Daniel Bishop Davy (1799-1874) followed his father, Robert Davy, as a shipbuilder in Topsham. His Memoranda Book containing details of costs, measurements, materials and designs is made available here, with extensive annotation for present day readers. Much can be learned about the business carried on by this family firm, and about the economy of British shipbuilding towards the end of the age of sail.
Edited and with a substantial Introduction by Clive N. Ponsford, there is also a Biography of Robert Davy and a glossary of technical terms. Modern boat-builders as well as economic and local historians will find much to interest them.
