250 Years of Women at Sea

by Jo Stanley

Traditionally, a woman’s place was never on stormy seas. In fact thousands of dancers, purserettes, doctors, stewardesses, captains and conductresses have taken to the waves on everything from floating palaces to battered windjammers.

From before 1750 women fancying an ocean-going life had either to disguise themselves as cabin ‘boys’ or acquire a co-operative husband with a ship attached. Early pioneers faced superstition and discrimination. Today women captain cruise ships as big as towns and work at the highest level in the global maritime industry.

This book explores the Merchant Navy comparing it with the Royal Navy in which Wrens only began sailing in 1991. Using interviews and sources never before published, the author vividly reveals the incredible journey across time taken by these brave and lively women sailors.

This is a very well researched and well written book about a subject that is rarely, if ever before, covered. I would very highly recommend it.

Published by:
The History Press
The Mill
Brimscombe Port
Stroud
Gloucestershire
GL5 2QG
www.thehistorypress.co.uk

Paperback: 226mm x 246mm, 304 pp illustrated

Price: £20