Sealink & Before - Hardcover

John Hendy was raised and educated in Dover and grew up within the sight of some of the finest short-sea vessels ever built. He published his first ship history in 1965 and since then has written extensively about the industry. In 1996, John was awarded a Masters degree by the University of London for his thesis which has since been published as Ferry Port Dover.Taking early retirement from a career in teaching, he is now able to devote more of his time to writing and lives with his wife on Romney Marsh in Kent. Justin Merrigan grew up close to Dublin Bay where the activities surrounding Irish Sea ferries became a fascination. A career in the ferry industry was an obvious choice and resulted in his emigration to Tasmania in 2000. During his ten years with fast ferry builder Incat he travelled extensively around the world further developing his wide knowledge of the ferry industry. He has written many shipping books and in particular the Sealink operations of his childhood has become his specialist subject. Bruce Peter is a Reader in Design History at The Glasgow School of Art, where he lectures on a broad range of subjects. He is a graduate of The Glasgow School of Art, The Royal College of Art and of the University of Glasgow. His research interests address modern architecture and design and their relationships with popular culture, mass leisure and transport environments. He is the author of numerous books about these subjects and has appeared in several TV documentaries.

These three authors bring together an extensive collection of photographs of ferries operated during the nationalised years of British Railways/ British Rail from 1948 until 1984. From the classic steamers to the modern motor vessels, each ship is illustrated with an extended caption. The fleets operated by the French, Belgian and Dutch partners are also included. The book includes features on the cargo and train ferries, estuarial and lake operations, Scottish vessels on the Clyde and the Western Isles, tugs and work boats and the ports, harbours and marine workshops.