BOOK REVIEWS
FOR
SHIPWRECKS & SUNKEN TREASURES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Written by: Tony Wells
FOR
SHIPWRECKS & SUNKEN TREASURES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Written by: Tony Wells
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Ocean Enterprises
This is one of the most interesting books I have read in quite a while, and makes me wonder why I am living in Victoria. It covers over 450 wrecks, including the incredible Flor do Mar, the 'Nanking Cargo' ship Geldermalsen, the ceramic ship Tung Vao, and the Marie Therese.
This is not just a list of treasure wrecks. There is excellent chapters on search techniques and identification of ancient wrecks, the law, maritime archaeology or plundering?, coins and currency, and the shipping trade in South East Asia. Superb book, in full colour with excellent maps. Softcover, 158 pages, 145x225mm.
Anyone in the Down Under area (Australia/New Zealand) can visit and order this book (and many other Shipwreck/Maritime books) from Ocean Enterprises.
*************************************************************************
Treasure Quest Magazine (Winter issue, 1996)
An overview of Southeast Asia's rich maritime history and ships cargo lost through the years. Shows how research is undertaken to find wrecks and how ships/cargo are salvaged. Includes a list of over 450 known wrecks along major trade routes. Exciting reading for both the active wreck hunter and armchair adventurer.
Written by Tony Wells a Treasure Quest Magazine contributor. Tony is a vetern wreck explorer and owner of IRC, a marine services company, in Singapore.
This book is a must for every wreck hunters library. Highly recommended by Treasure Quest.
Asian Diver Magazine (August/September, 1996)
If you are interested in the wrecks and rich historical legacies of the Southeast Asian waters, and are curious about the subject and art of treasure-hunting, look no further.
This book weaves a fascinating story of trading history of this region, which has been the hub of a prosperous maritime trade for many centuries. Readers are introduced to subjects like researching of shipwrecks, the pratical aspects of treasure hunting beneath the sea such as survey and search techniques, and identification of shipwrecks by the articles recovered.
Over 450 wrecks that sank here between the early 1500s and the end of the 19th century, including the Flor do Mar, are listed and described briefly according to country, in the last chapter. The book explores some of the reasons why the ships sank, and gives account of the treasures that still lie buried in these waters. The reader is also updated about recent discoveries and excavations of shipwrecks in the region.
Included is an eyewitness account of the search for the fabulous Flor do Mar, which sank almost five centuries ago laden with the riches of the Malacca sultanate.
*************************************************************************
GARUDA READING (in-flight magazine) (Febuary, 1996)
Few things capture the imagination as readily as fables of shipwrecks, pirates and buried treasures. Buccaneers and bandanna-clad swashbucklers recurred in countless childhood dreams while many of us remember our delight at reading Treasure Island and tales of adventure on the high seas of the plundering of gold and jewels deep below them.
Tony Wells is a professional diver of 15 years experience who runs a Singapore-based company called Searchmasters which specializes in maritime research and archarologucal services, underwater photography, and hydrographical survey.
He has written a fascinating book in Shipwreck and Sunken Treasure in Southeast Asia - one that appeals to the treasure seeker in us all.
While many books have been written on lost ships, wrecks and sunken treasures located in Europe, North and South America and the Carribean, the author laments the fact that none - to his knowledge - focuses on the great wrecks of Southeast Asia, dispite the fact that the region has, for centuries, been part of the great trading route from West to East with thousands of ships plying the waters.
Wells has finally put the record straight. His passion for wrecks in Southeast Asia and the book details more than 450 of them dating from the 16th century onwards and including the intriguing story of the Flor do Mar or Flower of the Sea.
Wells was a diver working on a salvage team in 1989-1991, attempting to recover the ship and its rich cargo estimated to be worth anything from $1 billion to $80 billion.
Recounting the history of the ship, Wells writes: "In 1511, Admiral Alfonso de Albequerque sailed from Goa in India to Malacca in a fleet of ships to rescue his captured men and capture the city. One of the ships was the 'old and unseaworthy' Flor do Mar of Flower of the Sea. When Malacca was finally captured after fuerce fighting, Albuquerque himself said that there spoils were, 'The richest treasure on earth that I have ever seen'.
