In the heyday of sea-borne travel and transport, the Clyde’s unique geographical situation allied to favourable socio-economic factors, gave it a head start in the world maritime affairs. Acknowledged as the cradle of steam propulsion in Europe, it remained at the leading edge of applied marine technology. Famed for the construction of both commercial vessels and private pleasure craft, these were frequently the subject of ship portraits paintings, commissioned by their proud owners, builders or captains. The story of Clyde shipbuilding is well recorded, as is the region's valuable contribution to the field of art in general. This volume, interweaves the personal details of the Clyde's ship portrait artists, with the detailed narrative of their ship paintings.

For the general reader, self explanatory labelled vignettes, selected from the paintings themselves, supply the essential terminology. recognition of the artists, favoured backgrounds along the Clyde's complicated coastline is aided in similar fashion.

For the cognoscenti there is some additional material on the internationally renowned Robert Salmon, the first detailed account of his well known successor William Clark, and accounts of other marine artists, currently less well recognised.

For newcomer and initiated alike, it represents a well illustrated account of the region's 19th century marine artists and their works. Well worthy of preservation and careful study they remain as lasting memorials to the rich maritime heritage of the Clyde. (PRICES)