Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Thanks Tim as that sounds great to hear and you can betcha that I will be watching for that one when it comes out sometime next year. I find it ironic though and it happens every year and bet on it to happen in 2015, after Christmas you will tons and tons of the books and dvds out about Great Lakes Shipping and other related items. Still hope to see some new and updated stuff in 2015 on the Edmund Fitzgerald since it is her 40th year of her sinking. Would also be interested in more books about fleet histories and hope to see one someday on the Oglebay Norton and Cliffs fleets! I know I have heard about each one as a "possible future project but, that's all I've heard so far is just talk!" Hope it happens and becomes reality someday as I would love to see a book done on each of these two fleets. Finally, how about a book on one of our favorites the Ryerson? Now surely that would be a top seller!

I just found out about a new book coming out called "Ship watching on the Great Lakes". The bad thing is it's release date is for May of 2015 so not in time for Christmas. The info came from a friend that gets updates from book publishers on new and soon to be released titles so it's pretty accurate. He did not know much about it but it sounds like something to check into.

Gentleman, Lake Superior Magazine's website also has a few books as well on their website if you are interested. Just do a search for their website and you should find it. They also have calendars you can purchase to but, they don't have too many boat pictures in it. However, I purchase the LSM calendars every year and they are great in my opinion. Good Luck and I too will keep an eye out and let you know if anything new pops up. Thanks again.

Thank you Dave, I think this is how I will l order them. Thanks to Denny also I have been to the Nautical Mind site before and they were the ones with the high shipping costs. I had no idea that the Westcott site had a store and I found a few things that I will be purchasing from them also. Thanks again for the help gentlemen, I will keep an ear open for anything new I hear about and let you know.

I have purchased all of Mr. Gillham's books directly from him from the listings on the Great Lakes Bookshelf page on the Boatnerd home page. His prices include shipping and I prefer to support authors directly since they do not make much money publishing specialty books on Great Lakes shipping.

Tim, I have gotten most all of the Gillham books through the years from the Nautical Mind Bookstore in Toronto, Ontario. I have had very good luck and success with them and have been now for just about 10 years or so. Yeah, I have to admit that the shipping cost is a little on the high side but overall I've had very good luck and service with them. Just do a search sometime on your PC for nautical mind and you should find it. If you search their website, under Skip Gillham you should see all of the titles that he has done and written in the past few years. You could also try contacting the J.W. Westcott Company in Detroit as they might have some of Gillham's books and it would be easier on the shipping charges since they are in the U.S. as well. As for videos, I have gotten most of mine from Plets Express, Southport Video and also from the Out of the Blue Productions. All are great and excellent DVDs and videos and highly recommend them to anyone. Just do a search on any of the video places I listed. Good Luck as well.

Denny, How do you find Skip Gillham books?. Do you get them in the US or go over the bridge?, The reason why I ask is i'm looking for a couple of his co-authored books and can not get them in the States. I have found them online but the shipping from Canada to US is as much as the book costs. The books i'am looking for are The Grey Ghosts of LLT and GRN and The Kinsman Lines. As far as videos go i'm just getting started on collecting them, but I did pick up two of them yesterday at Authorama. Darryl, I have not seen Luck of the Draw yet but will buy it when I do. Thanks...

Just bought "Luck of the Draw - The Mataafa Story." It chronicles the sinking of the SS Mataafa and the other ships that sunk in what became known as the Maatafa Blow, one of the strongest recorded storms on the lakes.

For those that don't know, the Maatafa was the ore boat that made it halfway into the Duluth piers in November of 1905, was mauled by a wave, and ended up sinking in front of downtown Duluth. Half the crew froze to death, and half were rescued. I remember the old folks telling me how the city built bonfires on the beach for the rescuers. Quite the catastrophe for its time, and all time I guess when you consider it is still referred to.

Because the hull was big, she was repaired and sailed many years. Outcomes included building Split Rock Lighthouse, etc., book appears excellent, I'm just starting it.

Hi Tim, I agree as it does look like it will be "slim pickings" this year on any new books and videos for Christmas. I have not seen very many new books or videos this year including any new books from Skip Gillham as I have huge collection of his books. In 2013, I got a lot of videos from Plets Express as they made quite a few new ones and this year I have not seen any by them. I was surprised to not see very many books and videos about the 1913 storm as I only got maybe one book from Goderich about that and maybe one or two videos is all. With 2015 being the 40th anniversary of the Fitz sinking, I am hoping there will be lots of new and updated books and videos about that next year. Guess we will have to wait and see on that one. About my book collection, yes I do have a very large collection along with quite a few videos as well. I am still trying to watch all of my Fitz videos and hopefully one more day and I should have them done. Thanks for your help.

Denny, I think it might be slim pickings this year on new books and videos. The only thing I've heard about is a possible up coming book about the Cleveland Cliffs fleet, and I don't know of a release date for it yet. I don't know how big your book collection is but luckily for me there are still a lot that I don't have yet. Hope you find something, I know how much I like getting books for gifts.

Hello boatnerds, just wondering if anyone can help me find or point me in the right direction as I need to know and find out if there are or will be soon at least any new Books or DVD Videos out this Christmas season on Shipping or Shipwrecks and Disasters anything related to shipping? I have not seen too many books or videos out and last year Plets Express had a few new ones to which I already got from Santa last year. Have not seen too many new things out this year and hoping someone might know of some new and good books or dvds? If you have any websites or links that would be helpful along with maybe some calendars and yes I know about Paul Beesley's calendars. Finally, looking also for a few new boat shirts with boat pictures and names on them. Sorry for so many questions just need some ideas and fast for Christmas coming up soon. Thanks in advance for any info and websites.