Books for the Boater in Your Life

Name: Pirates of Colonial Newport
Brand: Gloria Merchant
SKU: 9781626192508
Price: 21.99 USD
Availability: InStock

If your favorite boater already has a captain’s hat, a Yeti cooler, and the “My Other Car is a Boat” bumper sticker, maybe a fascinating nautical narrative will be the perfect catch. Books on boats of all kinds are here – from house boats to America’s Cup yachts, and fishing boats to luxury ships. Or, navigate the history of famous sports and infamous pirates. Gift the gift of a great sea yarn to the boater in your life.

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Pirates of Colonial Newport

$21.99

Lost Maine Coastal Schooners

$21.99

The Piscataqua Valley in the Age of Sail:

$21.99

The New England Mariner Tradition: Old Salts, Superstitions, Shanties and Shipwrecks

$19.99

Herreshoff Yachts

$21.99

Hand-Crafted Boats of Old Currituck:

$21.99

Down East Schooners and Shipmasters

$21.99

Deer Isle's Undefeated America's Cup Crews

$21.99

The T.W. Lawson

$21.99

The Quest for the America's Cup: Sailing to Victory

$21.99

The Life and Times of Georgetown Sea Captain Abram Jones Slocum, 1861-1914

$21.99

The Last of the Fairhaven Coasters: The Story of Captain Claude S. Tucker and the Schooner Coral

$21.99

The Isles of Shoals in the Age of Sail:

$21.99

The America's Cup: Trials and Triumphs

$21.99

Stories from the Maine Coast:

$21.99

Samuel Smedley, Connecticut Privateer

Exploring Bull Island

$23.99

Chatham Sea Captains in the Age of Sail

$21.99

Boats Made in Holland

$21.99

Boatbuilding on Mount Desert Island

$21.99

Pirates of Colonial Newport

9781626192508

$21.99

Sail the seas and journey with Newport, Rhode Island's pirates beginning with war and ending with revolution that inspired swashbuckling legends for generations to come!

From 1690 to the American Revolution, many of Newport's fathers, husbands and sons sailed under the black flag. They would return home from plundering the high seas to attend church and serve in public offices. The citizens of Newport welcomed pirates with their exotic goods and gold to spend. The community changed its tune when Newport's prosperous shipping fleet was on the receiving end of piracy during the early 18th century. The locals who had once offered safe haven were suddenly more than pleased to cooperate with London's hunt for pirates.

Author Gloria Merchant delves into the fascinating history of Newport's pirates from Thomas Tew and Captain Kidd's buried treasure to the largest mass hanging of pirates in the colonies at Gravelly Point.

Lost Maine Coastal Schooners

9781596299566

$21.99

Large, wooden-hulled schooners graced the seas of coastal Maine for more than a century as vessels of trade and commerce. With the advent of steam-powered craft, however, these elegant four-, five- or six-masted wooden ships became obsolete and vanished from the harbors and horizons. The Edward Lawrence, the last of the six-masters, became her own funeral pyre in Portland Harbor, burning to ash before everyone's eyes. The Carroll A. Deering washed ashore with no trace of her crew, empty as a ghost ship except for three cats and a pot of pea soup still cooking on the stove. In this testament to the beauty of the Maine coastal region, maritime history enthusiast Ingrid Grenon tells the story of these magnificent relics of the bygone Age of Sail and celebrates the people who devoted their lives to the sea.

The Piscataqua Valley in the Age of Sail:

9781596292192

$21.99

In this complex and dynamic history, Russell M. Lawson navigates the story of the Piscataqua Valley from Martin Pring in 1603, through the turbulent Indian wars of colonial days, around the volatile American Revolution and into the smooth sailing of the nineteenth-century shipbuilding industry. In Dover, Durham, Exeter and the entire valley, Piscataqua played a major role in the foundation of the United States, all the while surrounded by the river's natural splendor.

