1905. The first vessel to accomplish this hi storic feat, the Gj¢a was towed into San Franc isco and hauled ashore in Golden Gate Park to be a monument to seafaring endeavor. But the stout little vessel became a sun-bleached wreck, exposed to Pacific winds and blazing Cali fo rnia sun with no shelter and no attendants to look after her. The Fish Club restored and rebuilt her with city support. Lacki ng a secure fundin g base, the club returned the Gj¢a to Norway, where she is on ex hibition today. The Gj¢a's story is only one of a score or more that crowd these lively pages recording the doings of a club whose aim , as expressed by Mr. Engvig, was to meet together at lunch to share "fish from the Pacifi c and wine fro m the Californ ian vineyards, and to chat about current events , Norway and the future." Mr. Engvig's work sav ing hi storic steamers in Norwegian waters has been noted in Sea History before (see SH64). Here, he convincing ly demonstrates the human side of the work of phys ical restoration, and hi s observation as to why thi s aspect is so important to the heritage of mankind is worth quoting: Only a culturally deprived society will leave little behind and provide the new generations with fess ba ffast and a smaller platform to build their fiv es on. It is a good generation that saves fo r its children things to see and learnji-om , to make them f eel important and proud of themselves and their ancestors' achievements. PS
Passage East, by Ian Marshall, commentary by John Max tone-Graham (Howe!I Press, Inc. , Charlottesville VA, 1997, I 60pp, illus, ISBN 1-57427-069-9; $60hc) Mr. Marshall's latest book is a most colorfu l portrayal , in words, drawings and waterco lors, of the British maritim e history associated with the openi ng of the Suez Canal. There is much to be learned by stud ying th e fine pencil sketches , the small watercolor studies and particul arly the fin ished paintings that truly express the fluid essence of watercolor. A sense of energy througho ut thi s book keeps the pictures from being just portraits of shi ps. The artist's thorough research and knowledge of marine architecture, plu s hi s skill ed draftsmanship, allow him to capture the detail s and characteristics of early steamsh ips in the spontaneou s manner of watercolor. The small harbor craft in many of the drawSEA HISTORY 85, SUMMER 1998
ings and pamtmgs are rendered in a quick sketch form, an almost impression istic style that enhances the ir function and movement. The "on-deck" scenes bring to life the co lor and activity of shipboard travel of thi s period and place. The spontaneity of Marshall's watercolor brushstrokes effectively recall s figures and fonns from out of the past, and the white space within and surrounding the paintings conveys a sense of intense sunli ght, typical of the Middle East. Passage East is a unique co llection of marine art in the story it tells, as well as the outstanding quality of the watercolors. This book wi II be appreciated by marine art lovers everywhere. DON C. NORRIS
NAVAL HISTORY BOOKS THE REAL HORNBLOWER The Life and Times of Admiral Sir James Gordon, GCH by Bry<111 Perret.I. 168 pa ges. 16 illu s. #1-6973/$29.95
Navies in History
by Clark G. Rey11olds 304 pages. 29 illu s. Bib liog. Index. Hardcover: #l -7163 /S35.00 Paperback : # ] - 7155/$24. 95
Facing Fearful Odds: The Siege of Wake Island, by Gregory J. W. Urwin (University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln NE and London UK, 1997, 727pp, maps, illus , biblio, appen , index, ISBN 0-8032455 -6; $58.95hc) In World War II, Wake Island had potential strategic value for any American offensive aimed at Japanese ho ldings in the western Pacific. Located 2,000 miles westward of Pearl Harbor, it had promi se for becoming a US bastion of power, which the Japanese knew could become a telling blow to their hopes fo r victory . But when the Japanese struck the Pac ific fleet at Pearl Harbor, construction had hardly begun on Wake, and defense installation s there were still rudimentary . The c ivili an labor force ass igned to the island numbered nearl y a thousand men. Protection of the island rested with the Wake Island Detachment, part of the 1st Defense Battalion, US Marine Corps. Planning fo r Wake's interim defense had considered that the contractor 's civilian workers would ass ist the marines in the event hostilities broke out. Only abo ut 60 of the civilians actually took up arms while a few others lent a hand in logistical support functi ons. The Marines beat off a first Japanese assault, but the Japanese soon returned in greater strength , forc ing a capitulation. The fate of the American marines and civilians who surrendered at Wake varied. The marines and the bulk of the contractor's civilians were shipped to China, where they fared better than most Occidental military prisoners during most of the war. Eventuall y, a numberofthem were shipped to Japan as slave laborers.
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THE CAMPAIGN OF TRAFALGAR, 1303-1305 edit.ed by Robert. Gardiner 192 pages. 300 illu s. # l -86176-02 8-0/S49.95
HURRICANE OF FIRE The Union Assau lt on Fort Fisher by Clwrles 111. Robi11son Ill 256 pages . 18 photos. 7 illu s. Bibliog. Index. #1-7201/$29 .95
LIGHTHOUSES AND KEEPERS The U.S. Lighthouse Service and Its Legacy by Dennis L. No ble 272 pages . 56 photos. 30 illu s. Bibli og. Index. #l-6388/$34.95
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