This rich treasure included more than 60 tons of gold booty of all different shaped and sizes, including gilded furniture and the Sultan's throne. Ingots and coinage came from the Sultan's palace alone. An equal amount of gold was also pillaged from the rich merchants of Malacca, most of whom were murdered or had fled the city. More than 200 cheses of emeralds, rubies, sapphires and other precious stones were also included in the spoils.
"In December 1511, the Flor do Mar and three other vessels loaded with Malacca's treasures began the long sea voyage back to Portugal via Goa. However, they encountered a storm near the northern coast on Sumatra which sent the Flor do Mar and two othe ships to the bottom with all their riches".
While not wanting to reveal the results of this salvage operation, suffice to say that the anatomy of the painstaking search for a wreck makes interesting reading.
Wells provides a brief maritime history of the region and the ships that came from as far as Europe, Arabia, India and the Americas over the past 2000 years. He considers why ships sank, the researching of wrecks and how to identify wrecks, while offering practical advice on the business and art of search and salvage.
A country-by-country guide to the wrecks of Asia provides potted history of, and a chronological guide to, the sunken vessels. It attempts to provide as many details as possible on the wrecks; identifying their country of origin, the year they sank, their weight, cargo, the site or last known position of the ships, the vessels' intended destinations, and loss of life.
A ship index provides quick access to specific vessels and includes, where known, the name, nationality, year and region lost, and the page on which the wreck appears.
A bibliography provides a good reference point for those newly bitten by the shipwreck bug.
Wrecks are not buried monoliths to Wells and his enthusiasm for things maritime permeates this book and makes it a very readable account. It is a clear-eyed book that does not fall prey to avarice and the riches of the deep.
"In writing this book, I hope that Southeastern countries, working in conjunction with reputable salvage companies and marine archaeologists, will bring to light new and exciting finds. By co-operating, we have nothing to lose and everything to gain because these unique objects have been sitting on the seabed for centuries," he says. One can only agree.
*************************************************************************
THE STRAITS TIMES (August 26, 1995)
A fascinating story of the trading history of the Spice Route. Includes an eyewitness account of the hunt for one of the most famous shipwrecks ever to take place in southeast Asia - Flor Do Mar, which sank almost five centuries ago.
Tony Wells runs a company here which does maritime research.
This is one of the most interesting books I have read in quite a while, and makes me wonder why I am living in Victoria. It covers over 450 wrecks, including the incredible Flor do Mar, the 'Nanking Cargo' ship Geldermalsen, the ceramic ship Tung Vao, and the Marie Therese.
This is not just a list of treasure wrecks. There is excellent chapters on search techniques and identification of ancient wrecks, the law, maritime archaeology or plundering?, coins and currency, and the shipping trade in South East Asia. Superb book, in full colour with excellent maps. Softcover, 158 pages, 145x225mm.
Anyone in the Down Under area (Australia/New Zealand) can visit and order this book (and many other Shipwreck/Maritime books) from Ocean Enterprises.
*************************************************************************
Treasure Quest Magazine (Winter issue, 1996)
An overview of Southeast Asia's rich maritime history and ships cargo lost through the years. Shows how research is undertaken to find wrecks and how ships/cargo are salvaged. Includes a list of over 450 known wrecks along major trade routes. Exciting reading for both the active wreck hunter and armchair adventurer.
Written by Tony Wells a Treasure Quest Magazine contributor. Tony is a vetern wreck explorer and owner of IRC, a marine services company, in Singapore.
This book is a must for every wreck hunters library. Highly recommended by Treasure Quest.
Asian Diver Magazine (August/September, 1996)
If you are interested in the wrecks and rich historical legacies of the Southeast Asian waters, and are curious about the subject and art of treasure-hunting, look no further.
This book weaves a fascinating story of trading history of this region, which has been the hub of a prosperous maritime trade for many centuries. Readers are introduced to subjects like researching of shipwrecks, the pratical aspects of treasure hunting beneath the sea such as survey and search techniques, and identification of shipwrecks by the articles recovered.
Over 450 wrecks that sank here between the early 1500s and the end of the 19th century, including the Flor do Mar, are listed and described briefly according to country, in the last chapter. The book explores some of the reasons why the ships sank, and gives account of the treasures that still lie buried in these waters. The reader is also updated about recent discoveries and excavations of shipwrecks in the region.
