'An Universal Dictionary of the Marine' is worthy of inclusion in the library of any maritime history aficionado. Published in 1769, the tome opens a window to a colourful era in shipping. The scope is suggested by its complete title: 'An Universal Dictionary of the Marine: Or, A Copious Explanation of the Technical Terms and Phrases Employed in the Construction, Equipment, Furniture, Machinery, Movements, and Military Operations of a Ship'.

DOWNLOAD LINK: https://marine-cafe.com/download/an-universal-dictionary-of-the-marine-by-william-falconer-pdf-format/

The dictionary is also interesting because of the man who wrote it, William Falconer.

Falconer was the author of 'The Shipwreck', a poem he first published in 1762, The Royal Museums Greenwich website has this to say about the poem and Falconer:

"This poem is more than a work of pure fiction, however. The Shipwreck is firmly fixed in the everyday workings of a mid-18th century merchant vessel. Falconer was writing from personal experience and The Shipwreck is a semi-autobiographical work. Born in 1732, the son of a barber from Edinburgh, Falconer became a sailor and on a voyage from Alexandria to Venice (circa 1750) was one of only three survivors of the wreck of his vessel." https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/blog/library-archive/shipwreck-william-falconer