The use of redundant naval vessels for the incarceration of prisoners had been a practice in use in Britain for many years prior to the date of this particular study which concerntrates on the era of the Napoleonic Wars up until the mid-19th century. And the intention of this fascinating and beautifully-bound book is to tell the full story of the Medway prison ships, drawn from snippets of local history, in books and articles, folklore and the author's reading of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations as a child.

Softback, 128 pages (including 16-page section of colour and B&W illustrations)

Medway Prison Hulks by KR Gulvin (L-13)

£9.99