Included is an eyewitness account of the search for the fabulous Flor do Mar, which sank almost five centuries ago laden with the riches of the Malacca sultanate.
*************************************************************************
GARUDA READING (in-flight magazine) (Febuary, 1996)
Few things capture the imagination as readily as fables of shipwrecks, pirates and buried treasures. Buccaneers and bandanna-clad swashbucklers recurred in countless childhood dreams while many of us remember our delight at reading Treasure Island and tales of adventure on the high seas of the plundering of gold and jewels deep below them.
Tony Wells is a professional diver of 15 years experience who runs a Singapore-based company called Searchmasters which specializes in maritime research and archarologucal services, underwater photography, and hydrographical survey.
He has written a fascinating book in Shipwreck and Sunken Treasure in Southeast Asia - one that appeals to the treasure seeker in us all.
While many books have been written on lost ships, wrecks and sunken treasures located in Europe, North and South America and the Carribean, the author laments the fact that none - to his knowledge - focuses on the great wrecks of Southeast Asia, dispite the fact that the region has, for centuries, been part of the great trading route from West to East with thousands of ships plying the waters.
Wells has finally put the record straight. His passion for wrecks in Southeast Asia and the book details more than 450 of them dating from the 16th century onwards and including the intriguing story of the Flor do Mar or Flower of the Sea.
Wells was a diver working on a salvage team in 1989-1991, attempting to recover the ship and its rich cargo estimated to be worth anything from $1 billion to $80 billion.
Recounting the history of the ship, Wells writes: "In 1511, Admiral Alfonso de Albequerque sailed from Goa in India to Malacca in a fleet of ships to rescue his captured men and capture the city. One of the ships was the 'old and unseaworthy' Flor do Mar of Flower of the Sea. When Malacca was finally captured after fuerce fighting, Albuquerque himself said that there spoils were, 'The richest treasure on earth that I have ever seen'.
This rich treasure included more than 60 tons of gold booty of all different shaped and sizes, including gilded furniture and the Sultan's throne. Ingots and coinage came from the Sultan's palace alone. An equal amount of gold was also pillaged from the rich merchants of Malacca, most of whom were murdered or had fled the city. More than 200 cheses of emeralds, rubies, sapphires and other precious stones were also included in the spoils.
"In December 1511, the Flor do Mar and three other vessels loaded with Malacca's treasures began the long sea voyage back to Portugal via Goa. However, they encountered a storm near the northern coast on Sumatra which sent the Flor do Mar and two othe ships to the bottom with all their riches".
While not wanting to reveal the results of this salvage operation, suffice to say that the anatomy of the painstaking search for a wreck makes interesting reading.
Wells provides a brief maritime history of the region and the ships that came from as far as Europe, Arabia, India and the Americas over the past 2000 years. He considers why ships sank, the researching of wrecks and how to identify wrecks, while offering practical advice on the business and art of search and salvage.
A country-by-country guide to the wrecks of Asia provides potted history of, and a chronological guide to, the sunken vessels. It attempts to provide as many details as possible on the wrecks; identifying their country of origin, the year they sank, their weight, cargo, the site or last known position of the ships, the vessels' intended destinations, and loss of life.
A ship index provides quick access to specific vessels and includes, where known, the name, nationality, year and region lost, and the page on which the wreck appears.
A bibliography provides a good reference point for those newly bitten by the shipwreck bug.
Wrecks are not buried monoliths to Wells and his enthusiasm for things maritime permeates this book and makes it a very readable account. It is a clear-eyed book that does not fall prey to avarice and the riches of the deep.
"In writing this book, I hope that Southeastern countries, working in conjunction with reputable salvage companies and marine archaeologists, will bring to light new and exciting finds. By co-operating, we have nothing to lose and everything to gain because these unique objects have been sitting on the seabed for centuries," he says. One can only agree.
*************************************************************************
THE STRAITS TIMES (August 26, 1995)
A fascinating story of the trading history of the Spice Route. Includes an eyewitness account of the hunt for one of the most famous shipwrecks ever to take place in southeast Asia - Flor Do Mar, which sank almost five centuries ago.
Tony Wells runs a company here which does maritime research.