The author draws heavily on first-hand accounts, drawn from personal memoirs, trade journals and specialist writing; supplemented throughout by reference to various reports (contemporary and afterwards) and secondary works as appropriate. While, as the author points out, there has been a range of books published covering various aspects of fishermen and fishing vessels during the First World War, this book represents the first time that a single comprehensive history has been attempted...

... In a succession of chapters d’Enno takes us from minesweeping coastal waters and searching for submarines, to patrolling off Gallipoli. His history is illustrated throughout with the stories of individual fishermen and fishing boats and their experiences; this is where the joy of this book lies...

... As I read each chapter I was increasingly fascinated by the range of activities into which the fishermen were drawn and the contribution and sacrifices they made in support of Britain’s war effort. Even boats not directly engaged in minesweeping were always at risk of encountering these floating bombs. In the excellent chapter on Sea Wolves Roaming, d’Enno shows how fishing vessels were also prime targets of the U-boats and Germany’s policy of unrestricted submarine warfare...

... Overall the book succeeds in its aim of providing a summary overview of this important area of Britain’s war effort; for me, it opened the door to a novel world about which I would like to find out more. It should have appeal for both the landlubber (i.e. me) and those already of a maritime persuasion. Its strength lies in its compilation of first-hand accounts by the fishermen themselves, and the surprisingly wide range of theatres and experiences covered (amplified in the excellent appendices). The stories fascinate the reader with their insight into life aboard the fishing vessels and how the challenges of war became part of the routine dangers alongside those of the sea and the weather. After reading this book, one is left full of admiration and respect for the fishermen of Britain and their role in the First World War – achieving the author’s principal aim. Volume two promises to be equally engaging.

Review by Western Front Association member Dennis Williams

This subject is well off the beaten track for the majority of Soldier readers but is worthy of investigation. The first in a two-volume set, Doudlas d'Enno tells the fascinating story of the unsung heroes of the British fishing fleets during the Great War. Under Naval command or operating independently, the fishermen and their boats were employed on dangerous patrols in home waters, the Arctic, the Aegean and the Adriatic. With minimal training the crews operated as an auxiliary navy taking on minesweeping, U-boat patrols, decoy missions and blockade duties.

Soldier Magazine Sept 2010

This seldom-examined aspect of WW1 is detailed and well researched, with good use of private papers, diaries, official reports and publications. which are used to explore the role of trawlers, drifters and fishing smacks, together with their crews in combating mines, submarines and other naval threats in British coastal regions. The training of the crews, equipping and arming the vessels is clearly described but somewhat short on technical detail. The problems of integrating crews with Royal Naval Reservists used to naval discipline is effectively outlined; as are the problems of recruitment and retention, all making for a challenging leadership proposition for the ships' captains.

Awarding prize money - £1,000 for a captured or sunk submarine - encouraged aggressive seamanship and motivated these motley crews. Other areas of operations included the Dardanells (in support of the Gallipoli landings) and the Adriatic, where the trawlers had transport and evacuation duties alongside minesweeping and counter-submarine warfare. Tasks ranged from Zeppelin-spotting, as these huge dirigibles raided coastal towns, to protecting the main supply artery to France and providing a lifeboat rescue service. Captured trawler-men were very badly-treated by their captors, which only emphasizes their bravery. This book will appeal both too WW1 buffs and maritime specialists alike.

Military Illustrated

This book is something of a revelation. The sheer scale of the contribution made to the war effort by the British fishermen and their boats is very impressive and the price they paid deserves to be remembered - losses of ships and men were very heavy in every theatre where they served. Roll on volume two!

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