The Mariner's Trilogy

In the Ray Solly trilogy, Mariner's Launch, Mariner's Voyage and Mariner's Rest, the author brings alive a lifestyle which epitomised excitement and adventure during the 'golden age' of international shipping.

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Mariner's Launch = This story chronicles the growth of a youth, from naive 16-year-old to a mature young man, capable eventually of accepting the grave responsibilities entrusted to a watch-keeping officer on the bridge of an ocean-going ship. The reader follows his voyage escapades and sees him ambushed by pitfalls resulting largely from his innocence. Collectively these incidents capture the atmosphere of service as a navigating officer cadet in yesterday's Merchant Navy. Cargo handling and seafaring were then highly labour intensive. Ships were smaller in capacity and, with their forest of derricks, were constructed differently from today's clear-deck container and bulk carriers, but needed larger crews. Seamen nevertheless enjoyed a leisurely life, accepting as 'the norm' worldwide cargo delays and strikes, and having to invent their own unique brand of shipboard entertainment. With humorous touches, the author brings alive a lifestyle which epitomised excitement and adventure during this 'golden age' of international shipping, and where young people were expected to meet demanding everyday challenges. Mariner's Voyage - Extract from Foreword by John F.
Millican, Director, Warsash Maritime Academy, Southampton, UK ..Dr. Solly has very cleverly woven together a social history of seafaring in the post-war years...you discover just how well the author ...has captured the experience of being at sea...a wonderfully evocative read, and an important contribution to the history of the period. Mariner's Voyage is the second volume in a trilogy which offers a socio-historical and semi-autobiographical account of seafaring during the 1950-1970s, a 'golden age' of British shipping. It relates to a new generation the significant economic and social changes of the time, providing an insight into a way of life now overtaken by events. This story continues the adventures of Jonathan Caridia, the narrator in Mariner's Launch, and shows his continued professional and social growth. Written in an eminently readable style which encourages empathy with the narrator, the reader shares Jonathan's pride at leaving behind his cadetship and experiences his uncertanties when he joins his first vessel as Third Navigating Officer.
Jonathan impresses as a very real person encountering new challenges and some dramatic situations, which he handles responsibly and with increasing confidence. The reader learns how he confronts new challenges and handles his responsibilities, often conveying a laconic, dry sence of humour. Seafaring then was more leisurely than today, yet Mariner's Voyage is not only for veterans but is also a must for younger readers and all who enjoy rattling a good read. Seafarer's expectations today may have changed a little, although computerisation requires different skills, but going to sea will always be exciting. The sea remains a demanding and challenging taskmaster for those navigating vessels and does not suffer fools gladly. Mariner's Rest - This is the well-written account of Jonathan Carridia's final years at sea as a senior second and chief officer. He chronicles the events that led him to leave the sea before being confirmed in a period of temporary command and relates the gruelling interview processes before being accepted as a mature student.
Jonathan describes in atmospheric terms incidents in the Far East and the initial awe he experienced when joining a very large supertanker - the class of ship for which he had yearned since his early days as a cadet. Following a spate of serious accidents leading to loss of life and vessel, Jonathan's decisive role in questioning and challenging the casual approach to maritime practices current at that time is excellently portrayed...Once arrangements were confirmed I relaxed completely and savoured my final couple of voyages navigating this magnificent ship as extra chief officer...I remained convinced that 'swallowing the anchor' and venturing into a new career was the correct course for me to follow. The challenges of navigation and collision avoidance, plus the comradeship I had experienced at sea would truly be missed, but other than that I would leave the Merchant Navy without regrets. It was time to move on in life and doubtless carry a raft-load of diverse experiences and countless happy memories along with me.
Thus concludes the third in the maritime trilogy by Ray Solly which will be of special appeal to those who have already enjoyed Mariner's Launch and Mariner's Voyage.