You must be so talented to be able to attempt something like that. My Dad wrote a novel and got it published but it was semi-autobiographical, I can't even imagine the amount of research that must go into yours. Dad's publishing house was a start up and really it was a money house as opposed to doing any PR etc. and to be honest the book is VERY self indulgent and still needs another good editing!
I read "Star of the Sea" by Joseph O'Connor lately, it is set aboard an Irish famine ship bound for the US, and I could not get over the months and months of research he must have put in. (BTW I HIGHLY recommend this book!)