Otsing: 84995 (arhiveeritud tooted)

A deeply researched, well crafted biography of Admiral Sir Jock Slater, whose career culminated as First Sea Lord from 1995 to 1998. It illuminates pivotal moments in the evolution of British naval and air power during the late twentieth century. Reveals what made Slater one the most successful and longest serving admirals of the Cold War era Touches on Slaters relations with the Royal family Discloses previously unknown episodes in the making of British defence and naval policy Uses as primary sources the memories of those who took part in events, such as the making nuclear policy, the decision to send women to sea, the end of the gay ban, UK-Russia relations and the establishment of British Maritime Doctrine This book will appeal to anyone interested in naval history. Autorid: Peter Hore

The 50-mile wide lagoon of Truk Atoll, far out in the remote expanses of the Pacific, is quite simply the greatest wreck diving location in the world. Scores of virtually intact Japanese WWII wrecks of transport ships, still filled with cargoes of tanks, trucks, artillery, beach mines, shells and aircraft, rest in the crystal-clear waters of the lagoon along with two Japanese destroyers and a submarine each now a man-made reef teeming with sea life. This book takes you there. The islands of Truk Atoll once housed a large airbase and were the main forward anchorage for the Imperial Japanese Navy. On 4 February 1944, a long-range U.S. reconnaissance flight revealed the lagoon to be full of ships. Sensing danger the Japanese Navy scattered. But the merchant ships remained, as crews rushed to offload their cargoes. Meanwhile, other heavily laden supply ships continued to arrive from Japan The attack came at dawn on 17 February 1944, precipitating one of the largest aerial dogfights of WW II. Eventually, air superiority over the islands was achieved and U.S bombers spent two days sinking all the large ships trapped in the lagoon. These sunken ships, with their war cargoes, were largely forgotten about until 1969, when Jacques Cousteau located and filmed many of the wrecks. The resulting TV documentary, Lagoon of Lost Ships, went viral. Truks secret was out and the beautiful wrecks, untouched since WWII, have proved an irresistible lure for thousands of divers each year since then. Autorid: Rod Macdonald

This under-documented expedition was a pivotal moment in the annals of polar exploration and was the starting point, in historical terms, of revealing the great unknown continent of Antarctica. It was the first time in nearly 70 years since Captain James Cook had circumnavigated Antarctica, that a Royal Naval voyage of discovery had ventured so far South. They set a new furthest south record in the process beating the one set up by James Weddell in a whaling ship in 1823. The expedition set sail from Greenwich in 1839. It consisted of two wooden sailing ships commanded by Captain James Clark Ross and Commander Francis Crozier. The ships were manned exclusively by Royal Naval personnel and each ship had a complement of 64 men and officers. Their primary task was of a scientific nature to study the Earths magnetic field and build up a set of results that could provide a greater understanding of the effects of magnetism on compasses and their use in navigating the worlds oceans. This voyage had a set of planned targets and all were accomplished. In the process a vast amount of scientific information was collected. Many exotic places were visited during the voyage amongst them Madeira, St. Helena, Cape Town, Kerguelen Island, New Zealand, Australia and the Falkland Islands but the pinnacle was the discovery of the Ross Sea, the Ross Ice Shelf and the mighty volcanoes of Erebus and Terror (named after the two ships). The crews experienced the dangers of navigating in ice-strewn waters and narrowly escaping being crushed by icebergs. Illness was kept at bay although several lives were lost due to accidents. It would be another 60 years before the scenes of their greatest discoveries were visited again and then the Golden Age of Discovery was ushered in with the likes of Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen. Autorid: John Knight

This entertaining and informative book will be of practical benefit to all who discover the historic Union Canal and the Forth & Clyde Canal, whether walking, cycling, boating or visiting the Falkirk Wheel or the Kelpies. The canals are for fun, whether on the water, on the towpath, walking or cycling or just visiting. The canals can be enjoyed at any season. In winter, with the trees leafless, the views are more extensive and there is less traffic on towpath or waterway. In high summer the green world of trees is almost overwhelming, the banks crowded with sweet reed grass, meadow sweet, willowherbs, vetches and many spreads of yellow waterlily, a real Wind in the Willows world. In autumn there are brambles to be eaten, in spring the returning wildlife spree, with swans nesting and swallows swooping. The canals are a scenic treat and will repay many visits or a dedicated holiday challenge. Canals Across Scotland provides detailed towpath information, suggests what to see and do along the way and in the towns passed. The book is full of fascinating historical background, knowledgeable descriptions, practical information, good stories and is beautifully illustrated.Side trips to the Antonine Wall, which stretches from the Firth of Forth to the Firth of Clyde, country parks or to towns like Linlithgow, Falkirk, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch, often by circular walks, are also described. The canals are for leisurely, timeless exploring and this updated guide will be an essential companion. Autorid: Hamish Brown

This book is a softback reprint of the popular hardback, Horse Welfare: Use not Abuse and is dedicated to the protection of horses, ponies and donkeys and is based on first-hand international experience from a lifetime spent with horses hunting, racing and welfare whether with The Pony Club, The Jockey Club or international horse charity. It covers all equines to the highest levels of performance racing, show jumping, eventing and endurance riding and encourages all owners to care for their animals. Horses are beautiful animals that can work with their owners to the best effect; it is only right that they should all be cared for with respect so that the partnership is equal, one of working together and free from abuse. Christopher also looks at the world of working horses, donkeys and mules in the developing world, where they are often the only means of transporting people and goods, provide the only power to work the land and are essential for their owners survival. He calls for them to be given closer attention and care and that training is given to the owners who may not be aware of how to care properly for their animals. He also writes about people in equestrian sports both nationally and internationally and the work of the major charity World Horse Welfare of which he was chairman, calling on his role as a leading regulator and lifelong horseman. He held one of the highest profile jobs in the Jockey Club, steward in charge of enforcing the rules of horse racing and provides an insight into the high stakes world of racing where winning is everything. But whatever the activity or level, readers will be aware that horses are the real stars. Autorid: Christopher Hall, Roly Owers