This history of the Wallsend Research Station is an enthusiastic account of the research performed at the Parsons Marine Engineering Turbine Research and Development Association (PAMETRADA) and subsequently at the British Ship Research Association (BSRA). The author also tells of the staff who worked for the two organizations, and his account extends to descriptions of the lighter side of office life, enriching the clear, uncomplicated explanations of the innovative research work carried out.

Undoubtedly, 1945 was an exciting time to start a marine based career and from the beginning PAMETRADA strove and succeeded in keeping Britain technologically in the forefront in maritime related areas. The merger with BSRA in 1962 brought together two similar organisations whose pooled expertise and knowledge could only be beneficial to customers and employees. This period could not have been an easy one, however, and the author himself was closely involved in ensuring the smooth transition of two associations into one.