Diary of a Wartime Naval Constructor

Diary of a Wartime Naval Constructor written by Sir Stanley Goodall published

by Seaforth Publishing - £25 - Hardback - Pages 272

One of the most significant warship designers of the twentieth century, Sir Stanley

Goodall rose through the ranks of the Royal Corps of Naval Constructors to

become its head in 1936. The Corps was responsible for every aspect of the design

and construction of British warships, and its head, the Director of Naval Construction,

was the principal technical advisor to the Board of Admiralty. Although Goodall was

succeeded in this post in January 1944, he remained the Assistant Controller Warship

Production until October 1945 so was probably the single most influential figure in

British naval technical matters during the war years.

His private diary was never intended for publication – indeed it seems to have been a vehicle for venting some of his professional frustrations – so his opinions are candid and unrestrained. His criticisms of many in the Admiralty and the shipyards are enlightening, and taken as a whole the diary provides new and unique insights into a wartime construction programme that built nearly a thousand major warships and a myriad of landing craft and coastal forces.

Dr Ian Buxton, a well-known authority on British shipbuilding, has edited the entries covering Goodall’s war years, identifying the various personalities and ships referred to (sometimes cryptically), while setting out the context in a number of introductory essays. As an insider’s view of a complex process, this book offers every warship enthusiast much new material and a novel perspective on an apparently familiar subject.

This I have to say was a very interesting read about an aspect of working during the war we hear very little about. Written in a diary format which I think wasn’t written to be published has allowed the writer the chance, to be honest, and say it as he saw things. What we want from a diary is for the person to be honest as this gives the truth about how that person feels and some of the real pressure being felt in certain circumstances. It seems that there are a lot of frustrations trying to run, organise and make everything technical that needs doing, gets done exactly. A number of people, organisations and businesses come in for criticism, which in most cases is quite justified, the pressure of having to achieve certain things and targets seemed enormous. Now I really like diaries so I found this a cracking read, some might find this a little dry but if you want an all-round picture of how parts of a war are run, you’ll enjoy this book. I would happily recommend this book.