With a subject like shipping research, one never stops learning. Listed here are some worthwhile books and leaflets which give more detail about sources of information than is possible on this website.

Barriskill DT. A Guide to the Lloyd`s Marine Collection and Related Marine Sources at Guildhall Library.

Guildhall Library Research Guide 7. Guildhall Library [address], London, 1994.

A 60-page booklet packed with useful information about sources and methods of research. Although limited to the Guildhall Library`s holdings, this collection is so extensive that the booklet is relevant to research in many other libraries.

Bryon RV, Bryon T. Maritime Information: a Guide to Libraries and Sources of Information in the United Kingdom

Maritime Information Association, London, 1993.

An invaluable directory to 500 libraries and other bodies with maritime-related records or books, with brief descriptions of their holdings, contact and access details. A new edition is due to be published in 2003.

Haviland EK. `Classification Society Registers from the Point of View of a Marine Historian.`

In American Neptune, 1970 (January); XXX No. 1: 9-39

A valuable source of information on the dates of publication and coverage of various registers. Concentrates on registers available in the USA.

Mathias P, Pearsall AWH. Shipping: a Survey of Historical Records.

David and Charles, Newton Abbot, 1971.

First part lists well known British shipping companies giving a brief history and lists their surviving records. Second part lists local record offices with maritime records, which are mainly ships logs. Out of print and out of date.

Ritche, LA. The Shipbuilding Industry: A Guide to Historial Records.

Manchester University Press, Manchester, 1992.

Lists all known holdings of records concerning the once very extensive British shipbuilding industry.

Smith K, Watts CT, Watts MJ. Records of Merchant Shipping and Seamen.

Public Record Office Readers Guide No. 20. PRO Publications, Richmond, Surrey, 1998

A comprehensive guide to the extensive material held in the Public Record Office, with some references to material held elsewhere.

Lloyd`s Register Information Sheets

Available from Lloyd`s Register [address], these sheets cover a wide area of maritime research. Those of particular interest to users of this website are listed.

2. Registry of Shipping and Seamen
4. Useful addresses for historical research in North America
5. The history of international yachting and the America`s Cup
6. Useful addresses for research in Australia and New Zealand
7. The Honourable East India Company
8. Useful addresses for research in Ireland
10. Lloyd`s Register of Shipping: sources available to historical researchers
11. Maritime, antiquarian and specialist booksellers
24. Useful sources for genealogists
25. Sixty-four shares
26. Useful addresses for research in South Africa
31. Lloyd`s Register (a potted history)
34. Researching the earliest registers
44. Making a search using Lloyd`s Register of Ships
45. Lloyd`s Register/International Maritime Organization (IMO) numbers

Indexes to Sea Breezes

Published since 1919, Sea Breezes is the oldest British journal devoted to ships and the sea, and has published a wealth of articles on ships, seamen and owners, plus anecdotes and answers to queries. Three indexes have been compiled:

Shipping Company Histories and Fleet Lists in Sea Breezes between 1919 and 1990. Published by Mannin Media [address].
Vessels mentioned in Sea Breezes 1924-1939
Vessels mentioned in Sea Breezes 1946-1955

The last two are published by the compiler, HM Hignett, 15 Sherborne Road, Wallasey, Merseyside CH44 2EY.

Taking Research Further