A multi-volume set which lists ships registered with the international insurance syndicate in London, and provides names of shipmasters and shipowners. Annual issues list registers of ships and individual ship construction. The Record of American and Foreign Shipping is similar, but contains a greater number of American ships. Merchant Vessels of the United States has information on smaller American vessels and United States Government vessels. These works can provide information about ships your ancestors may have commanded or owned, and can also verify the correct names of ships.
Some volumes contain line drawings of the various types of vessels.
As ancient mariners were drawn to the water, their descendants are charmed by tales of seafaring ancestors. Either way, it is the possibility of placing our ancestor in a given time and place and documenting his or her role in a larger history that more than justifies a foray into maritime research.