The New England Mariner Tradition: Old Salts, Superstitions, Shanties and Shipwrecks

9781626192287

$19.99

For over three centuries, New Englanders have set sail in search of fortune and adventure--yet death lurked on every voyage in the form of storms, privateers, disease and human error. In hope of being spared by the sea, superstitious mariners practiced cautionary rituals. During the winter of 1779, the crew aboard the Family Trader" offered up gin to appease the squalling storms of Neptune. In the 1800s, after nearly fifty shipwrecks on Georges Bank between Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and Nova Scotia, a wizard paced the coast of Marblehead, shouting orders out to sea to guide passing ships to safety. As early as 1705, courageous settlers erected watch houses and lighted beacons at Beavertail Point outside Jamestown, Rhode Island, to aid mariners caught in the swells of Narragansett Bay. Join Robert A. Geake as he explores the forgotten traditions among New England mariners and their lives on land and sea."

Hand-Crafted Boats of Old Currituck:

9781626196483

$21.99

Before sleek factory boats dominated Currituck Sound, locals piloted these waters in hulls made by hand. Some still can be seen today--beautiful works of art designed for the utility of travel, fishing, hunting, scouting and touring. They figure prominently in recollections of a bygone sportsman's paradise, and native storyteller Travis Morris offers this engaging collection based on anecdotes, interviews and detailed craft descriptions. It's an insider's history of Currituck's boating heritage featuring the famed Whalehead Club, an accidental run-in with the Environmental Protection Agency and a harrowing U.S. Coast Guard rescue.

Down East Schooners and Shipmasters

9781609495145

$21.99

Nothing is more iconic of Maine than the image of a majestic vessel, masts raised, gliding through the fog on the dark North Atlantic. From the early days of the search for a Northwest Passage to the quest for the mysterious and illusive Norumbega, the history of Mount Desert Island, Hancock, Bar Harbor and the rest of the Down East area has always traveled on schooners. Now, in the twenty-first century, these ships and their heritage are being preserved, and Mainers are sailing aboard them once again. In this collection, author Ingrid Grenon presents the most important and incredible stories from the decks of Down East's schooners, revealing how these remarkable vessels and Down East Maine are tied together.

Deer Isle's Undefeated America's Cup Crews

9781609497286

$21.99

A thrilling tale fit for sailing experts and history buffs alike, historian Mark J. Gabrielson delivers the exciting tale of the Deer Isle Crew: a sailing story that offers an uncommon glimpse into American life at the turn of the twentieth century.

In 1895, emissaries from the New York Yacht Club traveled to Deer Isle, Maine, to recruit the nation's best sailors, an ""All American"" crew. This remote island in Penobscot Bay sent nearly thirty of its fishing men to sail ""Defender,"" and under skipper Hank Haff, they beat their opponents in a difficult and controversial series. To the delight of the American public, the charismatic Sir Thomas Lipton sent a surprise challenge in 1899. The New York Yacht Club knew where to turn and again recruited Deer Isle's fisherman sailors. Undefeated in two defense campaigns, they are still considered one of the best American sail-racing teams ever assembled. Read their fascinating story and relive their adventure.

The T.W. Lawson

9781596292086

$21.99

Armed with curiosity and a desire to piece together the story of the world's only seven-masted schooner, Tom Hall spent several years researching on both sides of the Atlantic, diving on the Lawson wreck and interviewing the relatives of those involved in the rescue efforts. The result of his work is the most complete account of the T. W. Lawson's story, ranging from her building and launch to her fated wreck off the Scilly Isles.

The Quest for the America's Cup: Sailing to Victory

9781609496340

$21.99

For over one hundred and fifty years, the America's Cup has been the premier prize as yachtsmen have been pitted against sailors from around the world in an effort to win this prestigious race. The race takes its name from the champion schooner America, which was created due in large part to the efforts of New York Yacht Club founder John Cox Stevens. Author Richard V. Simpson sheds new light on long-forgotten stories of the early quests for the coveted Cup. Among the notable yachtsmen profiled are Sir Thomas Johnstone Lipton, who earned a special award for being the race's best loser, and Ted Hood, who owned a sail-making company that developed the Dacron cloth from which the twelve-meter sails were cut. This history comes to life with exciting descriptions of the yachts, the races and the colorful personalities of those who longed to capture the greatest prize in yacht racing.

