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 enlarge | Author: Gary Kinder
Publisher: Vintage
Category: Book
List Price: $15.95
Buy Used: $0.01
You Save: $15.94 (100%)
New (51) Used (175) Collectible (9) from $0.01
Avg. Customer Rating:  196 reviews
Sales Rank: 6960
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 560
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 8 x 5.2 x 1.2
ISBN: 0375703373
Dewey Decimal Number: 910.91631
EAN: 9780375703379
ASIN: 0375703373
Publication Date: May 11, 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Help save a tree. Buy all your used books from Green Earth Books. Read -> Recycle -> Reuse!
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| Customer Reviews:
 The Science of Recovering Sunken Treasure November 7, 2007
The 'Prologue' tells about the discovery of gold in California after building a water-powered saw mill in January 1848. The United States was ending the war with Mexico; Alta California would become a US territory. The US government provided a subsidy for two fleets of sidewheel steamers. One traveled from Oregon and California to Panama, the other traveled from Panama to New York. They carried mail, freight, and passengers. Stories about finding a fortune in gold created a gold rush. This skyrocketing population made California a state in September 1850.
'Ship of Gold' tells of the last trip of the SS Central America. The second day out of Havana a storm arrived (it was the stormy season). The ship sprung a leak while sailing into the storm (p.31). Burning coal lightened the ballast so the ship rode higher. The strong wind tattered the sails. Water continued to rise in the bilge. All men were asked to help bailing out water. A smaller ship sailed by, women and children were sent aboard. The Central America sank that night, almost all souls on board were lost (p.75). Did the loss of this gold cause the Panic of 1857 (p.158)?
'Tommy' tells of the life of Tommy Thompson growing up in the small town of Defiance Ohio. Young Tommy collected parts from discarded appliances (p.82). He was an unusual character in college and majored in mechanical engineering (he wanted to be an inventor). Submarine vessels go back a long time (p.94). There is an engineering challenge to deep sea underwater exploration (pp.147-150).
'The Deep Blue Sea' describes their search and the problems they encountered. Storms still occur, hardware glitches caused problems, and human errors were found (p.253). Careful analysis produced areas where they might find the Sidewheel ship. The more expensive recovery phase came next. They designed a Remote Operation Vehicle to operate 10,000 feet below the sea. They would need an artifact from the wreck to file a legal claim on the shipwreck in court. Problems occurred (p.325). Legal terminology was important (p.348). The Federal judge enjoined anyone from interfering with the salvage (p.372). The great depth affected electrical motors (p.377). Once the season was over they prepared for the next year. More money was needed, then a new ship was found. They made a new discovery when rechecking their data. This new site best matched the lost steamer. More money was raised and the gold was recovered the next year. Insurance companies filed lawsuits to claim all the gold! [No problem for their lawsuits.]
The 'Epilogue' has the conclusion. The recovery vehicle was far in advance of anything else. It led to new knowledge (p.493). New life forms could have medical benefits. The insurance companies that had no evidence for their claims were rejected (p.499). The other were rejected because they "abandoned" their claim to the gold. Columbus-America was rewarded for its pioneering work (p.501). [Too many pages were spent on inconsequential matters. The events of 1857 are not contiguous. Reducing this book by about 200 pages would make it faster reading.]
 What an Adventure ! September 21, 2007
This is an appealing book on many levels. 19th century sea adventure, heroes, tradegies, great survival stories, heart stopping excitement, 20th century high tech recovery adventures, interlopers and bottom feeding lawyers and insurance companies, it's got it all. Why 4 stars rather than 5 ? I found it a tad long after they found the boat and began that part of the story. But, that is a small point. Well worth the reader's time.
Ship of Gold is a good story with excellent details about the recovery of the gold. August 28, 2007
Ship of Gold is a good story with excellent details about the recovery of the gold.
In my next recovery book I will look for more diving experience. The ROV's do not have the same adventure value as the human diving experience we have on the North Sea but then again the North Sea is maximum 40 meters deep. We don't need ROV's at these depths.
I liked the sonar specialist story and the systematical scanning of the area's with the best values in the probability matrix.
 Hands down one of the best book ever! August 20, 2007
This is by far the best book ever. I have purchased more copies then I can count and I have given it to all of my family members and most of my friends. All of them loved it. Even my mom told it was one of the best books she had ever read. Being she reads a book every two weeks that's a pretty good compliment.
This is a short book, but it takes a long time to read. It's not that it's a hard read; it's just that it's so good you will take your time to read it. Almost like savoring a great wine.
I don't recommend many books, but this one should be on the top of your reading pile. Once you read it you will understand why and I'm willing to bet you will recommend it to all of your friends.
Good modern day treasure hunt July 4, 2007
I liked the way the author took the reader back and forth from the past to the present. It was interesting to see how much planning and inguenuity it took to accomplish the recovery of the gold. Once the treasure was found, I have to admit to having a mild case of 'gold fever' due to the vivid descriptions provided by G. Kinder. The only reason I didn't give it the full 5 is because of the Tommy (the technical mastermind of the recovery) praising!!!! Alright already, he certainly must walk on water, and if he doesn't, he'll surely invent a way to. Inspite of the Tommy factor, this is a good book.
Also recommended: In the Heart of the Sea
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