BOOK REVIEW
Discover the true stories of lost ships and what they’re like now
A must-have for wreck anglers.
‘Supplement to South Coast Shipwrecks off East Dorset & Wight 1870-1979’ by David Wendes, 159 pages. Price: £20 ISBN 0955459222.
Some of you will remember a very good friend of mine, Lymington based Roger Bayzand, one of the UK’s top charter skippers. Roger emigrated to Australia some years ago, but before he went he wrote an article in Sea Angler magazine, published in March 2007 on a new wreck book.
Written by dive boat skipper Dave Wendes, also based in Lymington, Hampshire, it was called ‘South Coast Shipwrecks off East Dorset & Wight 1870-1979’.
Roger said: “Years of teamwork have resulted in a gem of a book that is not only a bible for divers exploring wrecks…but a valuable reference book for boat anglers too.”
The book contained details of more than 170 wrecks, giving accurate positions for most of them, covering the sea area between 1° and 2° west, and as far south as mid-English Channel. That’s quite a big area of sea. It excluded inshore wrecks east and south east of the Isle of Wight.
Now, Dave Wendes has produced a followup book called ‘Supplement to: South Coast Shipwrecks off East Dorset & Wight 1870-1979’. I’ve just received my copy, and it follows exactly the same size, style and format as the original.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
At this point I must state that it is not a reprint, but contains details of an additional 37 wrecks, with accurate positions for 26 of them. There are new wreck identifications, more historic images of ships and crew, as well as some stunning underwater colour images.
Looking at the size of some of the machinery on these wrecks it’s no wonder we anglers lose so much gear on them. Writing from Australia after receiving his copy, Roger said: “Why would a book about sunken shipwrecks be of interest to sea anglers? Because shipwrecks are often an oasis in a barren seabed that holds concentrations of resident and migratory fish, thus the accurate position of a wreck is gold to an angling skipper.”
He continued: “Dave Wendes is a diver and skipper who has spent many years hunting and researching wrecks off the central part of the English Channel and his first book ‘South Coast Shipwrecks’ was well received by anglers because it revealed the position of several previously unknown wrecks.”
FASCINATING PHOTOGRAPHS
“Dave’s latest offering adds even more wrecks in detail and gives more about the identity and history of these sinkings. From a wreck fishing skipper’s perspective, I was fascinated by the underwater photographs of the wreckage as it stands today , as well as the side-scan images that show the extent and orientation of the wrecks. This can be vital information when positioning your boat to get the best fishing”.
Roger concluded: “I also found that my customers were really interested in the history and tales behind the wrecks. This latest book contains many photos of the vessels whilst still afloat. These give anglers much more of a graphic image of the ship rather than just a lump on the seabed. If you have just a slight interest in maritime history you will find ‘Supplement to South Coast Shipwrecks’ a fascinating read.”
This is indeed a fine supplement to the original, as not only are more wrecks identified, details are given of how they are orientated, how high they stand, the nature of the surrounding seabed, and, most important of all, precisely where they are. This is all extremely useful information for wreck fishing.
There is also fascinating information describing how these wrecks were identified. The new book is a worthy addition to the original, and as the title says, it’s intended to supplement it. It certainly does that.
As such it’s a must for those keen on wreck fishing or interested in shipwrecks. It’s produced in good quality softback for £20. The original is still available at £25, and Dave is offering a discount price if you want both books, while stocks last, for a combined price of £35, a gsaving of £10. Post and packaging costs £4.50.
The two books combined give details of more than 200 wrecks, all painstakingly and thoroughly researched and, in most cases, dived on by the author.
Books are available via Dave’s website: www.wightspirit.co.uk.