The Life and Times of Georgetown Sea Captain Abram Jones Slocum, 1861-1914

9781609497873

$21.99

Born at sea on his father's whaling ship in 1861, Captain Abram Jones Slocum learned the seafaring life in New Bedford, Massachusetts, as part of the last generation of iron men aboard commercial wooden sailing ships in the Atlantic. His voyages often took him around Cape Hatteras to Georgetown, South Carolina, to load lumber bound for northern cities. He sailed in all seasons, through storms and hurricanes, for twenty years as captain of two schooners, the Warren B. Potter and the City of Georgetown. He was respected in Georgetown, where he wooed his wife. His ship sank in a collision with an ocean liner in 1913, but he survived, only to be lost at sea a year later as captain of another schooner. Local author and wooden boat enthusiast Robert McAlister recounts Slocum's epic life through the end of the Age of Sail.

The Last of the Fairhaven Coasters: The Story of Captain Claude S. Tucker and the Schooner Coral

9781609499457

$21.99

From the early years of our nation, the coasting schooner served as the primary means of hauling the cargoes that fueled the country's growth. Several thousand of these coasters once existed, but by the late 1930s, relatively few remained. Among those still in operation was the coasting schooner Coral." Hailing from Fairhaven, Massachusetts, the "Coral" and her owner, Captain Claude S. Tucker, carried goods to ports throughout southern New England. The "Coral" hauled cargo into the twilight years of the coasting trade, long after new technologies began to replace it. Authors Robert Demanche, Donald F. Tucker and Caroline B. Tucker use first-person accounts of crew members and captains to trace the life of the "Coral" and Captain Tucker. Set sail to discover the story of the "Coral" through her glory days until the 1938 hurricane left her beyond repair, hastening the end of an era."

The Isles of Shoals in the Age of Sail:

9781596292031

$21.99

Off the picturesque shoreline of New Hampshire and Maine lie eight islands collectively known as the Isles of Shoals. Since the famous English explorer John Smith first set foot on them in 1614, the Isles of Shoals have experienced numerous changes. The once thriving fishing communities suffered many hard years before and after the American Revolution. Since the 1800s, the Isles of Shoals have been revived as a place where travelers, artists and writers can find inspiration and relaxation. The austere beauty of the rocky shores has influenced such notable figures as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Childe Hassam, Sarah Orne Jewett and the poet laureate of the islands, Celia Laighton Thaxter, as well as lesser-known fishers and fishwives, sailors and visitors of the past and present.
In this volume, Russell M. Lawson has evoked the fascinating history of the islands, from their discovery to the end of the nineteenth century. It is a must-read for all "Shoalers" who, like the hardy mariners and inspired artists of the past, follow the call of the sea to the Isles of Shoals.

The America's Cup: Trials and Triumphs

9781596293298

$21.99

America's Cup: Trials & Triumphs is a concise history of some of the most interesting of the international struggles for possession of the acclaimed Cup. But more than that, Simpson writes about the ingenuity and technical advancements made over the years in hull and sail design for swift oceangoing sailing yachts. Not satisfied by relating only the history of the America's Cup challenges and defenses, Simpson illustrates some of the interesting events that have changed commercial sailing into the popular sport of sailboat racing. A sport that was once the singular pleasure of wealthy barons of industry is now enjoyed by thousands of middle-class citizens from many nations with access to the sea. Also included in this volume are sailing techniques, maneuvers and useful nautical terminology.

Stories from the Maine Coast:

9781609492496

$21.99

The history of Maine has always been inextricably tied to its coastline. The sea first brought settlers, and the rich fishing and shipbuilding industries sustained growth. The Atlantic also connected Mainers to the rest of the world. Goods and ideas traveled the maritime routes that originated in populous Portland and more isolated places like Carver's Harbor and Deer Isle. From Searsport's sailing masters to the burning of Royal Tar, author Harry Gratwick relates the adventures of the skippers and their crews. Read about the search for the Smithy Boat and other tales from Maine's shipping lanes.

Samuel Smedley, Connecticut Privateer

9781609492281

$21.99

From the shores of Long Island Sound to the high seas of the West Indies, against British warships and letters of marque, Samuel Smedley left a stream of smoke and blood as he took prisoners and prizes alike. At twenty-three years old, Smedley, a Fairfield, Connecticut native, enlisted as a lieutenant of marines on the Connecticut ship Defence during the American Revolution. Less than a year later he was her captain, scouring the seas for British prey. Author Jackson Kuhl delves into the life and times of this Patriot, sea captain and privateer.

