Dimensions
127 x 197 x 19mm
The wide, unbounded oceans of the world have always fascinated travellers, as have the restless port cities that connect land to sea. But has the romance that has always surrounded sea travel survived in an era of rationalised ports and sparsely crewed container ships?
Thornton McCamish sets out from London, one of the world's great maritime cities, in search of whatever remains of the rough-and-ready life of those who work and travel by water. In ports big, small, ancient, modern and deservedly forgotten he seeks for the world of sea dogs, old salts and adventure - and finds bad food, themed bars, model ships and prostitutes.
As he circumnavigates the Mediterranean and follows the ancient spice and slaver routes around Cape Horn and across the Indian Ocean to Kochi, he gradually finds that the mystery and menace of the oceans endure beneath and parallel to our globalised world.
'Supercargo' is a penetrating and wickedly funny study of a way of life and travel that refuses to die.