The Lusitania Controversies Book One: Atrocity of War and a Wreck-Diving History
This is actually three fascinating stories in one: the sinking of the Lusitania, an in-depth history of deep wreck-diving, and an autobiography of technical diving’s most influential personality.
hardcover with color dust jacket, 6 x 9 vertical, 312 pages 47 color photos, 34 black & white photos
This is actually three fascinating stories in one: the sinking of the Lusitania, an in-depth history of deep wreck-diving, and an autobiography of technical diving’s most influential personality.
The Lusitania is one of the most notorious shipwrecks in seafaring history, not only because of the circumstances of her sinking - the result of a German torpedo - or because of the enormous loss of life that resulted, but because the wreck has come to symbolize what is achievable in the realm of underwater exploration.
Book One begins with the construction of the largest liner afloat at the time of her launching, in 1907. It goes on to cover the ship’s career and loss, analyzes the controversial aftermath, explodes the myth of conspiracy, examines the impact that the torpedoing made on history, and recounts the early attempts to salvage and dive the twisted, rusted remains - before the advent of wreck-diving as a specialized activity.
The book then takes the reader on a breathtaking sweep through the early days of wreck-diving: when basic scuba certifications did not exist, when numerous wrecks lay waiting to be discovered, when decompression was a little understood concept, when pony bottles and decompression reels were invented, when original wreck-diving techniques were developed and particular skills were honed. Experience the challenges presented by such deep-ocean wrecks as the Andrea Doria.
Background material of the author is also provided. From 1970, when the author obtained his diving certification and became fascinated with the exploration of sunken ships, the wreck-diving viewpoint is seen through his eyes as he went on to become the quintessential wreck-diver and the leading promoter of the activity.
This is not a documentary but an adventure tale that is full of drama: from the war torn jungles of Vietnam to the deep dark depths of the Mud Hole. Here there is tragedy as well as triumph, death contrasted to hairsbreadth escapes, and events of great importance in the refinement of wreck-diving techniques. This fact-paced story will keep you on the edge of your seat and wishing there were more.
Book One pauses at the end of 1979.