NEW BOOK REVIEW

THE HISTORY OF RADIO OFFICERS
by Joanna Greenlaw

A fews days ago Joanna, a former Wireless College student (1940-41) who also attended the 2002 WC reunion, launched her new book entitled ''The History of Radio Officers in the British Merchant Navy and On Deep-sea Trawlers'' at the Maritime Museum, Swansea.

We all hope the book does well for her.

Dahdedah

The Merchant Navy Radio Officer, known to generations of seafarers as 'Sparks', was as integral a part of life on board as the ship's engine room or funnel. He (and later, she) provided the channel for orders, weather reports and private messages, and when disaster threatened, was often the only means of attracting help. If the tradition of the sea meant that the captain was the last to leave his ship, then the Radio Officer was usually the last but one. The nickname 'Sparks' was inevitable from the time that the first Radio Officer thumped away at a Morse key, producing the raspy note and hiss of electrical energy as blue sparks and the smell of ozone radiated from the silver plated spark gap at the heart of his occult contraption. Today, the advent of satellite communication has rendered the Radio Officer with a Morse key as extinct as the Brontosaurus. He has passed into marine history like the lamp-trimmer on a sailing ship or the donkeyman on a steam tramp, along with his world of dots and dashes, SOS messages and telegram forms. And his or her contribution to life at sea in war and peace deserves to be recorded for posterity.

About the Author

Joanna Greenlaw spent her childhood in Northern India where her father joined the Indian Civil Service in 1905, a character out of Kipling rather than "Jewel in the Crown". Joanna, who is a chartered engineer, spent twelve years at sea in the Merchant Navy, later progressing through various shore appointments within the marine company which employed her to become the divisional manager in charge of operations, sea and shore staff, and training. Her interests include marine historical research, antiquarian horology, painting and foreign travel, including visits to North America to lecture on Swansea Clocks. In 1994 she spent three months in India, driving by road from Bombay to the Northern Punjab, subsequently visiting Kashmir.
1996 found her again in India and Nepal, and trekking in the Annapurnas. Since then she has written The Swansea Copper Barques and Cape Horners and her researches have taken her again to France and California.


ISBN : 1-904323-01-4.
Price: £19.95.

PRESS RELEASE
South Wales Publishers Launch Historic Book

Carmarthenshire publishing company Dinefwr Publishing have released their first major book in 2002, and have chosen, because of its importance, a seminal and definitive work by Joanna Greenlaw entitled ‘THE HISTORY OF THE RADIO OFFICER IN THE BRITISH MERCHANT NAVY AND ON DEEP SEA TRAWLERS.’ 

The Radio Officers in the Merchant Navy, known to generations of seafarers as ‘Sparks’ was as integral a part of life on board as the ship’s engine room or funnel. He (and latterly she) has passed into history like a lamp trimmer on a sailing ship or the donkey man on a steam tramp. It was a contribution to life at sea in war and peace that deserves to be recorded. 

The book is profusely illustrated with considerable material made available by the Marconi Company archives, and others, much of it published for the first time. It commences with the story of Guglielmo Marconi’s first viable means of communication at sea by wireless, and takes the reader through the entire story of wireless at sea, with special reference to the contribution made by Radio Officers o the safety of life at sea, often at the cost of their own lives.

 His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, who has written a foreword, which particularly pays tribute to the contribution made by Radio Officers to the Merchant Navy, has endorsed the book.

 Dinefwr Publishing’s Managing Director, Emyr Nicholas is excited by the firm’s latest venture: ‘this is a story that has to be told, and we are proud to be associated with Joanna Greenlaw in this important landmark in marine literary history. She has also published ‘Swansea Clocks’ and ‘Swansea Copper Barques & Cape Horner’s’ both of which have brought her international acclaim.

 Priced at £19.95 and available from the publishers by phoning 01269 851024 or online at www.dinefwrpress.com under publishing catalogue.

 For further information on this press release:
David Nicholas, Marketing Consultant, Dinefwr Publishing, 01269 850953
0r email nicholas@msurf.net.

 

.....More Recommended Reading

Auckland Radio, Alpha and Omega

You might be interested to know that an ex long-term employee of ZLD has published a book on the History of ZLD / VLD / ZLF / ZLXA. It is called "Auckland Radio, Alpha and Omega". This is no minor work - it is 187 pages long and contains an estimated 350 photographs. (Copies of the above book are now available from the author - Doug Morris 5 Woodside Rd, Henderson, Auckland 1008, New Zealand. The cost is NZ$30, plus approximately NZ$20 postage. Doug's email address is doug.zl1qg@xtra.co.nz

Please tell Doug where you saw this information !


The Spirit of Colwyn Bay 2

The 20th Century in Photographs - By Eunice Roberts & Helen Morley


Over 325 Photographs of Colwyn Bay  for you to Enjoy. (Including many former 
WC students - check out the dust cover!).

The Wireless College was please to assist by providing photographs gathered from all most all corners of the Globe. 
See the Wireless College Chapter - page 108-117 
& Demolition for A55 Expressway - page 178-192 and especially pages 182-184 
(but have the tissues ready..)

ISBN 1-84306-087-6

Synopsis - Amazon
A fascinating collection of c.300 photogaphs taken throughout the 20th century depicting social & cultural events including the May Queen Carnival, Eisteddfodau and the Abbey Players. Chapters showing shops, hotels and street scenes from Old Colwyn to Rhos on Sea. Featuring both little published and entirely unpublished material with photographs of buildings recently demolished such as the Rhos Abbey Hotel and Penrhos College. A chapter entitled 'Beside the Seaside' looks at the promenade, piers and entertainment during the early part of the last century.

Any More ?