Customer Reviews

Treasure Ship: The Legend And Legacy of the S.S. Brother Jonathan

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dennis's book is an extraordinary historical adventure; from the descriptions of the passengers on the San Francisco dock in 1865 to the courtroom shenanigans of the 1990's, I read it straight through and could hardly put it down.

I guess I should provide some credentials - I was the Chief Engineer aboard the Research Vessel Point Lobos with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute during the time the Navy used our side-scan sonar data to locate the Macon with their manned submarine off of Partington Ridge south of Monterey, CA. This was in June of 1991. We then performed video surveys and other research with our ROV, the Ventana. Later, National Geographic put out an article on the discovery in their Jan 1992 issue. I was the Chief Engineer on board the Pt. Lobos and later, on the RV Western Flyer for a total of about 10 years, ending in 1997. So naturally, I have a pretty good background in Marine Research Operations and I know what it is like trying to use a support ship in the rough coastal waters of Northern California.

One thing that struck me during this time was the inability of reporters and writers of every stripe to get the story straight. It seemed much of our press was riddled with errors of many kinds. So when I got to the part of Dennis' book where he described the various efforts and technologies used to find the SS Brother Jonathan I was prepared for the same thing I had seen so many times before. Much to my surprise, all of it was explained properly and there were no red flags indicating he had been sloppy with his research and reporting of the facts. In my estimation, this is no small feat. Dennis should be congratulated for his hard work.

The other thing I liked about this book is its fairness to the players. He was able to tell a complex and divicive story without taking sides. The only character who came out stinking is the state of California and by all accounts they deserve it. Given the facts, (I checked elsewhere) one would find it hard to make them look good. They were the one entity who could've been a tremendous resource and a helpful partner in the recovery efforts, but rather they turned out to be a contrary, negative and litigious enemy to all
concerned.

The late 1800's were a fascinating time on the Northern California coast - the stories are not dry ones! For me, Dennis brought those times to life again and kept my interest right up to the last expedition. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes California History, ships, treasure, gold coins, research, the sea or even a really good story!

Having previously read "Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea" by Gary Kinder, and "Lost Gold of the Republic" by Priit J. Vesilind, I thought someone would eventually write a similar book about the SS Brother Jonathan. What I didn't expect was just how good Dennis Powers's book would be. If you are a collector of gold double eagles or Civil War gold in general, then I highly recommend all three of these books. If you enjoy history, or shipwrecks, or just a good non-fiction read, then I recommend this book above the others.

I am a fan of history books that read like a good novel. Dennis Powers's "Treasure Ship" doesn't just document events, it makes you feel you are right there witnessing the events.

I would be surprised if this book doesn't get made into a movie, or at least, a History Channel special.

I truly enjoyed this book. I find nonfiction far more captivating and dramatic than fiction. Dennis did an outstanding job of bringing out all aspects of this story (I can't imagine anyone making up a story this good). He takes us on a journey from the ship leaving San Francisco to it's wreck followed by the more incredible story of finding the wreck, going to the supreme court over the legal issues, fighting over the issues about rare coins and finally to helping us see the business end of treasure hunting.

Once I was half way through the book I couldn't put it down!

Dennis Powers's Treasure Ship is the read of the year. During the time around the Civil War and the gold rush in the west, travel from coast to coast was frequently by sea because there were no railroads connectine east to west, and travel across the plains was slow and perilous. Gold was usually transported by ship, even though that was also very dangerous, and many went down laden with fortunes in gold.
Powers's book is like a time capsule taking us through an horrific, vividly detailed ship wreck just off the coast of California when the Jonathan slams onto a rock and splits apart during a violent sotrm at sea. Powers introduces in vivid, living detail those who traveled in high style, and to others who endured steerage class, but the sea was no respecter of persons. Or of the treasure in the ship's hold.
This book is marvelous; the story seems so real and the telling thrills and transports us back in time. This would make an epic motion picture.

Well Dennis Powers has done it again ! Well written and researched. Just finished it, Recommend it to anyone interested in Ship wrecks and treasure.
Sandy Nuss researcher Del Norte County Historical Society,Crescent City, California

I got this book as a gift for my husband and he loves it!! He wanted to know about the SS Brother Jonathan as we had visited the lighthouse in Crescent City, California and it's discussion was a part of their tour.

