Product Description

On Midsummer's Day 1919 the interned German High Seas Fleet was scuttled by their crews at Scapa Flow, Orkney, despite a Royal Navy guard force. Greatly embarrased, the Admiralty nevertheless confidently stated that none of the ships would ever be recovered. Had it not been for the drive and injenuity of one man there is indeed every possibility that they would still be resting on the sea bottom today.

Cox's Navy tells the incredible true story of Ernest Cox, a Wolverhampton-born scrap merchant, who, despite having no prior experience, led the biggest salvage operation in history to recover the ships. The 28,000-ton Hindenburg was the largest ship ever salvaged. Not knowing the boundaries enabled Cox to apply solid common sense and brilliant improvisation, changing forever marine salvage practice during peace and war.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #207739 in Books
• Published on: 2005-07-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

Len Deighton
'It's a super book, a gripping read.'

Wolverhampton Express & Star
'A masterful and fascinating book.'

The Orcadian
'With each page, the reader becomes immersed in the subject, the time period and the characters.'

Customer Reviews

An enthralling book
The topic of this book is about science, courage, overwhelming decision making of a man and a devoted team of men who struggled so much in a gigantic task nobody is aware of nowadays. The feeling of perseverance -the key for success- is almost palpable and well rendered. I have learnt so much because I knew nothing about this particular period of history. The quality of the writting gives a lot of credibility to the book and Mr Booth previous knowledge from his Merchant Navy experience gives a lively atmosphere of the docks. The impact of Cox's amazing and audacious adventure on future salvaging operations is quite striking and McKenzy's role (which I can't tell) in the second World War proved how much Cox's experienced men became precious. For "leaving the paved tracks" (french expression),I congratulate the author Mr Booth. Well done for exploring the history of such an unknown man and rising controversial behaviour from the Royal Navy regarding both the German Fleet and the submarine Thetis.

Overcoming the odds
It has taken a work-horse like Tony Booth to uncover and bring to life a story that has not had justice done to it by previous authors. Neither ships, sea nor engineering hold much appeal to me but if you have the slightest interest in history, human determination or lateral thinking then this book has plenty to offer. The section on the sinking of the submarine HMS Thetis in Liverpool was of great interest. The best aspect of this book is the lesson that just occasionally when the consensus says that something can't be done, one brave soul will prove them all wrong.