Modern Era Voyaging

Last Voyage – Ann Davison – First edition 1951

First edition of Ann Davison’s autobiographical account which ends in the most dramatic shipwreck and the loss of her husband.

An incredible individual, after all of this, she became the first woman to single-handedly sail across the Atlantic.

Published by Peter Davis, London, 1951. Octavo, 248 pages, two photographs of Ann and Frank … it was not that sort of adventure. Very good condition.

The Last Voyage begins with her earlier life as an aviator in the 1930’s delivering mail around the UK. She married Frank Davison a fellow aviator when they both worked at the Hooten airfield near Liverpool. They has a long held ambition for sailing and bought a run-down 70 foot ketch “Reliance”. Doing it up sent them broke and before the work was finished they sailed to avoid their creditors. They encountered incredible storms in the Channel and the Irish Sea … they foundered on the Portland Bill. Taking to their cork life raft they battled to survive and Frank died out of pure exhaustion ..

Now scarce and one of the most personal accounts we have read.

$35.00

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Innocent Aboard – Chay and Maureen Blyth – First Edition 1970

First edition published by the Nautical Publishing Company 1970. Octavo, 196 pages all in very good condition.

Chay Blyth’s first serious sailing expedition, setting off from England he was soon lost … and then got his bearings and sea legs. On south he sailed. Through the Canaries, Cape Verde Islands and to the far south and Tristan da Cunha before South Africa.

His boat was a small family cruiser, so his aspiration to cross and make the Horn had to be curtailed. Confident, he cabled his wife to join him for the return voyage … which she did.

His story won over Sir Alec Rose who provided a very supportive foreword.

Chay Blyth – first voyage and quite an adventure

$25.00

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The Sea Lark – Thomas Helm – First Edition 1957

A first edition published by George Harrap, London in 1957. Octavo, 222 pages, with end paper maps and illustrations from photographs taken during the voyages. Still has the scarce dust jacket albeit a bit chipped and repaired to top of spine. Otherwise a pretty good clean copy.

Helm, ex US navy, set off with his mate, Ed Booth into the Caribbean and Central America in the 47 foot schooner Sea Lark. Adventures ensue and not just at sea hence the image of a jaguar on a sailing book.

Written in a an usual story telling style … makes it quiet a treat.

Caribbean sailing Adventures with variety

$25.00

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The Penance Way – The Mystery of Puffin’s Atlantic Voyage – Merton Naydler

Published by Hutchinson, London a first edition 1968.

Octavo, 252 pages with end paper charts, photographic illustrations and diagrams. Nicely put together and a very good copy.

David Johnstone and John Hore lost their lives mid-Atlantic in 1966. The fifteen-foot Puffin was found upturned. Extraordinarily, Johnstone had left behind a 35,000-word journal … upon which this book is primarily written.

Courage and tenacity documented to the very end.

$25.00

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The Sea and Me – Humphrey Barton – First edition 1952

An unusual maritime book by Marine Surveyor Humphrey Barton. A first edition published by Robert Ross, London in 1952. Octavo, 142 pages nicely illustrated by John Chancellor. Very good condition.

Fourteen short accounts, all true, from all angles maritime. Involves the vessels Kittiwake, Lady Nanella, Jean II, Dauntless, Monie, Fulruna etc and a M.F.V. during the War

A super collection of nautical accounts – ideal for evening reading .

$25.00

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Around Cape Horn to Honolulu on the Bark “Amy Turner” – L.V. Briggs

Around Cape Horn to Honolulu on the Bark “Amy Turner”

Originally published in 1926 this classic sailing account is reprinted here by the Macdonald Maritime History Series, London in 1974.

Octavo, 186 pages, top edge blue, with images from photographs, charts, diagrams and embellishments as per the original. End paper maps. Bound in quarter morocco, gilt line and blue sailing ship motif clothe covered boards. Dust jacket torn to top, and tape mended. A paper wave at the bottom as if it has stood onboard for a time but nothing offensive.

The author Vernon Briggs was only sixteen at the time he left Boston for Honolulu. His observations and penmanship mature well beyond his years. Part journal part narrative Briggs learns sea skills fast and is also a keen observer of his surroundings and the abundance of natural history along the way … including the Amy Turner cockroaches!

Prized narrative onboard the Amy Turner.

$25.00

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Last Voyage – Ann Davison – First edition 1951

Innocent Aboard – Chay and Maureen Blyth – First Edition 1970

The Sea Lark – Thomas Helm – First Edition 1957

The Penance Way – The Mystery of Puffin’s Atlantic Voyage – Merton Naydler

The Sea and Me – Humphrey Barton – First edition 1952

Around Cape Horn to Honolulu on the Bark “Amy Turner” – L.V. Briggs

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