The Abandoned Ocean offers an in-depth appraisal of United States maritime policy from the establishment of a merchant marine immediately after the Revolutionary War through radical industry transformations of the late twentieth century. In this sweeping analysis of federal policies that promote, regulate, and subsidize American shipping, Andrew Gibson and Arthur Donovan also examine the closely related fortunes of the shipbuilding industry and the merchant and military navies. The authors consider why, since the middle of the nineteenth century, United States maritime policy has been so strikingly unsuccessful in achieving its goal to promote a commercially viable merchant marine engaged in foreign trade.

Completely revised and updated to address changes in technology and safety standards, this new edition is the definitive guide to the art and science of sailing. Since the publication of the first edition in 1983, The Annapolis Book of Seamanship has set the standard by which other books on sailing are measured.