Stokers' Manual, Admiralty

Name: Stokers' Manual, Admiralty
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6291
Price: 80.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, His Majesty's Stationery Office, 1912

Formatting: Small 8vo, pp. 121.

Condition Report: Very Good. The volume is tightly bound in its original dark blue textured cloth, which remains remarkably robust with only minor rubbing to the extremities and slight softening at the spine ends. The front board’s blind-stamped double fillet border and central gilt fouled anchor are sharp and unoxidised, retaining excellent brightness. The rear board features a matching blind-stamped border. Internally, the text block is sound and the pages exhibit mild, uniform age-toning consistent with their era. The letterpress typography remains crisp and deeply impressed, showing only the faintest ink halos typical of early twentieth-century government printing, and the pages are remarkably clean for a working naval manual.

Catalogue Note: This scarce surviving example is the April 1912 revised edition of the Royal Navy’s standard training handbook for engine-room ratings. Originally established in January 1901 and previously revised in October 1907, this iteration was printed by Eyre and Spottiswoode for His Majesty’s Stationery Office. The title page prominently bears the handsome official seal of the Admiralty.

As a manual specifically intended for engine room ratings not entitled to the standard steam manuals, and for seamen undergoing mechanical training, these books were working documents issued to men engaged in the harshest, most physically demanding environments aboard ship. Consequently, surviving copies in clean, robust condition are exceptionally scarce on the open market.

Furthermore, this edition’s revision date of April 1912 places its publication in the exact month of the RMS Titanic disaster. While a Royal Navy issue, it documents the precise operational knowledge, stokehold drills, and boiler management practices, such as pumping, flooding, and testing air in confined spaces, employed by all British stokers of that fateful era, giving it significant cross-over appeal for both maritime historians and ocean liner collectors.

An exceptionally well-preserved piece of maritime history, this 1912 Royal Navy Stokers' Manual offers a gritty, authentic window into the engine rooms of the early twentieth century. From managing water-tube boilers and stowing coal to executing fire precautions, this official handbook details the gruelling and highly technical work required to keep Britain's steam-powered fleets moving. A fascinating primary source for naval enthusiasts and historians alike

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Admiralty

Book Publisher: His Majesty's Stationery Office

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Aviation & Maritime

Book edition:

Signed: No

Book Pages: 121

Book Publication Year: 1912

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.