Edited by John Stedman and Sharon Collins
Portsmouth has had a greater variety of ferry services, to a wider variety of destinations, than anywhere else in Britain. This superbly-illustrated booklet tells something of the history of the city's ferries through the memories of 31 people that worked or travelled on them between 1935 and 2004. It takes a different approach from most ferry histories, focusing on the workforce in all its variety - seamen, catering staff, office staff, engineers and those on shore who ensure the boats are berthed and discharged safely and promptly. Through their words, in extracts from interviews they recorded, it gives a vivid picture of what it takes to provide such extensive services and how the experience of working 'on the boats' changed last century.
The booklet is based on an oral history project run jointly by Portsmouth Museums and Records Service, University of Portsmouth and Portsmouth Royal Dockyard Historical Trust and was supported by The Heritage Lottery Fund.
