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Alfred was born in Sunderland on 15" July 1884. He grew up living with his parents, and his younger brother William who was born three years later, in 1897. Their home was a modest terraced house in a fairly decent area of the town, and for his early education, he attended a "Penny-a-Week" School. Sunderland and Newcastle, at the time together formed the biggest ship building area in the world, and his father worked in the ship yards as a boiler inspector, checking the safety of boilers on the ships, and he was also a collector and dealer of machinery parts.

We don't know much more about Alfred's childhood except this tale of a summer holiday. When he was nine years old, he went by himself to visit his grandparents during his summer holidays. His grandfather John Learmond was head of the Customs in Cork, Ireland. Alfred was put on a train at Sunderland, under the care of the Guard, and transferred to the ferry to cross to Ireland, then took another train from Belfast to Cork. During this holiday he also travelled to Blarney Castle and kissed the famous Blarney Stone to give him good luck.

He certainly had that. After he left school, at the age of 14, he followed the family tradition and became an apprentice. He also became a choirboy in his local church, and later played the organ for the church services. Perhaps it was this experience that gave him a yearning to enter the church, because alter completing his apprenticeship he leit the world of engineering went on to a religious school - Kelham College, in Newark to study for the Priesthood. His fellow students and the lecturers at the College thought he was a very serious young man and not able to lighten up, so one day the students, as a prank, rolled him up in a corridor mat, which ended up outside the Principals door.

Alfred laughed so much the Principal came out of his office to see what was going on. He looked down at Alfred sternly, but then broke into a smile and said "Well Burlinson, I'm pleased to see you laughing at last". After that, he became accepted by the other students and life became more enjoyable, but the pressure of trying to master Greek and Latin was too much and sadly he was forced to give up this ambition. He returned to engineering, and using his apprenticeship qualifications he signed up with a merchant ship in 1908, as a junior engineer...

A very popular book written by the professional mechanical engineers trying to provide all interested readers with a nice and comprehensive historical overview of the mechanisms and machines invented by humans. The content of this interesting volume is covering virtually all areas of the mechanical engineering.

In fact, this is a a sort of historic survey with the engineering approach applied by the authors; the main body of the book has been arranged in eight major chapters that are presented in clear chronological order for easier reading and understanding. The publication is very useful and instructive and will provide people with an excellent introduction into the development of the various machines and mechanisms. The authors have illustrated their development mainly from the technical point of view; that is why the readers who spend some time with this book will get proper understanding of the major technological developments in the history.

Mechanical manufacturing processes have been addressed and examined in connection with the machines and mechanisms associated with them. We would say that this book is a real must-have one not only for the mechanical engineers but also for the general readers with the interest in machines, mechanisms and technology.

The book focuses on the following areas of marine geology science - the world's oceans overview, marine exploration, submarine volcanoes, the dynamic seafloor, coastal geology, abyssal currents, ridges and trenches, marine biology, sea riches and ocean resources, rare seafloor formation etc.

This is the very latest released which has been significantly expanded and thoroughly revised in order to take into consideration all recent developments in the field - the author has performed a very close examination of the relationship existing there between water together with its life forms and various geologic structures.

He is looking at different ideas for the origin of our Planet, oceans and continents, and also tries to find out how those processes manage to fit into the origin of the whole universe. The publication is actually covering the complete realm of the undersea landscapes taken with the life forms, from ocean volcanoes to the huge submarine canyons.

An excellent learning tool to be used for getting a good understanding of the marine geology. Will be appreciated by all specialists and students due to the information contained and analysis performed by the author.

Topics covered in this volume: WMU - Working towards gender equality; Intro; Maritime policy and women's advancement; Career development and associated gender issues; Maritime education and research - women's impact; Global leadership for maritime women; Sustainable issues in shipping industry - contribution of women; Maritime women - Global Leadership Declaration and the Programme of the Global Leadership 2014 Conference.

An excellent and classic book, one of the best available on the subject - it will provide readers with all information about living on board they would better get aware of prior to embarking. There are so many interesting and practical tips that the content will be interesting not only to the future seafarers but even to the general readers.

It has been already very well met by the readers who have found the content inspirational helping them to change their lives. Upon reading the publication, most of them have experimented with the solar power generation, growing food, sprouting using the information included by the author. Some practicing boaters use this volume as a sort of backup for their freshwater demands.

The book covers living on the sea and shipboard finances, making correct decisions when choosing a vessel, making money, such practical matters as purifying the water, galley aids, shipboard security, growing vegetables and sprouts, food preservation, selection and storage, popular and widely used seafarer's recipes. there are two appendices with the books suggested for further reading and resource guide. An excellent practical guidebook for every seafarer.

The Splicing Guide released by the well known manufacturer of ropes. It contains useful and interesting information on splicing, single and double braids, braided safety blue and hivee eye splice. tapering the cover on high-tech ropes, mega plait to chain eye splice, three strand, etc.

You will find all information and instructions required for correct splicing, such as the general tips, whipping and tools that are required to make a particular splice, handling ropes and used rope, fid and dimensions of the ropes. The detailed step by step instructions contained in the book will make the process of splicing ropes easily understandable even to the complete novices, taking into account the number and informativeness of the figures and images supplementing the text instructions.

An excellent volume that will be most greatly appreciated by the junior readers. As implied by the title of this book it is intended to explain the readers why the heavy vessels constructed not only of wood but also of metal do not sink and are capable of staying on the surface of the water, i.e. floating. The volume starts with the explanation of the terms sinking and floating and then the author proceeds to the fundamental law of the shipbuilding - the Archimedes principle.

Apart from the main subject of the volume, the author also describes the hull and the main parts of the ship. There is a short historical background; the book is even supplemented with a glossary of most commonly used terminology. An absolutely recommended brochure for the shipbuilders and mariners of the future. Let them have a look in this publication and they will understand the main principles much easier than they would do it reading their school books; we guarantee that they will enjoy reading.

The publication is dedicated to the famous sidewheeler of the past, SS Brother Jonathan; some 150 years ago the vessel got struck by the uncharted reef near Northern California and sank taking down the multi-million dollars of fresh-minted gold coins. Most of the people on board lost their lives and only nineteen could survive. The location of the sunk ship remained unknown for more than a century but was finally revealed.

In this volume that author demonstrates his research abilities. This is a truly remarkable piece of marine literature, perfectly researched and detailed, capturing the intrigue of maybe the most storied ship catastrophes on the West Coast of America. The author has beautifully captured the era and this was what made the book so engaging.

The extensive research conducted by him eventually resulted in this extremely popular publication appreciated by the naval enthusiasts from all around the world. A very entertaining though quite educational volume that can and shall be recommended to all people with the interest in the naval history, ship disasters, treasures and related researches - they will definitely find this book interesting and enjoy reading it much.