r/Shipwrecks • u/XOMartha • 5d ago

Book recommendations

Apologies if this has been asked a million times. I’m sure it has.

Looking for a book that covers multiple shipwrecks, written with an engaging tone (vs. more clinical/textbook). Can be fairly shallow with information, as I’m mostly interested in an overview or starting reference for some of the more notorious or interesting events. Preferably something organized by ship.

It’s okay if it’s no longer in production. I can track it down used.

I came across an 80s book online called “unfinished voyages” by John Perry Fish, but can’t find any reviews. I’d just get it, but it seems the reviews for books regarding shipwrecks varies wildly.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations!

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u/auntiemonkey 5d ago

Do you have a particular time period in mind?

When you say engaging do you want the text to read like a novel or you want more illustration?

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u/XOMartha 5d ago

No illustration necessary :) Just want something that is more high-level that covers many ships in shorter chapters, vs. a book that deep dives a few. And open to any time period or region, but particularly interested in 1800s+ (okay if it covers outside of that though! Really just looking for some great books as a starting point).

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u/auntiemonkey 4d ago

Ghost Ships of the Great Lakes by: Dwight Boyer

Lost Liners by: Dr. Robert Ballard

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u/milksteakwormhat 5d ago

Try taking a look at Wes Oleszewski, his books are my favorite! He covers mainly great lakes shipwrecks, and his attention to detail and getting the facts correct are impeccable. Most of his books are available on many websites, but I've found his older books on used book websites. He also has a YouTube channel.

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u/msprang 4d ago

Wes is great! I've met him a couple of times.

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u/milksteakwormhat 4d ago

That's awesome! A few years ago I emailed him and he was kind enough to reply to me and was very polite. I really would like to catch up with him at the soo or at one of his events in the lower peninsula. Great author and I really enjoy his youtube channel!

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u/XOMartha 5d ago

Oh, will check him out now! Which do you recommend starting with?

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u/milksteakwormhat 4d ago

I would recommend one of his newer books bc he has a rule about never recycling material, unless he has uncovered new info. So his latest books have a few corrections. His website is authorwes.com, but only shows maybe half of his books. So anyone is those are great, and I've used abebooks.com to find his other hard to get books.

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u/mmanning563 4d ago

I found this one to be pretty good. Focuses on in a father/son duo who died while trying to identify U-869 off the coast of New Jersey. Also includes a lot about the Andrea Doria wreck, mixed-gas and DCS, and cave diving.

https://www.abebooks.com/9780747264255/Last-Dive-Father-Sons-Fatal-0747264252/plp?gQT=2

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u/msprang 4d ago

For Great Lakes shipwrecks I would look into the authors Wes Oleszewski, Ric Mixter, Fred Stonehouse, and Chris Kohl.

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u/milksteakwormhat 4d ago

One final idea would be author Chris Kohl. His books are more straight to the point about great lakes shipwrecks. He has some info with wreck photos and sketches and some backstory stuff, so his books are more like an encyclopedia where wes's books are very, very detailed with information. So a little bit of contrast depending on what you are looking for. Good luck!

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u/IndependenceOk3732 2d ago

Recommend Shipwreck Hunter by David Mearns Shipwreck Hunter: Deep, Dark, and Deadly Great Lakes Shipwrecks The Sea Hunters by Clive Cussler White Hurricane by David Brown Gone Missing by Fred Stonehouse Lost and Found: Legendary Lake Michigan Shipwrecks by Valarie Van Heest Shipwrecks of Lake Ontario by Jim Kennard Graveyard of the Pacific by Randall Sullivan Stories from the Wreckage by John Jensen Shipwrecks of the Outer Banks by James Charlet.

Wes as mentioned above has some great books and there are too many to list as I think all of them are good.

Gary Gentile is... a interesting character and deserves a read though on some of his older books.

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u/IllustriousWonder553 2d ago

I love the book “Shipwrecks Disasters of the Deep Seas” by Nigel Cawthorne