Harry R. Skallerup. Books Afloat and Ashore: A History of Books, Libraries and Reading Among Seamen During the Age of Sail. Hamden CT: Archon Books, 1974.  

First Edition; Hardcover; 277 pp; 9-1/4 by 6-1/2 inches; eleven illustrations; five appendices listing books actually or typically found in early seagoing libraries; bibliographic notes; index; dust jacket; blue textured cloth, gold stamped titles on spine.

Please see the pictures for detail.

Note:

The author was associate librarian at the United States Naval Academy.

From the dust jacket: "BOOKS AFLOAT AND ASHORE presents for the first time a panoramic view of the role of books, libraries, and reading in the maritime environment. The early use of books among seafarers and the precedents for libraries at sea are traced from the invention of printing [until about 1850]. There is discussion of the social, literary, and religious as well as the military influences which dictated the need and choice and availability of books for sailors both on land and at sea. Emphasis is placed on the history of the various types of American nautical libraries which evolved… Consideration is also given to the place of books in the day-to-day life of the seaman."