Stars to Steer By
Celebrating the 20th century women who went to sea
Published on 8. May 2025
Book
Hardback
336 pages
978-1-3994-1546-0 (ISBN)
Description
The extraordinary stories of the fearless women who set their sights on the sea in an all-male world, paving the way for the female sailing superstars of today.
Gender issues are stark at sea. Historically a ship's crew is all male, and although vessels are referred to as 'she', women's contributions to sailing have been largely ignored, if not actively opposed. Today's sailing legends such as Tracy Edwards and Ellen MacArthur compete with men on equal terms, but they stand on the shoulders of many women before them, who had to challenge preconceptions, prejudice and even the law in their wish to sail.
Spanning the 19th century to today, Julia Jones dives into the lives of an array of incredible and unconventional women: we meet single-handed sailors, wealthy explorers, long-suffering wives and penniless chancers with a thirst for adventure. Each had to face down barriers of official exclusion, family-imposed restriction, social disapproval and often a resulting lack of self-belief.
In the 21st-century, British women wear Admiral's uniforms and break global yachting records, yet their journey to professional sailing remains challenging, and the public face of sailing remains mostly male - evident in the lack of female Commodores in prestigious yacht clubs. Even as sailing becomes more accessible, the remarkable contributions within these stories are a precious source of inspiration to all women facing their own challenges today.
Gender issues are stark at sea. Historically a ship's crew is all male, and although vessels are referred to as 'she', women's contributions to sailing have been largely ignored, if not actively opposed. Today's sailing legends such as Tracy Edwards and Ellen MacArthur compete with men on equal terms, but they stand on the shoulders of many women before them, who had to challenge preconceptions, prejudice and even the law in their wish to sail.
Spanning the 19th century to today, Julia Jones dives into the lives of an array of incredible and unconventional women: we meet single-handed sailors, wealthy explorers, long-suffering wives and penniless chancers with a thirst for adventure. Each had to face down barriers of official exclusion, family-imposed restriction, social disapproval and often a resulting lack of self-belief.
In the 21st-century, British women wear Admiral's uniforms and break global yachting records, yet their journey to professional sailing remains challenging, and the public face of sailing remains mostly male - evident in the lack of female Commodores in prestigious yacht clubs. Even as sailing becomes more accessible, the remarkable contributions within these stories are a precious source of inspiration to all women facing their own challenges today.
Reviews / Votes
Stars to Steer By is a long overdue celebration of the spirit of women's independence through sailing, shining a spotlight on achievements which, all too often, have been wiped from the sailing record; it advocates what all women sailors want - normalisation and a sense of fairness on the water. Julia's writing brings each of her subjects vividly to life, giving a voice to many pioneers whose success and trailblazing have been overshadowed by the achievements of men, just on the basis of gender. This book is the start of the correction of the record. * Katy Stickland, PBO Magazine * Stars to Steer By is an entertaining and inspiring cruise through the lives of women sailors: adventurers, racers, travellers, workers, pootlers, rich and poor, happy and sad. It's a lovely portrait gallery as much as a history, and deserves a place on every sea-lover's bookcase, whether you're a real sailor or an arch fantasist. * Louisa Young * Jones has carved a fine reputation for herself as a nautical author * Sailing Today * Entertaining and inspiring * The Scotsman * A long overdue celebration of the spirit of women's independence through sailing... Julia's writing brings each of her subjects vividly to life. This book is a must read; every page uncovers the life of another woman who defied the odds, and you are richer for learning about them. * Practical Boat Owner * A richly researched and deeply engaging book * Sea Breezes * A fascinating collection of stories * East Anglian Daily Times * Thoughtful * Best of British *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Illustrations
Black and white photographs throughout
Dimensions
Height: 242 mm
Width: 160 mm
Thickness: 35 mm
Weight
532 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-3994-1546-0 (9781399415460)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
05/2025
1st Edition
Adlard Coles Nautical
€18.99
Available for download
Person
Julia Jones is a writer, editor and classic yacht owner, whose father served in the RNVSR. She is Literary Contributor for Yachting Monthly magazine.
