Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes [Hardcover]

Paul Hancock (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2001

The Great Lakes--Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario-- bordering Canada and the United States, are collectively the world's largest body of fresh water. Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes is a fascinating account of many of the most disastrous shipwrecks to have occurred in the centuries since the lakes were discovered by Samuel de Champlain. Illustrated throughout, it is organized chronologically, showing that though the construction of ships and their equipment might change, shipping is always at risk from the elements.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Thunder Bay Press (CA); 1st ed edition (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571452915
• ISBN-13: 978-1571452917
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,484,466 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent book for the casual enthusiast but poorly researched, June 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes (Hardcover)

Paul Hancock's entry into the Great Lakes shipwreck genre is a very nicely produced book with many dramatic photos and a high level overview of a small sampling of accidents. The book is a good coffee table style book for the casually interested, but will disappoint those already acquainted with the genre or those looking for a more comprehensive and accurate reference. Despite the lavish production, the book is poorly researched, relying solely upon the secondary resources of a single archive. Subsequent errors in photo identification and historical fact abound, such as the misidentification of the schooner Northwest and the outright fabrication of the loss of the sidewheeler Planet, while details concerning the losses of several others vessels are grossly inaccurate. The book contributes no new information to the historical record and is simply an unchecked rehash of the (sometimes erroneous) work of previous researchers. The book is solely for the entertainment of the casual enthusiast and is a blatantly commercial effort bearing a striking similarity to the now out of print book Wrecks and Rescues of the Great Lakes by James Barry. Of the small sampling of Great Lakes wrecks considered, nearly all have already been written about extensively by previous authors, usually with greater historical accuracy. If you are seriously interested in the history of Great Lakes shipwrecks, this is a good book to skip. However, if you are looking for a coffee table book with large, dramatic photos of Great Lakes ships and shipwrecks, this is an excellent volume.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book!!!!, January 27, 2012

By 

cptboblo - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes (Hardcover)

If your from the Detroit area or really from anywhere, this is an excellent book. There are a lot of great articles about a lot of ships, and the pictures are awesome. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the Great Lakes or ships.

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Reading, February 15, 2011

By 

Friend of the Arts - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes (Hardcover)

Very interesting reading of some of the many tragedies that befell mariners on our Great Lakes. The Author includes numerous B&W photos of some of the vessels prior to their demise and some after. With close to 90% of the pages containing photographs and detailed information as to the type, length, width, weight tonnage of each ship it gives the reader a visual as well as mental picture of the vessel they are reading about. With information of the many vessels ranging from a few paragraphs to a couple of pages you appreciate the numerous hardships the crews had to endure. Have loaned the book to several friends and all have enjoyed immensely.