Tom Diaper's Logbook ─ Memoirs of a Racing Skipper

Tom Diaper's Logbook is the memoir of a remarkable man and a rare opportunity to read first-hand about the drama, conflict and fascinating details that made up the life of a for-hire racing skipper during the glory days of racing. Tom Diaper wrote his memoirs on scraps of paper and old cigarette papers and these were pulled together to give a narrative of his life from a toddler on his father's yacht until his retirement as a skipper. The book tells of dramatic races with the German Kaiser, working for the Pinkerton Detective Agency, both World Wars and other exciting adventures over Tom's lifetime. The book was first published in 1950, a year after Tom's death, and has been popular amongst sailors and sailing enthusiasts ever since. Now reissued with the original photos plus explanatory footnotes and a foreword from renowned sailor and fan of the book, Tom Cunliffe, Tom Diaper's Logbook is an ideal gift for lovers of sea stories, action and real-life adventure.

Captain Tom Diaper (1867–1949) was one of the most renowned racing skippers of the late 19th and early 20th century. His family can trace their roots back to 1066. The family is intrinsically linked with Itchen Ferry village and Southampton and is a major part of the area's maritime history.