Charts and Surveys in Peace and War : History of the Royal Navy's Hydrographic Service, 1919-70

Previous histories of the Royal Navy's Hydrographic Service take the story up to 1919.

This new publication, by a former hydrographer of the Navy, carries it forward to 1970 covering the period which included the introduction of the echo-sounder, the advent of rotary effect printing and electronic position fixing, and surveying sonar after the War.

The activities of the surveying ships and parties in the War are covered, as are the improvisations and achievements of the printers and cartographers evacuated from London to locations a diverse as Exeter and Armadale.

Also detailed are the ships used for surveying, from the minesweepers of 1919 to the purpose-built Hella and Bulldog classes of the late 1960s, with full illustrations.

Potted biographies of the Hydrographers and charge surveyors are included, together with tables showing the employment of the ships and their commanding officers.

Publication will coincide with the bicentenary celebrations of the RN Hydrographic service in June 1995.

The Royal Navy Museum in Portsmouth are to hold an exhibition starting in June, and will host a launch for the book on 21st June.