Poseidon's Progress - by Iver P Cooper (Paperback)

About the Book

"A ship is not just a mode of transport, it is a life support system. Ideally, it provides fresh air at a comfortable temperature and humidity, healthy food and drink, adequate lighting at night and below deck (but without setting the ship on fire or interfering with navigation), and sleeping and sanitation facilities. It must be kept dry and afloat. Provision must be made for disasters, whether that be a man overboard, or the ship itself sinking or running aground. Fires and contagious diseases must be fought if they arise. The quest to improve life at sea has progressed, albeit haltingly, on two parallel fronts. The first is analyzing the problems and finding and implementing scientific solutions. The second is by changes in laws and regulations so as to require healthier practices. This book, with a unique problem-solution format, examines the problems of life at sea and how they have been ameliorated."--

Book Synopsis

Nautical travel and shipboard living have evolved to be both safer and more comfortable for passengers and crewmembers. While some of these improvements have come about through sheer trial and error, others are the result of a careful analysis of problems, followed by finding and implementing scientific solutions.

This book, with a unique problem-solution format, examines the challenges of life at sea and how they have been ameliorated. It covers topics such as ventilation, healthy food and drink, sleeping quarters, sanitation facilities, internal and external lighting, seaworthiness, and survival of maritime disasters (man overboard, shipwreck, fire, and contagious disease). The text traces the history of the various attempts to address the difficulties of life on the water from a scientific, engineering and legal perspective.

Review Quotes

"I am thrilled beyond belief to be able to not only read but have an early peek at Poseidon's Progress ... This is a subject I have held near and dear to my heart for most of my of life...which has been spent at sea. The author tags upon many factors that determine the nature, actions, state of mind and overall life of living at sea. ... The author hits upon those things that can call a ship to its next port or send it to the bottom of the sea. Life at sea is hard. Both physically and mentally taxing. It is easy to overlook the importance those two factors alone can have on a successful voyage. Poseidon's Progress makes these points crystal clear. ... Well worth the read. My thanks to Mr. Cooper for allowing me the opportunity to read his book."-Library Thing

About the Author

Iver P. Cooper is a retired patent attorney and is an independent researcher in the history of science and technology. He lives in Arlington, Virginia.