Nantucket Sound:

9781596296879

$21.99

An ancient fishing ground, vital shipping passage and final resting place for those unable to navigate its rocky shoals, Nantucket Sound--bordered by Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod and, of course, Nantucket--remains one of New England's most historic waterways. Here, the first rays of morning sunlight touch the United States before sweeping westward. In fact, the area's early inhabitants were called Wampanoag: People of the Dawn." From whaling culture and infamous shipwrecks to legends of Vikings, sea gods and John Smith, local author Theresa Mitchell Barbo unearths the stories hidden beneath these rough waves. At once unforgiving and generous, Nantucket Sound has seduced countless seafarers with its siren song but still overflows with diverse marine life."

Maritime Annapolis

9781596296596

$21.99

With fortunes that have ebbed and flowed with the tides, Annapolis has graced the banks of the Severn River and the Chesapeake Bay since the seventeenth century. Generations have worked the docks, sailed its waters and hunted for Chesapeake Gold--oysters--even as the city became home to a proud military tradition in the United States Naval Academy. Local author Rosemary F. Williams presents a vivid image of Annapolis with tales of violent skirmishes between the dashing Captain Waddell and crews of outlaw oyster poachers, the crabbing rage of the twentieth century, feisty shipwright Benjamin Sallier and the city's Golden Age of Sailing. Williams's fluid prose and stunning vintage images chronicle the maritime history of this capital city and reveal its residents' deep connection to the ever-shifting waters.

Exploring Bull Island

9781596290105

$23.99

Situated along the South Carolina coast between Georgetown and Charleston, Bull Island is not just any barrier island but has been described as the "crown jewel" of the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. Known for its matchless natural beauty, the human history of this isolated coastal isle has for the most part gone unexplored. Exploring Bull Island: Sailing and Walking Around a South Carolina Sea Island is at once a personal and informative narrative, as well as a guide to the natural wonders of this storied and often mysterious sea island. Embarking on a quest to sail the island's connecting waterways and walk the aging roads and trails accomplished sailor and nature enthusiast Bob Raynor set out to truly discover and understand the fascinating natural and cultural history of Bull Island. Armed with a keen eye for his surroundings, a natural curiosity to discover the unknown and his boat--the Kingfisher--Bob guides the reader through the natural and historical passages of this truly unique Sea Island.

Chatham Sea Captains in the Age of Sail

9781596294318

$21.99

Chatham Sea Captains in the Age of Sail chronicles the lives and adventures of twenty-five men who traveled the seas from the eighteenth through the twentieth century. These were extraordinary men--masters of navigation who charted paths from the Cape to the Far East with their regal clipper ships; deep-sea fishermen whose fearless spirit drove them to the Grand Banks and Newfoundland in the quest for their catch; and coastal captains who skirted America's eastern seaboard in pursuit of trade. Spurred on by the Industrial Revolution's demands, these mariners continued their pelagic exploration while pirates, privateers and Confederate raiders tested their mettle. The sea was both foe and ally. To meet the foe was the challenge; to sail her waters and return home as true masters was the force that drove these men to excellence.

Boats Made in Holland

9781467135337

$21.99

Author Geoffrey Reynolds explores the story of Holland, Michigan's unique legacy of maritime craftsmanship.

Holland's boat-building tradition took root in the 1840s, as Dutch immigrants crafted flatboats and watercraft for residents. Just a century later, the city's commercial boat-building industry flourished. The innovation of fiberglass-reinforced plastic changed the traditional structure of boats, revamped the industry and re-created the blueprint for U.S. pleasure boats following World War II.

The Roamer Boat Company's masterfully-welded sheet steel cabin cruisers led to the 1955 purchase by the Chris-Craft Corporation to create the Roamer Boat Corporation. Local craftsmen, like the Jesiek brothers, found the transition from furniture building to boat building seamless. But with the success of larger manufacturers, smaller boat shops declined.

Boatbuilding on Mount Desert Island

9781467118682

$21.99

Mount Desert Island possesses a rich and diverse history of boatbuilding. Chester Clement was the first of the "lobsteryacht" builders, and Bunker and Ellis elevated the concept. Henry Hinckley started on an old boat-repair wharf and built a world-class brand. Members of the Rich family produced everything from gleaming yachts to rugged workboats, while Sim Davis and Bink Sargent were considered the experts for big draggers. Author Laurie Schreiber highlights the histories of some of the major players in Mount Desert Island's boatbuilding community.