Edward Blackmore - Master Mariner and associate of the institution of Naval Architects in 19th century England - dedicates himself to one of the most interesting and important sections of British maritime history: the Mercantile Marine. Founded upon a series of papers written for the Shipmasters' Society of London, the book describes in detail the rise and progress of British shipping and commerce, the education of the Merchant Officer, and duty and discipline in the Merchant service."This littele book does not, of course, pretend to be in any way exhaustive of the history of the British Mercantile Marine; nevertheless, it is hoped that it will afford a sufficient outline of its past and present to be both interesting and instructive to those who care to know anything of the rise and progress of our Merchant Navy."Reprint of the original edition from 1897.