British Steam Trawlers From Development to Demise

Although many books have been written about the trawling industry, most have been personal reminiscences or fleet and port histories. This one is different, however, in that it takes an analytical look at the ships themselves. The British steam trawler was conceived, evolved and disappeared over the span of a human lifetime. This work attempts to trace their development from the very early paddle tugs of the 1880s, to the large deep-water ships of the 1960s, through photographs and builders plans, many of which have not been published before. It leads the reader through steam trawler design, construction, operation and the ever present unacceptable cost in human life. It covers the builders, owners and trawling ports that were associated with these ships, most of which are now history. The book forms a detailed study of British commercial fishing trawlers and illustrates how ships designed and built by UK shipyards for both foreign owners and the Admiralty were to influence British owners.