www.isleofwightwss.org.uk iowwss iow wss world ship society isle of wight branch newport isle of wight meeting place for the isle of wight branch of the world ship society island ship club shipping club for ship enthusiasts ship spotters ship spotting ship club isle of wight shipping club isle of wight ship society ship societies isle of wight solent ship club solent shipping club solent ship societies world ship society watching ships from the isle of wight www.isleofwightwss.org.uk where to watch ships how to watch ships interested in ships shipping organisation located isle of wight location south coast solent ship club organisation information about ship clubs society website members ship club membership how to join the isle of wight ship club contact fellow shipping enthusiasts with an interest in maritime and nautical matters old books postcards ship photography club taking photos photographs of shipping in the solent southampton and portsmouth taking pictures of cruise ships and liners historic and modern day vessels maritime library available to members full program programme of events slide shows video shows social club meeting gathering near the sea to watch the ships in the solent library reference resource available to members who join publications available at reduced price classic liners and passenger vessels marine news journal of the world ship society passenger ship society south coast ship society future events an international society whose aim is to stimulate and maintain interest in ships and shipping throughout the world worldwide www.isleofwightwss.org.uk isle of wight clubs and societies photographing ships shipping movements southampton portsmouth and the solent maritime information
Since its founding by a small group of dedicated ship enthusiasts in 1946, the World Ship Society has grown into the largest and most prestigious international organisation dedicated to maritime and naval history.
Today the World Ship Society is noted for its extensive list of publications, including the highly regarded journal, Marine News. As well, the organisation maintains an significant library and collection of photographs for its members and researchers.
Branch meetings, held throughout the world, allow members to share their knowledge, experience, and joy of the shipping and naval industries. From the young to the elderly, the membership is diverse and reflects the wide range of maritime or naval history. Yet all share an abiding love for the ships that travel the seas.
What is now known as the World Ship Society was originally the "brain child" of Michael Crowdy, brought about more or less by chance.
In 1946, Michael was corresponding with various people interested in ships, and as the number of correspondents grew, it became necessary to duplicate the information he received in order to circulate it. As young as he was, Michael realised the potential existing for an organisation such as the Ship News Club and with a great deal of encouragement and some financial support from his father, Michael launched the Ship News Club.
The first Annual General Meeting of the Ship News Club was held aboard Wellington, Thames Embankment, London on 23rd September 1949 and it was at this meeting that the proposal to change the name of the Club to the World Ship Society was accepted and approved.
Today, more than 50 years later, the World Ship Society has thousands of members in countries world-wide with branches in Europe, Australia, South Africa, Asia, and North America.
The monthly magazine, Marine News, has continued uninterrupted over the years and is now a standard 64-page format with colour photographs, widely respected by marine historians and those in the marine industry.
The Central Record and the Photo Libraries have both expanded to enormous size and provide information to members seeking research back to very early times.
Over the years, nearly every task within the Society has been carried out by volunteer members, from their own homes. There are no paid employees. There is no "Head Office" (or "Home Office"). But with the vast resources available to each volunteer (usually from within his or her own collections, it is possible to meet the thousands of marine-related requests received each year from its members.
Today, a large team of volunteer members provide other members with assistance in their research on ships and shipping matters, sometimes going back to very early times. Looking ahead, the future appears very bright for the World Ship Society. New members are joining daily and with the introduction of some services on-line or through the Internet.
