Product Description

"The Egyptian sector of the Red Sea" provides scuba divers with their finest opportunity to explore the most outstanding collection of shipwrecks found anywhere in the world. No other country is able to boast such a fine assortment in a relatively confined area and in constant conditions of warm clear water. The wreck of the Thistlegorm has consistently remained the world's most visited dive site for the past ten years. This well researched and heavily illustrated work contains details of seventeen wrecks, ten of which have never been described or illustrated before in any book. A final chapter includes miscellaneous shipwrecks, providing a solid research base for any one wishing to know more of the story behind these epic sites. Each ship is described in detail and illustrated in its final glory, a narrative of each ship's last journey is provided as well as diving details - personally researched by the author - giving underwater descriptions of each vessel - from one end of the ship to the other. Finally, the artist's stunning impression of each shipwreck in its entirety concludes each individual ship's chapter.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #43647 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-18
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 160 pages

From the Author
From the Author

Underwater Publication of the year for 2007!

Finally published in October 2006 after 9 years of painstaking research, the shipwrecks detailed in this work rate amongst the greatest in the world. They includes vessels from the 19th Century such as the "Carnatic" lost in 1869, right up to those which foundered in the late 20th Century - such as the "Million Hope" in 1996. They also include the legendary "Thistlegorm" which has become the world's most visited underwater location.

There are nineteen major featured shipwrecks - including two which are only recently discovered. Each of these is exposed in minute detail in terms of the ship's history, dimensions, machinery and cargo with the inclusion of whatever historic photographs are available. Then we have an account of that all-important final voyage which provides the reason why each vessel is found where she is today - underwater. Finally, I have included a personal description of each wreck - from stem to stern, as part of my own overall survey of each craft. None of these wrecks were deliberately sunk as diving attractions, so each one has its own very unique story to tell.

I have then added much shorter accounts of another eighteen vessels which were too small to be classified as ships - tugboats, barges etc. Whilst not significant ships in their own right, each of these is still able to provide an enjoyable dive. Finally, I have included the briefest possible details of approx. 250 additional ships names which relate to vessels that are either not yet discovered, far too deep, lost elsewhere in the Red Sea or, in some cases, never even existed...

Several important factors set this book apart from other works; Firstly, accuracy of information. Each subject shipwreck has been studied and scrutinised in minute detail to provide the reader with the best possible assessment. Secondly, Rico Oldfield - a marine artist of the highest possible calibre, has illustrated each of the major shipwrecks. So that he could produce artwork of the utmost standard, each of the main shipwrecks was photographed from end to end in order to produce an accurate montage from which he was able work. The result has now moved shipwreck guides for scuba divers onto a new and higher plane.

Altogether, the work contains some 62,000 words, 23 individual works of art, 34 historic photographs, 125 original colour photographs plus 3 charts.

With plenty of new information about some of the world's most popular wrecks and many myths destroyed, this book has already proved to be an excellent read for diver and non-diver alike. Do enjoy.

My very best wishes.

Ned Middleton

About the Author
Ned Middleton is a well known diving expert and has written extensively for magazines all over the world. This is his fourth book. Rico Oldfield is an outstanding marine artist. His work is regularly reproduced in specialist diving magazines both here and abroad.

Customer Reviews

The definitive work
I have dived Egypt's wrecks every year for the passed 12 years sometimes twice a year. I take photos and I read up all I can find to learn all there is to learn. Some of what I have read has been rubbish because the facts in the maritime museum are different from what is written in some magazines and books. Ned Middleton doesn't make mistakes like that because he checks his facts before writing anything at all. I didn't want to spend as much as £35 on a book when I thought I knew all there was to know about these wrecks but I was wrong because I hadn't even heard of the first wreck and I thought the Zingara was the Kormorant. I learnt something about every wreck I thought I knew and then some. The bit at the back with all those ships names is great reading. Gave me an idea for taking are club out looking for something new. I still didn't pay for it though, I got it as a birthday present. Best book I ever got.

Diver magazine described this book as the definitive work on the subject. I didn't know what that meant so I looked it up. It means authoritative, ultimate, perfect, best, classic, state of the art. This book is all those things and the artwork is something Bob Ballard would have been proud of.

Ultimate Reference Book for Red Sea Wrecks
Whether you are planning a trip to the Red Sea or you like to sit in your couch and dream about past dive trips, this book - with its extensive research and coverage - will take you there. Whether you are an avid wreck diver or not, a trip to the Red Sea is not complete without some or a lot of wreck diving. This book is a must to help you plan your trip and make the most out of your diving experience. Personally, I love to go through the pages and dream... Great Xmas gift!!!

Phenomenal
This book is amazing! Packed with hundreds of beautiful photos and paintings, in-depth discussions of each shipwreck and definatly more than worth the money you pay for it.
The text is full of insight about shipwrecks we, as divers, visit whilst perusing our passion, it really is opening my eyes and making me pay even more attention to the things I am seeing underwater.

Fantastic.