Treasure Islands

Uncover Scotland's hidden riches—the stories and secrets of her island treasures

Adventure, mystery, and untold wealth in Scotland's maritime heritage

About the Ebook

An extraordinary true story of danger, innovation and deep sea discovery.In 1971 Alec Crawford is determined to make his fortune from ship salvage. Early attempts lead nowhere until he teams up with a new partner, Simon Martin. Diving in Hebridean waters, they explore remains of the Spanish Armada, and the wreck of the SS Politician, the vessel made famous in the Whisky Galore. But money is scarce and irregular, and the work is fraught with danger and disappointment.

Until they hear of one of the most incredible wrecks of all time – the White Star Liner Oceanic, which, when built in 1899, was the biggest and most luxurious ship in the world. Widely regarded as an 'undiveable' wreck, lying somewhere off the remote island of Foula, they decide to take the challenge. They face unbelievably dangerous waters and appalling weather conditions, and when a large salvage company takes action against them, they also have a huge legal fight on their hands. But if they succeed, the rewards will be enormous…

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• Discover the legendary treasures and riches sought by adventurers and explorers
• Learn Scotland's fascinating connection to global trade and seafaring history
• Explore real historical mysteries that capture the imagination
• Read another celebrated title from Birlinn Ltd - Independent Scottish Publisher

'Absorbing — Crawford writes of difficult and very dangerous work with a good deal of sangfroid. Good humour and an absence of hyperbole make this an unusually likeable memoir' The Scotsman

'Crawford pioneered many of the methods now used in deep sea recovery — this book is also a love song to Scotland and a vanishing way of life' Sorted Magazine

'Crawford is a born story-teller, and his tales unfold as easily and naturally as if he were an old friend' The Shetland Times

'Alec Crawford is the underwater version of Robert Louis Stevenson with his incredible stories of the many wrecks he has dived' Stornoway Gazette

About the Author

Alec Crawford has spent his whole career in the world of marine salvage in various locations around the world, including the UK, USA, Vietnam, South Africa and all through the Mediterranean. He has also been actively involved in the development of salvage technology, including an environmental oil removal system that was used to remove oil from shipwrecks, which was highlighted in the Timewatch documentary, The Lost Liner and the Empire’s Gold.

Publication Details

Publisher: Birlinn Ltd

Publication Date: 03 September 2020

Print Length: 256 pages (Ebook edition)

ISBN (Ebook): 9781788852845

Format: Ebook

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