Historical Dictionary of the U.S. Maritime Industry

Blume (history, Albany Coll. of Pharmacy & Science; Historical Dictionary of U.S. Diplomacy from the Civil War to World War I) covers five centuries of maritime history and vessels, from 16th-century galleons to 21st-century supertankers. The preface is accompanied by a listing of acronyms and abbreviations and a chronology. The more than 400 cross-referenced entries that follow, which range from a few lines to half a page in length, describe companies, owners, ships, legislation, and the key features of overseas, coastal, lake, and river shipping. Wind-, steam-, and nuclear-powered vessels that have played important roles in U.S. economic history are also described. Four appendixes conclude the volume: "Significant Congressional Legislation," "Maritime Labor Unions," "Top 30 U.S. Ports in 2009," and "U.S. and World Fleets Since 1914."