Marine Books

Batavia's Graveyard Mike Dash. When the Dutch East Indiaman Batavia struck an uncharted reef off the new continent of Australia on her maiden voyage in 1629, 332 men, women and children were on board. While some headed off in a lifeboat to seek help, 250 of the survivors ended up on a tiny coral island less than half a mile long. A band of mutineers, whose motives were almost beyond comprehension, then started on a cold-blooded killing spree, leaving fewer than 80 people alive when the rescue boat arrived three months later. BATAVIA'S GRAVEYARD tells this strange story as a gripping narrative structured around three strong principal characters: Francisco Pelsaert, the cultivated but weak-willed captain; Jeronimus Cornelisz, a sinister apothecary with a terrifying personal philosophy influenced by Rosicrucianism who set himself up as the ruler of the island; and Wiebbe Hayes, the only survivor with the courage to fight Jeronimus's band. The background to these events, including the story of the Dutch East India Company, and the discovery of Australia, is richly drawn.The true story of the mead heretic who led history's bloodiest mutiny. 446pp.	$29.95	Add to Cart
Castaway Douglas R G Sellick. The stories told here actually happened; none is imaginary; none is embellished; all are more fantastic than fiction and are little known. These true tales of nineteenth-century survival reveal the terror, the horror, the dark truths about human nature, the limits of courage and the fragility of life, about people who have been abandoned to the sea, and the ultimate joy of rescue. 272 pp.	$24.95	Add to Cart
Islands of Angry Ghosts In 1629, the Dutch East India merchantman, the Batavia was wrecked on reef islands off the West Australian coast while on a routine trip to Indonesia. What followed this disaster is a harrowing tale of desertion, betrayal and murder. Over 125 men, women and children were murdered by mutineers caught in a frenzy of bloodlust and greed. By the time the rescue ship finally arrived, months later, the marooned were caught in a desperate battle between soldiers trying to defend the survivors and the mutineers who were desperate to leave no witnesses... Over three hundred years later, Hugh Edwards, a West Australian reporter and diving enthusiast, started to search for the lost ship. When they finally found it, they discovered the final piece of a story that has gripped Australians for over a century, and a vital link in our history. Island of Angry Ghosts is a story in two parts. The first half traces the final months of the Batavia and her crew, pieced together through journals, letters and trial records. And the second half follows Hugh Edwards and the crew of divers that found, and salvaged, the treasure of the Batavia.	$32.95	Add to Cart
The Lost Men Kelly Tyler-Lewis. Sir Ernest Shackleton set out to make history with the first crossing of the Antarctic continent. Shackleton sailed into Weddell Sea on the Endurance while his supply ship Aurora sailed to the Ross Sea to establish a lifeline of supply depots. This is the story of 10 men from the Aurora stranded ashore with little more than what they were wearing and their battle for survival and accomplishment of their assignment.	$24.95	Add to Cart
Port of Pearls Hugh Edwards. Broome in Western Australia has an incredible history, one which has braved the force of war and dangers of a declining agricultural heritage. Known for its rich natural background, cyclones and sharks are among its less friendly of occupants, but the pearling business which at one time floundered with the introduction of the plastic button, is once again booming. Locally cultured pearls are now the biggest and best in the world and the industry is worth millions of dollars annually. Hugh Edwards’ historical and contemporary insights into Broome make a fitting tribute to this resilient Australian town.	$29.95	Add to Cart

Islands of Angry Ghosts