Author: Liardet, Captain Francis [1798 - 1863]
Title: PROFESSIONAL RECOLLECTIONS On POINTS Of SEAMANSHIP, Discipline, &c
Description: Portsea / London: William Woodward, Common Hard / Longman and Co, 1849. 1st edition. Original publisher's blue cloth binding with gilt stamped title lettering to front board. Pale yellow eps. [6], viii, [2], 317, [5] pp. One page publisher list at rear. Frontispiece depicting "H.M.S. Cleopatra endeavouring to save the crew of the Brig Fisher in a sinking state." Chromo plate depicting divers signals "to be used in calm weather". 8vo. 8-7/8" x 5-5/8". Spine sunned. Average shelf-wear, with a bit of fraying at spine panel ends. A VG copy. Fascinating guide to the professional workings of a ship of war, dictated by a Royal Navy officer who had been blinded by the "untimely explosion of a rusty old four-pounder" while preparing for a Maori attack in New Zealand. Prior to that accident, Captain Liardet had seen active service in the War of 1812, in the West Indies (where he "destroyed several nests of pirates on the coast of Cuba, captured nine of their vessels, some of their prizes, and a slaver"), on the South American station, and lastly with Napier at Acre where he was in command of the commodore's flagship Powerful of 84 guns. [ODNB]. The volume a trove of nautical know-how, with saltwater sagacity on every page: Anchoring with guns; Anchoring on a lee-shore, and cutting away masts; On using snatch blocks; On boats being sent to tow vessels when on fire; Bathing; On disrating petty officers; Exercising midshipmen aloft; Futtock shrouds; Firing bow-guns when in chase; Light houses; How to kill the augur-worm; Discipline (Drunkenness; On officers smoking; etc.); On touching hats; The dirty work of a ship; etc. etc.

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