Published by Forgotten Books, 2018
ISBN 10: 1330356632 ISBN 13: 9781330356630
Seller: Forgotten Books, London, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: New. Print on Demand. This book delves into a gripping tale of maritime disaster and extraordinary heroism, recounting the tragic events surrounding the sinking of a British troopship off the treacherous coast of South Africa in the mid-19th century. The narrative meticulously reconstructs the fateful voyage, capturing the moments of terror and courage as the ship succumbs to the unforgiving sea. Set against the backdrop of the British Empire's expansion and military engagements in South Africa, the book explores the complexities of colonial conflicts and the sacrifices made by soldiers and their families. Through vivid firsthand accounts and meticulous research, the author sheds light on the human cost of war and the enduring legacy of those who perished in the disaster. This book goes beyond a mere recounting of a shipwreck; it delves into themes of duty, discipline, and self-sacrifice, exploring the depths of human resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity. The story of the Birkenhead serves as a timeless testament to the power of the human spirit and the enduring values of courage and compassion. Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works. The digital edition of all books may be viewed on our website before purchase. print-on-demand item.
Published by Naval and Military Press, 2009
ISBN 10: 1843420570 ISBN 13: 9781843420576
Seller: Naval and Military Press Ltd, Uckfield, United Kingdom
SB. xvi +318pp with 72 b/w illus including facsimile reproductions of correspondence2001 N&MP Reprint of 1906 Original EditionPublished Price £19.95 The troopship Birkenhead sailed from Cork on 17 January 1852, bound for South Africa with 12 officers, two surgeons and an assistant surgeon, 479 WOs, NCOs and men, 56 women and children and a crew of 130. The troops, drafts from ten regiments, were reinforcements for units involved in the Eighth Kaffir War. After putting into Cape Town, disembarking sick men and some passengers and taking on coal and horses, the Birkenhead sailed for Port Elizabeth on the evening of 25 February. At 1.50 a.m. on the 26th the ship struck a reef about 50 miles out, tearing which a hole in the hull through which the seas rushed in, instantly drowning most of those of the troops occupying the overcrowded lower deck as they slept in their hammocks. The remainder mustered on deck under the orders of Lt Col Alexander Seton of the 74th Highlanders (later to become the 2nd Battalion The Highland Light Infantry), who detailed off parties to man the pumps and assist in launching the eight boats, woefully inadequate for the numbers on board. Eventually three were lowered and got away with, among others, all the women and children. The rest of the troops stood in military formation on the deck as the ship sank, twenty-five minutes after striking the reef. The horses were turned loose to swim ashore but they were attacked by sharks which had gathered round. Many of those left on the ship tried to reach the shore, clinging to wreckage; they, too, were attacked by sharks. The final death toll was 445, including the commander of the vessel, Captain Salmond, and Lt Col Seton; 193 were saved, including all the women and children. The names of those lost, listed in the text, were inscribed on a brass plate and placed in the Chelsea Hospital by command of Queen Victoria, âto record heroic constancy and unbroken discipline.â King William IV of Prussia was so impressed by the heroic behaviour displayed that he ordered all his regiments to be paraded and the story read out to them.The title page of the book describes it as âthe only full and authentic account of the famous shipwreck extant, founded on collected official, documentary and personal evidence, and containing the narratives and lives of the actors in the most glorious ocean tragedy in history.â A truly remarkable tale. This N & MP reprint benefits from previous editions by the inclusion of a full index compiled by Dr Stanley Monick.
Published by London : Hutchinson, 1906
Seller: MW Books, New York, NY, U.S.A.
First Edition
1st edition. Very good copy in the original gilt-blocked cloth. Spine bands and panel edges somewhat dust-toned and rubbed as with age. Remains quite well-preserved overall. Physical description; xvi, 318 pages, 71 unnumbered leaves of plates. Subjects; Great Britain. Army History. Birkenhead (Ship). Shipwrecks South Africa. Naufrages Afrique du Sud. 1 Kg.
Published by Naval & Military Pr, 2001
ISBN 10: 1843420570 ISBN 13: 9781843420576
Seller: Revaluation Books, Exeter, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: Brand New. reprint edition. 528 pages. 8.35x5.43x1.34 inches. In Stock.
