Wartime Standard Ships (Hardback)
In both World Wars there arose a pressing need for merchant tonnage both to supplement existing ships but, more importantly, to replace ships that had been sunk by enemy action, and the key to the Allied strategy in both wars was a massive programme of merchant shipbuilding. This need gave rise to a series of standard designs with increasing emphasis on prefabrication and a progression towards welded hulls.
This new book tells the remarkable story of the design and construction of the many types that not only contributed to their country’s war efforts, but were also responsible for a cultural change in world shipbuilding that would lay the foundations for the post-war industry. The story begins in the First World War with the National type cargo ships which were the first examples of prefabricated construction. The best known of all types of wartime standard ships, of course, were the Liberty ships and their successor, the better equipped Victory ships, both built in the United States. Some 2,700 Liberty ships were built and this incredible achievement undoubtedly saved the Allies from losing the War. In Canada, the Ocean and Park ships made a further major contribution. Germany and Japan also introduced standard merchant shipbuilding programmes during the Second World War and these are covered in detail. The many different types and designs are all reviewed and their roles explained, while the design criteria, innovative building techniques and the human element of their successful operation is covered.
Some of the story has been told piecemeal in a range of diverse books and articles, a few with extensive fleet lists. However, the complete history of the twentieth century wartime-built standard merchant ship has not previously been written, so this new volume recording that history within its appropriate technical, political and military background will be hugely welcomed.
This is a book which has been produced to high standards, and it makes very good use of its many fine illustrations. It succeeds in being technically detailed whilst being highly readable, and it leaves a resoundingly clear message about the importance of shipping to national security.Nautilus January 2018
Thoroughly recommended reading for cargo ship modellers and enthusiasts.Model Boats, December 2017 – reviewed by John Deamer
As featured inThe Oxford Times
I found this not just an interesting book to read but learnt a lot, including the German and Japanese standard ship programmes.Military Model Scene, Robin Buckland
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I was unaware of a standard merchant ship until this terrific book by Nick Robins landed in my lap. Essential reading for students of maritime history.Books Monthly
The author has a special interest in commercial ships of all types and he has put this experience to the subject of Standard Ships. There is a wealth of photographic illustration that strongly complements an able text – Most Recommended.Firetrench
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Although aimed primarily at those interested in wartime shipping, this book could well be of value to any merchant-shipping enthusiast. Modellers of ‘Emergency’ cargo ships could also find it of use. Finally (and despite the previously-mentioned ‘limitations’), for this reviewer it is in his (very rare), ‘Must have’ category.NZ Crown Mines
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich houses the largest collection of scale ship models in the world, many of which are official, contemporary artefacts made by the craftsmen of the navy or the shipbuilders themselves, and ranging from the mid seventeenth century to the present day. As such they represent a three-dimensional archive of unique importance and authority. Treated as historical evidence, they offer more detail than even the best plans, and demonstrate exactly what the ships looked like in a way that even the finest marine painter could not achieve. This book is one of a series…By David Hobbs
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