Anthony Lane – författare

A history of the shipwrecks of Kent

A history of maritime Kent

Lightships guided ships of all nations past offshore reefs and sandbanks that posed extreme hazards to navigation where lighthouses could not be built. This book describes their design, construction and evolution over more than two centuries of service. Originally constructed from teak, they progressed through iron hulls to steel. Their lights burnt whale oil, colza oil, then paraffin before electricity provided the greatest brightness. Fog warnings were given by bells, gongs, reed horns and sirens before reaching maximum power with the diaphone, which could be heard up to 10 miles away. All these features, most of which resulted from major scientific and engineering advances made in the nineteenth century, are examined here.For hundreds of years lightships made the sea lanes around Great Britain far safer for navigators. Their history and development are well documented through the rare images and detailed information contained within this book.

The shores of south-east England, or more precisely those of Kent and East Sussex, have for at least two millennia been threatened by invading forces. Initially it was the Romans, who in turn were challenged by the Saxons. They were succeeded by the Vikings who penetrated to the very heart of the country, resulting in Cnut becoming King of England. William I landed at Pevensey in 1066 to bring the conquering Normans to these shores. Afterwards the French still raided and once they were dissuaded the Spanish and Dutch made various attempts, before the rise of the French again under Napoleon Bonaparte. The Victorian years brought relative peace until the start of the twentieth century heralded the threat from Germany. Throughout this history these shores have been continually attacked by the sea.Aside from these violent exchanges there have been welcome arrivals: St Augustine brought Christianity back to these shores and pilgrims flocked to Becket’s tomb at Canterbury. Relatively recently there has been an influx of sea bathers, with day-trippers and seaside holidaymakers causing seagirt fishing and farming communities to become resorts of considerable size. In consequence, as everywhere, this area has been invaded by the motor car.With fascinating images, Anthony Lane explores how this region has defended itself against these onslaughts as well as accommodating the demands of those wanting to spend time by the sea.

For more than 200 years the lightships moored close to the most dangerous sandbanks of the United Kingdom and Ireland gave warning to sailing ships, steamers and motor vessels of increasing speed and size. They did not stop every shipwreck, but by firing guns and rockets and giving directions to lifeboats they helped to save many people who otherwise would have perished.Anthony Lane explores conditions aboard these ships, exposed to all weathers, having to set sail and hope to avoid the adjacent hazard if they broke adrift, for they themselves had no motive power. In foggy conditions when their light could not be seen or the sound of their foghorn heard clearly, they frequently suffered collisions, sometimes superficial, sometimes severe. Although stationary and with watches and duties largely routine, the crew’s lives were far from mundane, particularly when new technology was installed. Unexpected events or visitors were not uncommon. Relationships were not always harmonious, but the men occupied themselves with hobbies when off watch. Some of their personal experiences are related here in addition to descriptions of the different ways they communicated with the shore.With rare and fascinating images, Anthony Lane brings the story of these ships up to date with the withdrawal of the crews and automation of the few remaining vessels.

The insights following the wake of the Human Genome project are radically influencing our understanding of the molecular basis of life, health and disease. The improved accuracy and precision of clinical diagnostics is also beginning to have an impact on therapeutics in a fundamental way. This book is suitable for undergraduate medical students, as part of their basic sciences training, but is also relevant to interested under- and postgraduate science and engineering students. It serves as an introductory text for medical registrars in virtually all specialties, and is also of value to the General Practitioner wishing to keep up to date, especially in view of the growing, internet-assisted public knowledge of the field. There is a special focus on the application of molecular medicine in Africa and in developing countries elsewhere.