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Voices from the Bottom of the South China Sea | The Untold Story of America's Largest Chinese Emigrant Disaster Hardcover – September 24, 2014

by Robert S. Wells (Author)

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Voices from the Bottom of the South China Sea is the remarkable, untold illustration of the bonds between Americans and Chinese, brought to life in the true story of a deadly 1874 shipwreck off Southern China that killed hundreds and scattered treasure in the South China Sea. When a midnight coal fire burst across the deck of the SS Japan, the Chinese emigrants perished, just hours away from being reunited with their families after years. Voices captures the Chinese passengers' lives in California, where they built America's railroads, mined its silver, and grew its food, only to see public sentiment turn against them with an anti- immigrant, racist fervor. Their lives were entrusted to a veteran China Sea trader-the erstwhile Captain Edward Warsaw-an American captain whose vigilance and courage in command of the world's largest wooden passenger vessel were sorely tested when his ship caught fire and sank on that fateful return voyage to China. Nearly 400 of his Chinese passengers on the Japan, a side-wheel steamship that Mark Twain called a "perfect palace of a ship," would perish. Cut off from their lifeboats by the raging fire, many would drown when they were forced to jump into the sea, only to be dragged down with their money belts of gold, their earning from their years spent laboring in America. This amazing history involves a shipwreck, pirates, and lost treasure. But most of all, Voices captures the shared passions, ambitions, and animosities of Chinese and Americans seeking fortune in nineteenth century California. With the lost records of the event recently discovered and pieced together by the author, a former navy captain who commanded a warship in the waters where Captain Warsaw's ship went down, this book allows the lost voices to tell their story to the world from the bottom of the South China Sea.

Print length

256 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Fortis
Publication date

September 24, 2014
Dimensions

5.98 x 0.63 x 9.02 inches
ISBN-10

193759243X
ISBN-13

978-1937592431
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Fortis; Illustrated edition (September 24, 2014)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 193759243X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1937592431
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.15 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.98 x 0.63 x 9.02 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,807,071 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,594 in U.S. Immigrant History
- #70,832 in U.S. State & Local History
- #97,544 in Travel (Books)

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8 ratings

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Gilroy Chow

History made interesting !!!

Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2015

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A fascinating account of a moment in the time in our country's history I had not heard before. It tell of the changes that took place in our country after the civil war and the impact it had on the face of immigration to America from China. Extremely well done.

4 people found this helpful

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Chief

Amazing Story of an almost forgotten period in American history.

Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2015

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This is an amazing story that Captain Wells has presented in this book. His research of the period, the history of the Chinese that came to America by itself is a compelling story, but to add to that the tragedy of a shipwreck and the human stories and pathos makes this a fantastic read. As a former senior U.S. Naval officer, Captain Wells has been to the places in the story and has felt the spirits of those who lost their lives. Highly recommended to anyone.

6 people found this helpful

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Don C

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2016

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Good coverage of a very tragic historical event, but suffers from a lack of proof reading and editing.

One person found this helpful

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Homeporter

VOICES FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA is part mystery ...

Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2015

VOICES FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA is part mystery, part thriller, and part history. Captain Bob Well has done a superlative job as the lead detective on the case. He illuminates a largely untold story and does it with the flourish of a screen writer for a James Bond movie. I value his detailed research that give’s the reader the feeling of being a participant in the events rather than a spectator. Regardless of ones politics regarding Chinese American relations, we must clearly know that we in the US will have to deal with China in the future. This tale of tragedy and loss must be a shared experience. We must learn from the past and forge a deeper relationship based on genuine trust and mutual respect. VOICES FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA is a valuable book and well worth reading.

6 people found this helpful

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Voices from the Bottom of the South China Sea | The Untold Story of America's Largest Chinese Emigrant Disaster Hardcover – September 24, 2014

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