Winner for the 9th Karl Kortum Maritime History Award
This great maritime history book results from Olaf Engvig's affection for historic ships and boats, the U.S. Pacific Coast, and his Scandinavian roots. Explore with him how the so-called Scandinavian Navy's lumber schooners and seamen were instrumental in developing the United States' western frontier by providing lumber to build cities. He passionately tells the varied and unique stories of the restoration and preservation of the WAPAMA, and his personal drama over decades of saving the VÆRDALEN. The book also discusses the use of iron in ship building, a subject he detailed in his Viking to Victorian: Exploring the Use of Iron in Ship Building hardcover book.
The Ships That Built the West: The Scandinavian Navy, WAPAMA and VÆRDALEN includes images, both in color and black and white, most of which have not previously been published.
Learn about the Scandinavian sailors, ships and some of their challenges in hauling lumber for the West Coast, plus an in-depth look at the challenges of ship preservation. Hardcover, color, 195 pages, index, ISBN 978-1-5323-1333-2.
Legends in Sail is a beautifully illustrated book detailing the history of legendary ships whose reputation will live forever. They traveled worldwide, and gained fame for many reasons. Education, expeditions, film and adventure are key words in their saga. These ships set unbeatable records and helped discover the last unmapped areas of the planet. Even to this day they inspire all who seek challenges and new exciting adventures.
You'll start by learning about Roald Amundsen's 69 foot sloop GJØA that took Amundsen and his 6 man crew on their 3-year arduous journey of discovering the Northwest Passage. The ship then spent time in San Francisco where it enjoyed celebrity starting in 1906, and then a terrible decline from vandalization, fire and general neglect. Budgets, politics, historic concerns and pride eventually lead to the return of GJØA to Oslo, Norway in 1972.
More than 8 other historic ships are brought to life, including STATSRAAD ERICHSEN, CHRISTIANIA, TRANSATLANTIC, CHRISTIAN RADICH, LANCING, LINGARD, FRAM and MAUD.
The two main ships and the longboat presented in Viking to Victorian: Exploring the Use of Iron in Ship Building were built in the early and mid-1860s. This was a time when things we now take for granted had not yet been invented. Iron was key to this development. Simple steam engines, iron rail and steamships had been introduced, but almost all other inventions we now view as old still belonged in the future.
Viking to Victorian is a handsome four-color first edition, printed on art gloss paper. Contact us about personalized signed copies, or for special pricing on multiple copies.
Learn more information, including book reviews about Viking to Victorian! 2006. Hardbound, four colors, letter format, 176 pages, index, ISBN 0-9655451-6-4. This book is an important addition to any private collection or library of historic or maritime books. It's an excellent gift.
2020
THEMO Publishing, Ventura
212p, fully illustrated, hardcover.
2018
THEMO Publishing, Ventura
195p, fully illustrated, hardcover.
2018
THEMO Publishing, Ventura
190p, fully illustrated, hardcover.
2013
THEMO Publishing, Los Angeles
256p, fully illustrated, hardcover.
2012
Pirforlaget, Norway
223p, color, hardcover.
2008
352p, bw ill., hardcover.
2008
St. Hallvard, Norway
2008
260p, letter format, color, hardcover.
2006
THEMO Publishing, Los Angeles
176p, four color, hardcover.
2000-2005
Viking Heritage Magazine, Sweeden
1999
St. Hallvard, Norway
1998
THEMO Publishing, San Francisco
out of print
1997
Fish Club, San Francisco, 192p, ill.
out of print
1982
Norges Sjøkartverk, Stavanger
1981
Gyldendal Norsk Forlag, Norway
1978
Adresseavisens Forlag, Norway
1977
Adresseavisens Forlag, Norway
1976
Gothenburg University, Sweden
1973
University of Oslo
1972
University of Oslo
1970 - present
Several hundred articles and book chapters in Norwegian, English, American, Swedish, French, Dutch, and Canadian publications.