About this Item
THIS BOOK: Categorised as NEW: The 2009 edition was first printed in 2009. The cover is in full colour, matt and laminated. There is no foxing or bumping; the spine is tight. The front cover image is of the Prince Rupert by Peter Bilas. The cover has been opened, but all looks so good. There are images throughout the book, in black and white. A wonderful historic book on six seafaring disasters, a rare book. OUR IMAGES: We provide at least two images of each book or map in our inventory; no stock images are used. READ ON: When you view the photos, you'll see exactly what you are purchasing, not some stock image. READ ON for more information and details about the book and publisher, where relevant. ________________________________________ Published in 2009 and signed by the author, Wrecked Under the Green Point Light by John T. Dimond offers a vivid and historically grounded account of shipwrecks along the Cape Town coastline, focusing on the stretch between Green Point and Mouille Point. Drawing on archival sources, eyewitness accounts, and maritime records, Dimond reconstructs the circumstances surrounding six notable wrecks that occurred within sight of the Green Point lighthouse?each a story of misjudgment, weather, or mechanical failure, and each a reminder of the sea?s enduring unpredictability. The book opens with a concise history of the Green Point and Mouille Point lights, tracing their origins, design changes, and evolving roles in coastal navigation. Dimond explains how these beacons were intended to guide vessels safely around the rocky shoreline and into Table Bay, yet despite their presence, the area remained treacherous?especially in fog, storm, or when captains misread the signals. The author?s background research includes early lighthouse engineering, shoreline shifts, and the bureaucratic decisions that shaped local maritime infrastructure. Each shipwreck account is treated with care and clarity. From the wreck of the Hermes in 1901 to the loss of the S.A. Seafarer in 1966, Dimond presents the human and technical factors that led to disaster. He includes details of the ships? construction, cargo, crew, and final moments, often drawing on newspaper reports, survivor testimony, and official inquiries. The stories are not sensationalised; instead, they reflect the quiet drama of maritime life?where routine voyages could turn tragic in minutes. Photographs, maps, and diagrams enrich the narrative, offering visual context and helping readers trace the geography of each incident. Dimond also reflects on the broader significance of these wrecks: how they influenced safety regulations, public perception, and the development of Cape Town?s coastal defences. The book closes with a meditation on the role of memory and preservation, urging readers to see shipwrecks not just as accidents but as part of a living maritime heritage. This volume will appeal to historians, maritime enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the layered relationship between technology, geography, and human decision-making. It stands as both a tribute to those lost and a record of resilience?where even in failure, there is something to be learned and remembered. ________________________________________ INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: Please Note. FREE SHIPPING IS FOR THE UK ONLY. Please contact me for an international shipping quote.
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