Changes

The author "has always had a passion for the history of ships and seamen. [This] book maintains his exceptionally high standards of both research and writing. He writes very fluidly and, in this book, gives the reader a vibrant account of life at sea in the merchant marine between 1650 and 1775. Inevitably, the book contains a great deal of material about life on board the East Indiamen, who plied back and forth between England and the Far East and, because it does, it is well worth reading. Taken together with some of the older works on life aboard the East Indiamen, for example ''The memoirs of William Hickey'', Cotton and Fawcett's ''East Indiamen'' and Ann Maier's ''Free mariner'', researchers and the general reader will enjoy a comprehensive account of life on board these ships. Peter Earle's book is highly recommended." The full review is on p. 33 of [[FIBIS Journals |FIBIS ''Journal'' 1 (September 1999)]]

* Morgan, Richard

Richard Morgan's FIBIS Research Guide No 2 is in a class of its own. Information on various aspects of Marine Transport in Indian Waters is very fragmentary and it is a tribute to Richard's analytical powers and his assimilation of facts that a very worthwhile manual has been produced. This is yet another reference book published under the auspices of FIBIS and I [Lawrie Butler] have no hesitation in recommending the book to both members and the general public. Their time will be well spent. (Snippet taken from the Introduction)

* Pope, John Adolphus

The ships owned or chartered by the East India Company for trading in the far east have received a good deal of attention and much is known of their commanders and their voyages. What is not always realised is that they typically called at only about 4 ports in Asia: Bombay, Galle (Ceylon), Madras, Calcutta, and Whampoa in China. There were huge numbers of other independent British ships ("Country Ships") in the far east which provided a feeder service for other ports both within India and in surrounding countries (mostly what is now Malaysia and Indonesia). By great good fortune a first-hand account of one of these voyages has come down to us. John Adolphus Pope sailed on the Princess Royal 1786-8 and wrote letters describing the places he visited and people he saw. John was an intelligent 16 year old and his observations are sharp and well expressed, and bring alive as nothing else can this vital but under researched area of British/Indian trade. By further good fortune this important journal has been edited by Anne Bulley, who has done more than anyone to investigate this area. The book comes with a perceptive account of Country Ships and their trade and rounds off the story of John before and after his voyages. [reviewed by Richard Morgan, FIBIS trustee]

==East Indiamen (the ships of the HEIC)==