumrall states that "fifty years of service is certainly a tribute to their designers and builders." Be that as it may, as a gunner 's mate serv ing on one of these destroyers in the mid- l 970s, I did not reli sh the thought of going to war with a forty-year-old . gun system and virtually no anti-aircraft defense! By then these ships had long outlived their usefulness. With that minor objection noted, Sumrall has written a design study tourde-force that provides invaluable detail and information on all aspects of this important post-World War II class of destroyers. HAROLD N. BOYER Aston, Pennsylvania
.
)
Nelson: an Illustrated History , edited by Pieter van der Merwe (Laurence King Publishing, London UK/Trafalgar Square, North Pomfret VT, 1996, 176pp, illus, notes, biblio, index, ISBN 1-85669061; £11.95/$22.95pb). This handsome large-format publication tells the story of the world ' s bestknown admiral, drawing on the matchless holdings of England's National Maritime Museum to illustrate Nelson's life and times. A very readable text places Nelson's career in the context of the Age of Revolutions in which he won the defining victories at sea, leading to the overthrow of Napoleon ' s empire and the opening of the hundred years ' Pax Britannica, 1815- 19 14. Brian Lavery contributes di stingui shed chapters on the Royal Navy of Nelson's day and an incisive di scussion of his victories. Original letters and other documents of the time are exte nsiv ely quoted throughout the work, adding considerably to its interest and value. With the solemn portraits, battle sketches, lusty cartoons of the era, and such objects as the ship's bell of the San Josef (the ship Nelson captured and used as a " patent bridge" to board another, still more formidable ship), thi s well researched and richly illustrated volume does much to bring to life a vani shed era surviving today onl y in Nelson's shi p HMS VicSEA HISTORY 77, SPRING 1996
Nautigues ... Memories of a Grand Era Since 1986, Nau1iques has taken great pride in offering the best in personalized service to the discerning collector of ocean liner memorabilia. We offer a wide variety of ~ems from the legendary liners, including furn~ure . linens. posters, silverware, china. crystal, and an extensive selection of paper goods. We can also assist you in locating special ~ems to enhance your collection. Our Atlanta showroom is open weekdays or by appointment . Take the opportun~y to vis~ the USA's only store stocked exclusively in qual~y ocean liner merchandise. Wr~e or call for a current catalog; the $5.00 catalog fee is refundable w~h your first order.
1189 Howell Mffl Road • Atlanta, GA 30318 • Phone/FAX (404) 356-6697
Ship Models ~
y~, r.Jl ·
A
Great selection of finely detailed hi storic ship models at great prices. Restorations & custom bui lding.
Richard MacDuffie
OCEAN LINER MODELS
2 Browns Rd., Grafton MA 01519
508-839-4939
Miniature scale (I" = 100') waterline models of the great linm of yesterday and today; The Cunard Queens, Normandie, Titanic. luisitania, Andrea Doria. France, etc.. a collection of over 100! Fully assembled & hand-painted, finely & accurately detailed; Warihips &merchant shipsalso; Send $4.00 for illustrated catalog to:
Our Advertisers are our Standing Rigging
A&a11£\1FG9 PO Box 9 Belle Haven. VA 23306
Tell them you saw their ad in Sea History!
Dept SH296
The tongue in cheek adventures of growing up in Brooklyn-being a midshipman at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy-going down to the sea in ships-marrying and raising 7 kids-becoming a widower.
LOST AT SEA
by Bob Carney '57
Send check for $14.95 to: ABC Publishing Co. 6 Lodge Lane, Parsippany, NJ 07054
NMHS Needs Macintosh computers! Especially Powerbooks! Gifts of this kind have been of inestimable help to us, and they entitle you to a tax-deduction. If you can be of help, please p!1one Justine at 1-800-221-NMHS
NMHS really needs laser printers to keep up with the excellent response to our request for computers! If you have a Mac-compatible laser printer of recent vintage and 600 dpi that you can donate , please call Justine at
1-800-221-NMHS. 45