Out of the Depths - by Alan G Jamieson (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A highly illustrated voyage through shipwrecks ancient and contemporary.

Out of the Depths explores all aspects of shipwrecks across four thousand years, examining their historical context and significance, showing how shipwrecks can be time capsules, and shedding new light on long-departed societies and civilizations. Alan G. Jamieson not only informs readers of the technological developments over the last sixty years that have made the true appreciation of shipwrecks possible, but he also covers shipwrecks in culture and maritime archaeology, their appeal to treasure hunters, and their environmental impacts. Although shipwrecks have become less common in recent decades, their implications have become more wide-ranging: since the 1960s, foundering supertankers have caused massive environmental disasters, and in 2021, the blocking of the Suez Canal by the giant container ship Ever Given had a serious effect on global trade.

Review Quotes

"An accessible book that offers an intriguing overview of shipwrecks in world history, their discovery by archaeologists and treasure hunters, and the concerns shipwrecks raise in the modern day. Jamieson raises his most salient arguments in part 2 by discussing the impacts of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage and the environmental threats posed by shipwrecks as ships have begun relying on oil as cargo and fuel. With its easily digestible chapters and accessible price, Out of the Depths would be an excellent book to combine with specialist literature in undergraduate courses that cover topics related to ocean environments in global contexts."-- "H-Environment"

"Jamieson's measured style is sympathetic to the seafarers whose perils he relates. . . . This is a smooth and enjoyable traverse of significant shipwrecks, and draws out interesting comparisons between eras by taking on so many in one volume. In the course of a readable and well-illustrated re-telling of some of the best shipwreck stories, it also touches on questions as disparate as who should escape a sinking ship first. . . . Shipwrecks are subject to constant and inevitable decay, and time is of the essence for those who capture the insights they offer."-- "Naval Review"

"Out of the Depths is not a simple chronology of shipwrecks. Jamieson writes about the circumstances and context of each loss. One important thread of his historical narrative is how shipwrecks over time have been used by mankind. Since the beginning, salvage has been the most important activity as sovereigns and ship owners tried to recover cargos such as precious metals, jewels, ordinary trade goods, and even cannons. The need to access wrecks in increasing depths also helped force development of diving operations and equipment, which remains true even today. . . . I have been involved in a wide variety of ocean-related activities for more than half a century, yet I found Out of the Depths both educational and a good read. It is in my library and should be in yours if you are interested in maritime history."-- "Proceedings of the US Naval Institute"

"In Out of the Depths: A History of Shipwrecks, Jamieson provides more than a comprehensive guided tour of shipwrecks across time to the present. His history is not simply a compendium of shipwrecks; Jamieson points to those shipwrecks which had an impact upon society and affect our study of the past. He starts by showing how shipwrecks influence our literature and arts and ends with their influence on our laws and values. . . . If you are interested in the study of shipwrecks, this book serves as an excellent starting point and comprehensive overview."
--Vic Mastone, former Director and Chief Archaeologist for the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources

"Jamieson offers concise, accessible coverage of many important shipwrecks through time, whether or not they have been located. This book is more than encyclopedic, because for some wrecks he presents many more details about the people involved, to remind the reader that there are tragic personal stories behind each of the hundreds of thousands of shipwrecks throughout history."--Warren Riess, University of Maine

"Jamieson provides an overview of shipwrecks around the globe that were lost at sea between the early beginnings of ocean navigation and the present day. Organized chronologically by date of loss of the respective vessels, the book provides a plethora of information."-- "Northern Mariner"

"Sharing the incredible saga of lost ships on the ocean floor and how they reflect humanity's past is a daunting task. Jamieson's sweeping narrative offers a detailed and fascinating view of this vast undersea museum, and the stories that the wrecks in those often-inaccessible depths offer to modern generations."--James P. Delgado, Ph.D., archaeologist, explorer, and author of "War at Sea: A Shipwrecked History"

About the Author

Alan G. Jamieson is a researcher and writer based in Alberta, Canada. His books include the novel Crossroads of the Years and Lords of the Sea: A History of the Barbary Corsairs, the latter also published by Reaktion Books.