Overview

At the outbreak of World War I, Britain's maritime industries still dominated the world. The British merchant fleet was by far the largest in the world, the nation's shipbuilding output eclipsed all rivals, and British ports were busy and expanding. By 1990, British shipping was a shadow of its former self, shipbuilding seemed on the verge of total collapse, and although the ports had been modernised, trade was concentrated at only a few of them. For almost four centuries, these industries had been of vital importance to Britain's wealth and power, but by 1990, politicians scarcely gave them a second thought.

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9780859897280

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Reviews

“The book covers ground which lacks serious analytical discussion at this length.  Jamieson explores the reasons for Britain’s maritime collapse after 1918 . . . it should be welcomed by those still involved with the industries concerned, and in the governments which played such an important role in this decline after 1918—chiefly by doing nothing!” –Professor Gordon Jackson, University of Strathclyde--Gordon Jackson

This is a significant and original contribution to the field of maritime history. There have been a welter of single industry studies and company histories-many of excellent quality-but there is no work which draws all of these elements together. This is a serious, synthesised account of how and why Britain lost its position as the world's leading maritime power. -Dr. Lewis Johnman, University of Westminster and co-author with Hugh Murphy of British Shipbuilding and the State Since 1918 (University of Exeter Press, 2002) -- Dr. Lewis Johnman

Author Information

Alan G. Jamieson is Leverhulme Research Fellow in British Maritime History in the Centre for Maritime Historical Studies, University of Exeter.

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