Lost Treasure Ships of the Twentieth Century

Nigel Pickford first came to my attention with the publication of "The Atlas of Shipwreck & Treasure" in 1994. I well remember how I had to convince the lady selling books at a London Dive Show to let me have her last "counter" copy after she had sold out within a couple of hours of opening on that first day... Now we have something different - albeit on a similar theme, and a cracking good read as well. Lost Treasure Ships of the Twentieth Century is, as the title suggests, a collection of shipwreck and treasure stories from a modern age. Measuring 10¾ in x 9 in, this paperback book is a steal at only £14:99. Commencing with an introduction which is likely to resurrect the dormant "gold fever" in anyone, we are carefully and skilfully taken from the age of Spanish Galleons right up to the early 20th Century where we are given an overview of the various requirements for shipping large quantities of gold and other valuables by sea. Then we get down to 17 case histories - or specific chapters on specific ships, namely; The Islander (a story of Klondike gold), Admiral Nakhimov, Republic, Titanic, Lusitania, Tubantia, HMS Hampshire, Appam, Laurentic, Pilot Boat No 19, Empress of Britain, HMS Edinburgh, Nazi Loot, Fort Stikine, I-52, John Barry and the Awa Maru. Famous ships and not-so-famous ships all carefully selected because they combine so well to get the imagination running. For any Diver or Salver this book is a must - but for anyone else, it is also compelling reading. What was the Lusitania carrying? How did they get the gold from HMS Edinburgh?, What really did happen to Rommel's Nazi Loot? The book concludes with a number of very interesting and informative sections which commence with a world map of "Lost Treasure Ships" and an insert map showing those within British waters. Between them, they plot the approximate position of 174 valuable shipwrecks. This is followed by a brief description of each of these ships - including their; Name, position, cargo, route and other details. OK, so I knew the "Shirala" was sunk by UB-27 in 1918 and I know she is still a popular dive out of Littlehampton - but I did not know that 4 packages of diamonds are still on that wreck somewhere. Finally we have Cargo Route listings - showing what was moved from and to wherever, before the book finally rounds off with the customary glossary, bibliography, acknowledgements and index - and very thoroughly too. Few people ever bother to read the bibliography and acknowledgements, but in this instance, they really are worth a glance just to acquaint the reader with the large amount of research involved in producing a book such as this. Altogether, a bargain at any price - but especially so at £14:99. NM

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.

This is really a good book in most ways. The articles are very informative and well illustrated. I did enjoy reading it.The reason for only 4 stars is the major flaw in the book, the omission of the Egypt and the Niagara. Why did Mr. Pickford omit these two ships? Their stories are famous epics of salvage of gold: the Egypt in the 1920's and the Niagara during WWII.

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.

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