Small Craft

Late 19th & Early 20th Century British Yachting

A History of Early British Yachting

I am a student of late 19th and early-to-mid 20th century British yachting. My interest lies primarily with smaller craft and the cruising stories and experiences published within the pages of The Yachting Monthly and similar magazines—as well as in many books—by a loosely-knit fraternité of primarily British (but certainly also some Irish) artists and authors. These include Donald Maxwell, Charles Pears, E. Keble Chatterton, Arthur Watts and many more. More than a decade research has led to a considerable library of source materials and minor excursions into indirectly related topics. This site serves as a point of reference for those interested in what I learn and write about—hopefully it will be of interest and use to you.

My interest has also expanded into a specific niche of World War One Royal Navy history, really between the years 1913 and 1925 since it includes the post-Armistice occupation of the Rhine as well. I've created a separate site to explore this period and the role of amateur yachtsmen serving with the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) aboard the Elco Motor Launches of the Royal Navy's Auxiliary Patrol.

Additionally, as we approach the centenary of the beginning of the First World War, I have two books in the works. One is a transcription and annotation of the diaries of a Captain of the Royal Navy before and during the war, the other an account of the Royal Navy's presence as part of the British Army of Occupation at Cologne, 1919–1926. More on these as publication approaches…

I've compiled an ever-growing list of books available through Amazon that pertain to my research topics of interest. If you find them interesting please consider purchasing them through my site. The small amount of revenue this generates helps to keep this site going.