On Board

Set sail for a journey through time and around the world . . .

Packed with exciting, real-life stories and detailed illustrations, this is the fascinating story of how boats and ships have transformed our world.

For thousands of years, the only way to cross the oceans was by boat. How must those first voyagers have felt, first hugging the shorelines and eventually venturing out across open seas? On Board charts water transport through history, exploring the personal stories, technological changes, and cultural impact of marine travel.

Readers will learn about the migrations of ancient mariners, the circumnavigation of the globe, and the colossal container ships that transport the goods we use every day. Taking a global look at the subject, the book talks about colonization that was enabled by the use of boats and ships, as well as wars that were waged on the seas.

How did the earliest sailors navigate across the oceans? How are different kinds of boats powered—and how has the technology evolved? What were the incredible Ming voyages? How did the turtle ship get its name? What can sailors do to stay safe at sea? And what are some of the most weird and wonderful facts and stats about boats?

The book highlights heroes and pioneers, such lighthouse keeper Grace Darling, who saved lives at sea; Hugh Mulzac, the first Black US shipmaster; and the women who defied convention to become shipbuilders and engineers hundreds of years ago. There are also annotated overviews of well-known vessels, such as the ancient Egyptian Khufu Ship, the Mayflower, and the RMS Titanic.  

Engrossing illustrations bring stories from the sea to life: the graceful longships with which the Vikings did bloody battle; the ingenuity of Inuits who built boats made from animal skins; the pirates and privateers who brought terror to the waves; the tug of war between a a propeller-driven ship and a paddle steamer; the groundbreaking scientific voyages of Charles Darwin that aided our understanding of humanity; and the world’s first zero-emission container ship.  

From the same author and illustrator team that brought you On Track: The remarkable story of how trains have changed our world, this book is a celebration of boats and ships that will delight readers with its breadth and detail.