Publisher's Synopsis
With the introduction of steam and the development of early paddle steamers or "flappers" as the Americans called them, new problems of ship handling were encountered which required a specialized form of seamanship. This work seeks to discover, principally by the examination of the evidence in logs of several ocean-going steamers, just how the owners and seamen of the day contrived to make these vessels seaworthy and weatherly.;In extreme conditions, paddle-wheel propulsion was often found inadequate and control of the ship only maintained with the help of sails. Sails also instilled passenger confidence, for breakdowns did occur, and were in fact vital to the success of the voyage by reducing fuel consumption and increasing speed. Masts and yards did, however, slow the steamer in strong headwinds and extra crew were needed to handle the canvas. Furthermore, by the end of the passage, paddle-wheel immersion was less efficient and the reduced stability adversely affected sailing performance. The solutions to all these problems form the core of the book, and it provides a picture of how the well-established traditions of the sailing ship were adapated to promote the development of the paddle ships and early screw vessels on the inhospitable seas of the North Atlantic.
