Egypt's Shipwrecks

[abucksdiver]

If I know I'm going to dive a particular wreck, I like to find out about the history , as well as the layout and condition before I dive.

Partly this is because, as other have said, I don't always recognise the "boaty" bits, so it is good to have an idea of what to expect beforehand.

Others have mentioned that the details may become out-of-date... but that is a risk with any printed documentation. At best, printed docs will only ever be a snap-shot!

I would say that the detail is useful - but whether you will get the sales at any given price may be down to many different factors...

Keep up the good work... I might look out for your Malta book!

Andrew

PS> Just ordered your Malta book...

[Rod]

Originally Posted by Fiona

However what has just struck me about the picture of the Thistlegorm is crickey I am sure it wasn't like that the last time I dived it in 2001, has it really collapsed so much if it has then I would much prefer to remember it how it was.

Must admit it seems lots worse than when I dived it last year. Maybe I just remember it as better than that !

[turbanator]

I think that it depends on the market and fashion.
People have mentioned the coffee table books.
Tinking particulary of the Ballard ones, the Titanic one was successfull because o the ship itself, then the next Bismark(?) was IMO relying then on 'Ballard Fever' and sold quite well generally. The pulic had ot over that by his Lusitania book, and the one that followed (I forget which wreck now).
So divers will still buy tham as they're interest is maintained, but the general public has 'seen it all before'. cf. Apollo, going to the moon was 'old hat' by that time and it was only that people might die that got it back in the news.

So was your research wasted, well no.
Could you have made more money (whatever you charge) by making a 'lite' version of the book with lots of pictures, probably not, because the market is divers, apart from relatives maybe.

Good luck with the book Ned.

[johntemp]

Well, I would say that regardless of the amount of detail, one thing is vital - accuracy.
It is clear from recent events that another well known figure / author within the diving community has found himself ostracised. One of the comments that I heard related to inaccuracy of the information.

I have many books, including Neds Maltese Island guide and some I choose for their general overview of the wrecks, others I choose for their in depth detail on a specific set of wrecks.

I personally would love to get a book that is highly detailed and relates to the core wrecks of the Red Sea. I sat in on the dive briefings, did the dives, read the overviews in existing books but I certainly have no real accurate detail.

I certainly would not like to read a book that fills in gaps in knowledge with an authors loose opinion.

[johntemp]

Originally Posted by Rod

Must admit it seems lots worse than when I dived it last year. Maybe I just remember it as better than that !

The only obvious difference that I could see was the bow railing is completely gone. I'll try to upload a picture from March this year later.
Other than that I believe that the picture is very accurate.

[Ron Young]

Hi Ned

Great sketch and I know how much it must have cost from one of the country's top artist, but if you can afford it mate, go for it. At least everyone will know what the wreck looked like in 2005-6, of course I hope there is also a photo of the ship before it sank, too
Most, if not all the great wrecks I used to dive on off the English NE coast, about 30-years ago, are now just mostly flattened remnants; typical ones are the SOMALI and OSLOFJORD. I wish I could have had photos of them how they were then.

Look forward to seeing it in print, it's been a long time coming, but it should sell well, worldwide.

Incidentally I hear that restrictions are being put on the THISTLEGORM, due to achors etc damaging and pulling the wreck to bits, that's probably why it's collapsed so much.

Cheers Ron

[Steve Sub]

Originally Posted by johntemp

The only obvious difference that I could see was the bow railing is completely gone. I'll try to upload a picture from March this year later.
Other than that I believe that the picture is very accurate.

It looks pretty accurate to me. I dived it last October and I don't think it has deteriorated THAT much ,at least superficially, from the first time I dived it about 2 1/2 years ago. I've attached another artist's impression which I downloaded at least 2 years ago. They look pretty similar.

Re: Ned's book, I will certainly be buying it as I love to read the history of wrecks. I have no idea of the rights and wrongs of the claims and counter-claims by NM and PC, but no doubt the truth will out eventually. It's just a shame that the debate usually descends into personal abuse, usually with PC the worst offender.
Steve

[yellowduke]

Hi Ned, I have been waiting for your book to come out for ages so get a move on!

I like history and I like to read the history of what I am diving. I have several books relating to Red Sea dive sites and wrecks and appreciate the use of artists impressions and recent photographs. I have a space waiting for your new tome but alas no coffee table.

Looking at the example illustration it does look like the forward starboard Paravane is intact. I know that wasn't the case last year as I was on the NAS Thistlegorm survey April 05 lead by Trevor Jenkins. We photographed the entire wreck from every angle and took video footage too. There is supposed to be a website www.thethistlegorm.com but it doesn't appear to be working.

Jim


Jim

[Jay]

Ned - welcome to the boards. This looks like the sort of book I would gladly spend a few hours poring over but, as mentioned by others, it would depend on the price. Nothing strange in that however - surely we all apply exactly the same rules to most purchases. I look fowards to seeing it published.

[turbanator]

Originally Posted by Jay

- surely we all apply exactly the same rules to most purchases. .

Most of us will pay a bit more if it's shiney!!