Lost Treasure Ships of the Twentieth Century [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover)

by Nigel Pickford (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
With increasing volumes of valuables transported by plane, the days of treasure ships are nearly over. What's more, sunken treasure evokes days gone by of pirates, gold and jewels but, according to the author of this survey of treasure ships, more gold and such like was moved on the sea in the first half of this century than was moved from the Spanish American colonies to Spain in that empire's most lucrative period. After an introduction to the history, technology, and legality of treasure hunting beneath the waves, the author tells the stories of 17 different treasure ships. Highly illustrated with photographs, paintings and ephemera, the book also features a gazeteer and map of over 170 known wrecks. (Kirkus UK) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Lost Treasure Ships of the Twentieth Century tells the gripping story of fortunes both lost and found. The book explores 17 individual ships -- selected for their historic importance, the scientific innovation behind their discovery, the personal tragedies that befell the people involved, and the glamour of the extraordinary wealth that they may have once contained. Detailed maps show the location of more than 170 ships, including the Titanic and the Lusitania.

Each wreck encapsulates a moment in time, providing a poignant memorial to its own age. Presented in chronological order, the story of these ships will appeal to historians, scientists, sailors, and everyone interested in the secrets of the sea, the treasures it has yielded, and what still lies on the ocean bed.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic; illustrated edition edition (September 14, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792274725
• ISBN-13: 978-0792274728
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #274,194 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Pleasure, February 4, 2000

By	Mark K. Mcdonough "Mark McDonough" (Reston, VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The American edition of this book was published by National Geographic, better known for consistency and a certain strange lack of personality than excellence, so I wasn't expecting much when I picked it up. What a pleasant surprise! Pickford is an excellent writer and world-class expert on his subject, and, I suspect, would be a fascinating person to share a pint or two with. Each chapter focuses on a single treasure ship. Pickford does a fine job of bringing out the irony, tragedy, and heroism of both the sinkings and the salvage efforts. I occasionally wished for more detail on some of the salvage operations, but mainly I was just left hungry for more -- I could have devoured 1,000 pages just as happily as 200. Pickford obviously has an extraordinary private archive, and the photographs add much to the text.

Note (from later): with respect to all the "unhelpful ratings" on this review, remind me not to insult the National Geographic again! Actually, I'm quite fond of the National Geographic, both in its original ineffably strange incarnation as a bastion of happy half-dressed natives and its more recent makeover as a fine and relevant magazine which looks at the world quite forthrightly.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars gold galore, December 11, 1999

By	Edward Bourke (Ireland) - See all my reviews

LOST TREASURE SHIPS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY Nigel Pickford Research work for the famous salvors, Riesdon Beazley forms the base for Nigel Pickford's extensive knowledge of treasure wrecks. His personal archive is used to provide the information for salvage expeditions even to this day. He has established himself as an entertaining author with the Atlas of Ship Wreck and Treasure in 1994. This fine production reinforces his reputation. The wrecks are all modern since the scope is focused on the twentieth century. In all 170 ships lost all over the world are described. Wartime losses predominate and the most tantalising aspect is the description of the huge cargoes of gold shipped about during the wars to pay for munitions. As countries were invaded or reoccupied the gold moved ahead of the advancing armies. There is a comprehensive listing of British gold cargoes moved during these troubled times. This is accompanied by detailed information on the routes and methods of shipment. The stories of the Laurentic, Lusitania, and Empress of Britain are of special Irish interest. Inevitably the Titanic is included. It is clear that the salvage business is alive and healthy and that there is such material out there to be found. There are fascinating mysteries remaining to be resolved. Was the gold removed from the Empress of Britain before she was torpedoed?. A skeleton was found during a recent probe into the gold room - was a member of a salvage party trapped there in her final plunge? Were there paintings aboard the Lusitania? Unfortunately the stories are not followed further to give really new insight beyond that already published. Sources of information are not fully described so the reader who wants to discover more will be disappointed. The Lost Treasure Ships of the Twentieth Century is well presented and lavishly illustrated. It is a fine coffee table book geared at the gift market. The chapters are self contained and it can be dipped into in easily digested morsels. Published Pavilion books, London, ISBN 1 86205 079-1

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real treasure itself, January 26, 2001

By	Mr D. Davies "historicalbooksfan" (UK) - See all my reviews

A beautiful book that explores some truely fascinating stories. It is more "grown up" than Pickford's other book "The Atlas of Shipwreck and Treasure". The Atlas, although enjoyable, always left me wanting to know a lot more. In this book each story is clearly meticulously researched and presented in far more detail. This creates a far more satisfying read. Many historians can write interestingly about their subject, however, Pickford not only achieves this, but has a captivating style which most fiction writers should be jealous of! This book is one that you'll want to continually re-read, it has certainly become one of my favourites.