Around the coast and across the seas : the story of James Fisher and sons

"James Fisher and Sons is one of the success stories of the British mercantile marine. Ever since its foundation in 1847, the firm has based its fortunes on the short sea and coasting trade although many of its vessels have also sailed to more distant destinations. The book shows how the early history of the firm and its founding family was entwined with the rapid development of Barrow-in-Furness as a port for the export of iron ore in the boom years of the second half of the nineteenth century. When Barrow went into decline as the twentieth century dawned, the firm lost its direction which was regained only with the arrival of the third generation of the family in the shape of Sir John Fisher. A prominent figure in the British shipping industry, he master-minded the fortunes of the business for nearly seventy years and his influence can still be felt today. The book describes not only the story of the ups and downs of the business, Barrow and the Fisher family but also of the contribution made by many others within James Fisher and Sons. [...] The book is well-illustrated, using not only maps and photographs but also numerous examples of the fine paintings held by the firm of Fisher vessels past and present.--Provided by the publisher.