When she was a small girl, Julia's parents bought Arthur Ransome's yacht Peter Duck. She found that her berth on board was the snuggest place in the world for reading, writing and dreaming too. Years later she discovered her special reading place was where Ransome stored his typewriter. This inspired her 'Strong Winds' series of sailing adventures.
When she was a small girl, Julia's parents bought Arthur Ransome's yacht Peter Duck. She found that her berth on board was the snuggest place in the world for reading, writing and dreaming too. Years later she discovered her special reading place was where Ransome stored his typewriter. This inspired her 'Strong Winds' series of sailing adventures.
Content
Acknowledgements
Introduction: Pink Shorts: Women overlooked
1 In the shade of one's own hat brim
Circumnavigating for pleasure
2 My mother sewed constantly
Invisible women at sea
3 Blue gauze veils are useful but not ornamental
New designs for 'New Women'
4 The coiffure harks back to primitive simplicity
Outdoor women
5 My red skirt was to be the signal
Independent Irish women
6 We don't want any petticoats here
Pioneering women in the First World War
7 Winter Shoes in Springtime
Overcoming trauma
8 Fed up with this skirt nonsense
Post-war pioneers and fickle yacht owners
9 Clothes not fit for a girl to wear
Sailing on the last of the grain ships
10 Elastic-waisted blue serge skirts
Pleasure sailors between the wars
11 I only joined for the hat
Women sailors in the Second World War
12 Things will never be the same again
Women's lives disrupted by the war
13 I wore the right shoes and didn't interfere
Unexpected jobs in wartime
14 I handed him a bundle of garments for a flare
Discovering courage
15 With my best suspender belt
Adapting to the post-war world
16 No experience necessary
Mixed-sex sailing, 1950s to 1970s
17 If I'm coming, I'm coming in my duffle coat
Women in offshore racing
18 Heather at the stemhead
Sailing from the Clyde
19 Nobody can find you
Families at sea
20 Enormous biceps, baggy jeans and a jolly, yo-ho manner
Femininity and determination
21 Hiring leaky oilskins from the charter company
Women making their own way
22 Who wore the pants?
The role of skipper
23 Trouser suits
Married teamwork
24 I pinned a smile on my face
Winners
25 Dressed like I wanted it
Changing priorities
Bibliography
Endnotes
Index
Introduction: Pink Shorts: Women overlooked
1 In the shade of one's own hat brim
Circumnavigating for pleasure
2 My mother sewed constantly
Invisible women at sea
3 Blue gauze veils are useful but not ornamental
New designs for 'New Women'
4 The coiffure harks back to primitive simplicity
Outdoor women
5 My red skirt was to be the signal
Independent Irish women
6 We don't want any petticoats here
Pioneering women in the First World War
7 Winter Shoes in Springtime
Overcoming trauma
8 Fed up with this skirt nonsense
Post-war pioneers and fickle yacht owners
9 Clothes not fit for a girl to wear
Sailing on the last of the grain ships
10 Elastic-waisted blue serge skirts
Pleasure sailors between the wars
11 I only joined for the hat
Women sailors in the Second World War
12 Things will never be the same again
Women's lives disrupted by the war
13 I wore the right shoes and didn't interfere
Unexpected jobs in wartime
14 I handed him a bundle of garments for a flare
Discovering courage
15 With my best suspender belt
Adapting to the post-war world
16 No experience necessary
Mixed-sex sailing, 1950s to 1970s
17 If I'm coming, I'm coming in my duffle coat
Women in offshore racing
18 Heather at the stemhead
Sailing from the Clyde
19 Nobody can find you
Families at sea
20 Enormous biceps, baggy jeans and a jolly, yo-ho manner
Femininity and determination
21 Hiring leaky oilskins from the charter company
Women making their own way
22 Who wore the pants?
The role of skipper
23 Trouser suits
Married teamwork
24 I pinned a smile on my face
Winners
25 Dressed like I wanted it
Changing priorities
Bibliography
Endnotes
Index