Encyclopedia of Steamships Merchant Steamships 1798-2006

Publishers price Author John Batchelor & Christopher Chant Publisher Book Sales ISBN 9789036617208 Year 2007 Book Format Hardback Pages 294

Covering some 125 merchant ship types, The Complete Encyclopedia of Steamships: Merchant Steamships 1798-2006 covers the primary features between the first semi-steam-powered vessels used for experimental and tug purposes, up to the huge vessels of today, with diesel rather than steam propulsion. Between these two outer limits are the first transatlantic passengers ships, the great liners of the period between 1880 and 1960, and a host of other types such as the freighters and tankers which were so important in World War I and II.

These cargo ships or freighters, were specially designed and often outfitted with cranes or other mechanisms to load and unload. The general-purpose freighter has now been largely supplanted by the huge bulk carrier carrying vast quantities of things such as ore and food staples, the container ship is used to transport manufactured goods in truck-size containers, and the tanker has been built in a whole range of sizes for the movement of liquids such as crude oil, petroleum products, liquefied petroleum or natural gas, and chemicals.

There are also ships for single tasks such as lifting heavy items and roll-on/roll-off vessels for the delivery from their manufacturers to the world's market of vehicles and wheeled machinery. Another type that remains, in reduced number, is the coastal trading vessel. While the great transatlantic and ocean liners have now disappeared, there has been a surge in the numbers and sizes of cruise ships for pleasure travel, where the voyage itself and the ship's amenities are the core of the experience.