I truly enjoyed this remarkably well conceived and well-written account of the shipwreck, salvage and legal battle surrounding the Civil War era sidewheel steamer S.S. Brother Jonathan. I preferred the organization of this book to most others of the genera in that instead of sandwiching the salvage history in between chapters dealing with the history of the ship itself (i.e. going back and forth in time - a technique I find distracting); Powers gives the whole fascinating history of ship's life and last days in the first few chapters and then delves into the spellbinding details of the discovery and excavation of the ship. The complicating drama of interpersonal politics and the morass of litigation which sadly hampered the operation are as interesting as the discovery of the treasure itself - and unfortunately it was politics that kept the salvage effort from being a complete success. This book is more than just the tale of a shipwreck and its salvage however.... Powers' narrative introduces and then fully develops many truly interesting sidelights that could have been tales unto themselves. For example.... he fully describes the controversy and personalities surrounding the "great debate" over the authenticity of reputed assayer's bars of the gold rush era and gives a highly interesting account the law of salvage and the long and painful legal battle between the salvors and the state of California. Finally while most authors writing about shipwreck recovery operations must submit their accounts to the salvage operators for approval before going to print (if they expect access to to the details of the salvage operation) - Dennis Powers was not so encumbered and hence was able to give an objective "warts and all" picture of all the involved personalities and issues. If you like to read tales of underwater archaeology, shipwrecks and lost treasure.... this one will keep you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages... until well past bedtime. Highly recommended.

I completely enjoyed this interesting and well written account, which includes a history of the ship S.S. Brother Jonathon and the recovery of gold coins ($20 gold pieces mostly) and other 1865 artifacts from the sunken ship. Very few parts of the book were a tad too drawn out for me, legalistic details, which can be expected from the author who is also a lawyer. Still the book is quite well done, the author did a fine job of describing the era of 1865, the reasons for the ship and the modifications, routes, etc. I have read shipwreck recovery books for over 30 years starting with Clay Blair's "Diving for Pleasure and Treasure" decades ago, and this is one book I will heartily recommend to anyone who enjoys a good armchair treasure recovery story.

This is a brilliant story about the sinking of the S.S. Brother Jonathan with its valuable cargo and those that survived. The writer, Dennis Powers, captures the reader and puts you in the drivers (or should I say divers) seat. I love how he writes and tells a story. Enough history and information to lay out the scope of the enormity, but zeros in to make it a human interest story. Times were tough, men were rugged and seas unforgiving.

After reading this story, you'll want to pick up his book entitled: Taking the Sea, which covers tales of shipwreck scavengers. Now there's a tough line of work.

Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (3/07)

"Treasure Ship" is the story behind the story of the legend of the S.S. Brother Jonathan. The story is written in three parts. Part one establishes the background and history of this fabled ship from the date of it's launching in 1850. Information was extracted by tracing the ownership and history of the ship from the ship's logs. Powers details the many ownership changes, the ship's transport utilization, near disasters, and the excitement of the California gold rush.

Part two establishes background information on the survivors, the search for the "Brother Jonathan" over a time period of over 150 years. Powers also introduces a glimpse into the subjects of Numismatics, deep sea research, and the community within Crescent City, California.

Part three outlines the disputes among the investors, their personalities, management styles, and the conflict between exploration strategies, their ideals and their motivation. Divers, salvage groups, and investors are drawn into the search for sunken treasures for many reasons including, the mystique, excitement, risk, and romance of the adventure. Many are driven by avarice, others by a desire to conserve and restore these priceless artifacts for posterity. These chapters include government intervention, legal battles, and a Supreme Court decision.

Powers has created an ongoing saga of colorful characters, scoundrels, egoists, and over-zealous bureaucrats. These characters move his narrative forward. Within two weeks of the disaster and devastation, a search for the battered ship had begun. These stories within a story give insight into the historical setting of the various eras as the explorations and discoveries were attempted.

The book is informational in the areas of shipbuilding and the sea worthiness of shipping vessels, Numismatics, legal implications of sunken treasures, the acquisition and ultimate disposition of these artifacts, coins, and gold bars.

Powers has researched and documented his work well and included an event timeline, selected references and a complete index. Powers has a flare for journalism. His writing style is colorful, detailed, dramatic, and informational.

"Treasure Ship" is destined to become the definitive work on the legend and legacy of the S. S. Brother Jonathan.

Book received free of charge.