Laura W. (Crazy4books) reviewed The Sea Shall Embrace Them: The Tragic Story of the Steamship Arctic on + 88 more book reviews
Lovers of maritime history will enjoy this book.
Leo T. reviewed The Sea Shall Embrace Them: The Tragic Story of the Steamship Arctic on + 1775 more book reviews
The Arctic was a passenger ship that collided with another ship in 1854 on the Grand Banks (off Newfoundland), broke up, and only the hardiest survived by clinging to flotsam and jetsom. It was a matter of good fortune, for example, when Captain Luce was hard by the wooden housing of a paddle wheel when it arose from the sea because of the air it contained when the ship went down. But it struck and killed his son Willie when it popped up. The description of how Captain Luce rigged a rope to hold onto as it bobbed like a cockle shell with a few others standing in a row behind him to keep it in balance while they were up to their waists in water and had to watch others drown is gripping.
The author actually earns a living with his pen, residing in New England, and writing for yachting magazines. He emphasizes the technology, then cutting edge, in the ship and in details such as the patent life preservers, some of which were useless.
The Author's Note is essential reading. There were numerous survivors (but no women and kids) who gave testimony that was quoted at length in the newspapers, giving Mr. Shaw actual quotes on what was said during and after the sinking. He notes that is why he offers less detail about the what transpired earlier--it was not part of the record. His Glossary seems to me to be superfluous--readers of this book generally have some familiarity with the terms thus explained: Abeam, Bilge, Latitude, Waterline. The Appendix is a contemporary poem, reprinted says Mr. Shaw, to show the feelings of the public about the disaster.
Contemporary illustrations, a limited bibliography, maps, and index.
The author actually earns a living with his pen, residing in New England, and writing for yachting magazines. He emphasizes the technology, then cutting edge, in the ship and in details such as the patent life preservers, some of which were useless.
The Author's Note is essential reading. There were numerous survivors (but no women and kids) who gave testimony that was quoted at length in the newspapers, giving Mr. Shaw actual quotes on what was said during and after the sinking. He notes that is why he offers less detail about the what transpired earlier--it was not part of the record. His Glossary seems to me to be superfluous--readers of this book generally have some familiarity with the terms thus explained: Abeam, Bilge, Latitude, Waterline. The Appendix is a contemporary poem, reprinted says Mr. Shaw, to show the feelings of the public about the disaster.
Contemporary illustrations, a limited bibliography, maps, and index.