Published by Naval & Military Press, 2006
ISBN 10: 1847340741 ISBN 13: 9781847340740
Seller: Naval and Military Press Ltd, Uckfield, United Kingdom
HB. xvi +318pp with 72 b/w illus including facsimile reproductions of correspondence2001 N&MP Reprint of 1906 Original Edition The troopship Birkenhead sailed from Cork on 17 January 1852, bound for South Africa with 12 officers, two surgeons and an assistant surgeon, 479 WOs, NCOs and men, 56 women and children and a crew of 130. The troops, drafts from ten regiments, were reinforcements for units involved in the Eighth Kaffir War. After putting into Cape Town, disembarking sick men and some passengers and taking on coal and horses, the Birkenhead sailed for Port Elizabeth on the evening of 25 February. At 1.50 a.m. on the 26th the ship struck a reef about 50 miles out, tearing which a hole in the hull through which the seas rushed in, instantly drowning most of those of the troops occupying the overcrowded lower deck as they slept in their hammocks. The remainder mustered on deck under the orders of Lt Col Alexander Seton of the 74th Highlanders (later to become the 2nd Battalion The Highland Light Infantry), who detailed off parties to man the pumps and assist in launching the eight boats, woefully inadequate for the numbers on board. Eventually three were lowered and got away with, among others, all the women and children. The rest of the troops stood in military formation on the deck as the ship sank, twenty-five minutes after striking the reef. The horses were turned loose to swim ashore but they were attacked by sharks which had gathered round. Many of those left on the ship tried to reach the shore, clinging to wreckage; they, too, were attacked by sharks. The final death toll was 445, including the commander of the vessel, Captain Salmond, and Lt Col Seton; 193 were saved, including all the women and children. The names of those lost, listed in the text, were inscribed on a brass plate and placed in the Chelsea Hospital by command of Queen Victoria, âto record heroic constancy and unbroken discipline.â King William IV of Prussia was so impressed by the heroic behaviour displayed that he ordered all his regiments to be paraded and the story read out to them.The title page of the book describes it as âthe only full and authentic account of the famous shipwreck extant, founded on collected official, documentary and personal evidence, and containing the narratives and lives of the actors in the most glorious ocean tragedy in history.â A truly remarkable tale. This N & MP reprint benefits from previous editions by the inclusion of a full index compiled by Dr Stanley Monick.
Published by London : Hutchinson, 1906
Seller: MW Books Ltd., Galway, Ireland
First Edition
1st edition. Very good copy in the original gilt-blocked cloth. Spine bands and panel edges somewhat dust-toned and rubbed as with age. Remains quite well-preserved overall. Physical description; xvi, 318 pages, 71 unnumbered leaves of plates. Subjects; Great Britain. Army History. Birkenhead (Ship). Shipwrecks South Africa. Naufrages Afrique du Sud. 1 Kg.
Published by Hutchinson & Co. - London, 1906
Seller: Barberry Lane Booksellers, Bar Harbor, ME, U.S.A.
First Edition
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. First Edition. Green cloth with gilt title to spine and small vignette to front cover. Being the only full and authentic account of the famous shipwreck extant, founded on collected official, documentary, and personal evidence, and containing the narratives and lives of actors in the most glorious ocean tragedy in history. B/w plates.
Published by Naval & Military Press, 2006
ISBN 10: 1847340741 ISBN 13: 9781847340740
Seller: Ria Christie Collections, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
Condition: New. PRINT ON DEMAND Book; New; Fast Shipping from the UK. No. book.
Published by Hutchinson and Co, 1906
Seller: BoundlessBookstore, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Hardcover. Condition: Good. General wear to boards with edge wear. Hinges are a bit cracked. Content mainly clean with even toning and a prize sticker. No DJ.
Published by Naval & Military Press, 2006
ISBN 10: 1847340741 ISBN 13: 9781847340740
Seller: moluna, Greven, Germany
Gebunden. Condition: New. Dieser Artikel ist ein Print on Demand Artikel und wird nach Ihrer Bestellung fuer Sie gedruckt.
Published by Naval & Military Press, 2006
ISBN 10: 1847340741 ISBN 13: 9781847340740
Seller: AHA-BUCH GmbH, Einbeck, Germany
Buch. Condition: Neu. nach der Bestellung gedruckt Neuware - Printed after ordering.
Published by Naval & Military Press, 2006
ISBN 10: 1847340741 ISBN 13: 9781847340740
Seller: Mispah books, Redhill, SURRE, United Kingdom
Hardcover. Condition: Like New. Like New. book.