Fast shipping. Just as describedFast shipping. Just as describedReaders want to be cautious in purchasing this book. It's title includes the prase [with plates]. Actually, the plates appear in a second volume not reprinted here -- they can be found in a 1988 reprint. The main text is about techniques of lofting, of setting out frames and other structures from the plans, and of summary aspects of construction. All this is unfathomable without the plates, which are constantly referred to. The technical vocabulary assumes considerable prior knowledge of ship construction. The placement of stop waters on a keel scarf would be an example. Readers interested in wooden boat construction would be better off investing in Chapelle's 1946 manual on 'Boat Building'. Even were Volume 2 to be reprinted, this book is still a loser other than from an archaeological point of view. The materials -- oak, wrought iron -- aren't as available as they were in 1880.this book is listed as containing the plates but they are not included. It is not therefore not as described in the heading and unfortunately Amazon are taking some time to resolve the issue. Without the plates the book is of no use.