A month ago, I produced a 15-page free download pertaining to merchant navy history, and ship modelling. It was a bit of a "damp squib" with only about 27% of those reading the synopsis going on to download the full free file. Two days ago, I decided to give it another try before giving up on it, but this time, I put a nominal charge of £1.49 on it (via Paypal). Much to my surprise, it has taken off very well indeed. The first issue is still free, here are the links:
Shelterdeck 1   http://payhip.com/b/krO6 (Free)
Shelterdeck 2  http://payhip.com/b/mMQw (£1.49)
By clicking the links, you are not committed to purchasing, but may read the full synopsis of each one. Issue 1 is completely free, but the 2nd issue has the small charge.
Both contain plans. The first, the Thames tug SA Everard, and the second issue Elder Dempster's Calabar and the brigantine Mary Celeste.
Bob

Edited By Bob Wilson on 31/10/2016 09:22:47

Thursday, 10th November, 2016
Interest in The 2nd issue of The Shelterdeck, published on Saturday, 29th October, 2016, seems to have fizzled out. After a good initial start, downloads quickly declined. The first free issue has been downloaded by 24% of the people who read the synopsis. The 2nd issue, has only been downloaded by 12% of those who read the synopsis, so it looks like the nominal charge of £1.49 has gone a long way to killing it off. A third issue is now in preparation, but it takes a lot of work to produce, and interest may not be sufficiently widespread for me to continue it after issue 3.

Bob

Following my announcement that The Shelterdeck was to be discontinued due to lack of interest, there was a sudden, and inexplicable increase in the number of downloads. If this is maintained, The Shelterdeck will continue, the next issue being scheduled for 30th December, 2016.

Bob

Issue 6 is now available. This time, a bumper 18 pages, 7,353 words, 15 photographs, 1 profile  plan and 1 general arrangement plan of a 1947 cargo liner. **LINK**

Bob

Edited By Bob Wilson on 26/02/2017 08:32:51

Bob

It was the Seafarerers Education Service, London that arranged such things. They are now called The Marine Society, but when I wrote to them some time ago, they did not even condescend to reply, despite the fact that I was giving them something!

But apart from that, I think you would have to come up with something more than the captain's name! Can't you remember what ship it was? Merchant ships are extremely well dcoumented, but normally, the only persons interested in them are those with a personal connection.

Bob

I am pleased to announce that issue Nr. 7 of The Shelterdeck is now available as a download. This issue is 16 pages in length, with 27 illustrations. Please click the image below, and scroll down to read the full synopsis. Then, if you wish to purchase a download, a Paypal button is provided for £1.49.
**LINK**
Bob

After discontnuing The Shelteredeck, I found that I actually missed compiling it. I therefore resumed it, and produced issues 8 and 9, receiving a few messages expressing some pleasure that it had started again. It now has a staunch regular readership of half a dozen people. On completion of Nr. 9, I decided to start a new series, beginning at page 1, and leaving out all the repeated preambles that were contained in the first nine issue. From now on, the pages will be consecutive. This first issue of the new series contains pages 1 to 16. The next issue will carry on from page 17. Each issue contains at least one small scale plan of a ship. Here is the link to New Series, Issue 1: **LINK**

When the link opens, scroll down to read the full synopsis. Then, if you wish to purchase a download, a Paypal button is provided for £1.49 – less than a cup of coffee! This is now more of a "labour of love" than anything else.

Bob

Bob