This is a photographic survey of the ships, seamen and ports of the west coast of England and Wales from the mid nineteenth century to the mid twentieth century. This period saw the most far-reaching changes in the history of seafaring and ships, and these photographs reflect many of the changes. Many different vessels are featured, including estuary sailing barges like the Mersey flats, schooners, fishing boats, steam coasters, tugs and all kinds of service vessels, together with the deep-sea vessels they served. Many different ports are illustrated. Most of the photographs have not been published before. About the author M. K. Stammers is Keeper of the Merseyside Maritime Museum, Liverpool, and is responsible for one of the largest collections of ships models, pictures and maritime artefacts outside the National Maritime Museum. Other titles for Shire by this author are: Tugs and Towage (currently out of print)