The Isles of Scilly in the Great War

Description

The Isles of Scilly, five inhabited islands 24 miles west of Land's End, were of low priority to the War Department when the First World War was declared. With no manufacturing capability, no industry other than flower growing and agriculture, no electricity or gas, no mains water supply, no wireless station, and a population of only 2,000, the islands did have one feature in their favour their location. Sitting at the cross roads of six major shipping routes, Scilly had been a recognised 'ship-park' since 1300AD, where sailing ships anchored to safetly awaiting a suitable wind, to re-victual, pick up water or effect repairs.This book details Scilly's contribution to the war effort, with attention to its civilian population, the heartbreak of losing forty-five of its sons, and the trauma of countless seamen rescued from torpedoed ships. AUTHOR: Richard Larn OBE and Cornish Bard has earned a living from the sea since joining the naval training ship Mercury in 1944. Four years merchant navy as a cadet deck officer was followed by twenty-two years in the Royal Navy, including during the Korean War as a Chief Petty Officer Mechanician/Diver. Founder and MD of Prodive Ltd in Falmouth Docks, author of some fifty-eight non-fiction maritime books, shipwreck expert and now President of International Maritime Archaeological & Shipwreck Society, Richard lives with his wife, Bridget, on the Isles of Scilly. SELLING POINTS: . The first book to detail the forgotten work of the Royal Navy Auxiliary Patrol Station on the Isles of Scilly. . Details of the ships torpedoed around the Isles of Scilly, and the work of the RNAPS to save many other, as well as their hunt for German U-boats. . The development of the Royal Naval Air Station on Tresco and its work, plus the short lived Royal Navy Kite Balloon Station on St Mary's. . The effect the First World War had on the five small inhabited islands. . The human sacrifice in terms of local men killed on active service, and the countless number of men and bodies brought into the islands from torpedoed ships. . Contains many photographs not previously published. 100 illustrations

Richard Larn OBE and Cornish Bard has earned a living from the sea since joining the naval training ship Mercury in 1944. Four years merchant navy as a cadet deck officer was followed by twenty-two years in the Royal Navy, including during the Korean War as a Chief Petty Officer Mechanician/Diver. Founder and MD of Prodive Ltd in Falmouth Docks, author of some fifty-eight non-fiction maritime books, shipwreck expert and now President of International Maritime Archaeological & Shipwreck Society, Richard lives with his wife, Bridget, on the Isles of Scilly.