Reviews Fires hip: The Terror Weapon ofthe Age of Sail by Peter Kirsch (Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland, 2009, 256pp, notes, biblio, index, ISBN 978-1-5911-4 2706; $74.95hc) The primary mission of a firesh ip was to carry a vast quantity of inflammable material with the goal of incinerating enemy ships. The vessel was intricately designed and had specific uses in battle. Once its target was grappled , the combustibles were kindled, and the ship's crew made its escape, or tried to at least, via a rowed launch.
What began as a drifting raft carrying a bonfire to a vessel made of combustible materials, evolved into rowing galleys carrying "Greek Fire" and, eventually, specially devised sailing vessels. Like modern ballistic missiles, fireships were expensive to build, could not be reused once deployed, and their vital characteristics were stealth and speed. To be effective, however, they had to be in close range of their target and in a location where tides and prevailing winds could transport them to their prey, while darkness, squalls, fog, and smoke provided cover at sea. When a fireship attack appeared imminent, fear spread among seamen, leadi ng to a breakdown of discipline- this strategy of frightening the enemy via a looming threat of conflagration was commonly employed and less dangerous to both parties. These weapons were used to assault concentratio ns of warships in confined waters (such as rivers), vessels anchored off lee shores, and grounded or disabled
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ships. Fireships, an integral part of the naval arsenal during the age of sail, were rarely decisive in military engagements because of the success of the enemy's defensive measures. These included firing at approaching vessels, installing stout chains across harbor entrances, and rigging spring lines attached to anchor cables, small towing vessels, and studdingsail booms ("fire-booms"), which could manually push burning ships away to avert disaster. Crews of fireships received substantial rewards if they were successful, but if they abandoned prematurely, and thus gave the appearance of cowardice, the crew members were severely punished. If they were captured by the enemy, the fireship crewm en were badly treated and often hanged. In summary, Kirsch has written an extensively illustrated and elegantly written history of these vessels. His erudite work examines a neglected but important naval weapon and is an authoritative resource for the naval historian. Lams ARTHUR NoRTON West Simsbury, Connecticut
to sons and grandsons across three generations. In business for more than a century, the shipyard has made adjustments as ship designs evolved and shipbui lding materials changed dramatically. Schooners and square-rigged ships, steam paddlewheelers, and diesel tugs and ships of all sorts-they've worked on them all . Erin Urba n, fo unding executive director of the Noble Maritime Center on Staten Island, worked with the current ch airman and CEO John B. Caddell II, his employees, and photographer Michael Falco to document the company's history. The result of their efforts is well more than a n arrow company history; CaddeLL
Caddell Dry Dock: 100 Years Harborside! by Erin Urban with photos by
step hen .arichardson@comcast.net Whittles Publishing • 603 778 8032
Michael Falco (Noble Maritime Collection, Staten Island, New York, 2009, 113pp, photos, biblio, index, ISBN 978-09623017-3-5; $40hc) Caddell Dry Dock is simultaneously a history book, a gorgeous coffee-table photography book, and a contemporary look at a working shipyard, in business since 1903 and in its present location on the Kill Va n Kull in Staten Island since 1916. Once surrounded by other marine-based businesses, over the years, the Caddell Dry Dock and Repair Company has watched as nearly three dozen New York shipyards closed one by one. Today, the dry dock employs 200 workers: shipwrigh ts and caulkers, machinists and electricians, carpenters and welders among others who service approximately 300 vessels a year. The company represents the great American story-immi grant shipyard worker seeks work in New York, starts his own company, leads it to success and growth, and over the years passes it down
School of the Sea by Stephen Richardson This book is based on diaries written by the author while in the British Merchant Navy from 1937-46. It fills a gap in maritime literature about World War II, which emphasizes danger, excitement and drama. School of the Sea captures many aspects of daily life at sea and in port. It also tells of occasional terrifying episodes of air raids, ships sunk in convoy, and being torpedoed.
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