Shipwrecks & Salvage in South Africa: 1505 to the Present by Malcolm Turner

Shipwrecks & Salvage in South Africa: 1505 to the Present by Malcolm Turner is a substantial and highly useful reference work on the dramatic maritime history of the South African coastline. Published by C. Struik in 1988, this illustrated volume documents almost 1,000 shipwrecks spanning nearly five centuries, beginning with the earliest recorded Portuguese wreck off South Africa in 1505 and continuing into the twentieth century.

Turner explores not only individual wrecks but also the broader history of navigation, shipbuilding, maritime disasters and salvage operations. South Africa’s notoriously hazardous coastline has claimed vessels from the age of Portuguese exploration and the Dutch East India Company through the era of sailing ships and into modern commercial shipping. Shipwrecks & Salvage examines the circumstances surrounding many of these losses and the subsequent attempts to locate and salvage their remains.

Generously illustrated with historical and contemporary photographs, maps, drawings and other documentary material, Shipwrecks & Salvage is particularly valuable to collectors and researchers interested in South African maritime history, underwater archaeology, diving, treasure and salvage, historical shipping and Africana.

Three useful appendices arrange the recorded shipwrecks alphabetically, chronologically and geographically, making this considerably more than a general history. Shipwrecks & Salvage remains a valuable reference for identifying wrecks and researching the extraordinary maritime heritage surrounding the South African coast.

Condition – Fair

Boards show noticeable edge and corner wear with some rubbing. Internally generally sound with age-toning and previous owner pencil notations. Dust jacket is poor, with tears, edge wear, losses, foxing and extensive old tape repairs.