SHIPBREAKER EXTRAORDINAIRE: Harry Pounds of Portsmouth

Chronicles the Pounds family business, which ranged from shipbreaking to selling war-surplus military vehicles. Reveals how naval relics became ferries, museums, and everyday marvels through a history of transformation and resilience. Explains the origins of breaking up German U-Boats, and how they went on to be able to secure naval shipping ranging from Royal Navy submarines and frigates down to unusual dockyard vessels and landing craft. The emphasis of the business turned to ship trading -- landing craft might be resold to become ferries, minesweepers turned into Mediterranean pleasure craft, and lightships converted into floating restaurants. Vessels that could not be sold lingered in the yard for many years, but Pounds were also alert to the historical significance of the craft in their possession, some of which were donated to heritage organizations for long term conservation. Contains 100 color and 100 mono illustrations.