Historic Shipwrecks of The Dominican Republic and Haiti Lubos Kordac Book Review

[LM]

This is an exceptional book.

Over the past few years, I've probably spent enough money on TH/Wreck Diving books to fund a damn expedition- they range in quality from worthless fluff to very strong. Dr. Kordacs book is firmly towards the furthest reaches of the latter.

Needless to say, as with any book of this nature, by the time you're reading about a discovered wreck in print, that means someone's already been there and and if anything worthwhile was waiting to be found, there probably isn't anymore. Still, one can't help but be left with the distinct impression that a lot of this information is still very actionable. Dr. Kordac writes in such a way that imparts every possible bit of data 'we' might want, while remaining entirely readable and enjoyable to anyone. This is in that rare class of serious TH books that remains relevant to both the pros and the casual reader. If anyone out there is considered writing a TH book, this is a damn fine model to follow.

DR/Haiti was such an important region in terms of maritime/treasure history yet is surprisingly neglected in terms of available literature. I was thrilled to order this book and wasn't let down. You'll not only learn about the wrecks themselves, but you'll come to understand a great deal about the region and everything associated with its maritime history.

Five strong stars. Buy this book, you won't regret it, but beware... It will probably wind up costing you a trip to the DR to satisfy your curiosity.

[Bobadilla]

Hello LSMorgan,

I would like to thanks you for your very kind words about my book. This kind of comment gives any author sufficient strenght for other researches and underwater investigations.

I do not know you, but I would like to, so whenever you plan to come down to the Dominican Republic, just let me know!

Regards,
Lobo (Bobadilla)

[bikerlawyer]

Where can I get a copy? Planning a trip to the DR as we speak and would like to read it before I go!

[Bobadilla]

Hi Bikerlawyer,

Thanks for your interest. You can get copy of my book from:

www.lulu.com
www.amazon.com
www.workmansbooks.com
www.enrada.com

or you can ask directly Terry Armstrong (aka Signumops on this Forum) in Florida.

Regards,
Lobo

[aquanut]

Bikerlawyer,
Come to the cookout and you can probably have Terry Armstrong deliver it in person
Aquanut

[Alexandre]

"Currently unavailable at Amazon
We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock."

[signumops]

Anybody who wants to buy a copy can get them directly from me if they don't want to buy from EnRada or Workmansbooks, or Lulu. I can take PayPal, or check. I have some copies with me, and I can also dropship any number to anyone, anywhere.... cost changes with postage/freight. PM me with enquiries.

[LM]

Hello LSMorgan,

I would like to thanks you for your very kind words about my book. This kind of comment gives any author sufficient strenght for other researches and underwater investigations.

I do not know you, but I would like to, so whenever you plan to come down to the Dominican Republic, just let me know!

Regards,
Lobo (Bobadilla)

Thanks Dr. Kordac.
I most definitely will make it down there and when I do, the beers/beverages of your choice are on me.

I should say, for the benefit of anyone who might find this post via the search engines, I've never met Mr. Kordac before, am unaffiliated, uncompensated, etc, etc, etc. Just a really good book, wanted to get the word out to other TH'ers who enjoy reading about this stuff. Even the index executed many times better than most of what you encounter today.

I do have a question:
P148-150, shipwrecks of Henry Morgan around Ile a Vache
* The "Oxford" 1669
* Three Ships of 1670
* "Jamaica Merchant" 1673.

Of these ships, what sort of structural remnants remain on the bottom?

[Bobadilla]

Hello LSMorgan,

Regarding Morgan's ships "Oxford", "Jamaica Merchant" and other two ships that could belong to his fleet, there has been heat discussion about these shipwrecks during the last years. You sure know that there are several theories about the final place of "Oxford" - Honduras coast, Belize reef, and so on, but the most probably this ship lies really close to today's Port Morgan in Ille a Vache. No doubt there was several times a meeting spot for Morgan's fleets in this place, Exquemelin describes the tragedy as well and all three teams looking for these shipwrecks in Ille a Vache were sure because their historical researches pointed to this spot as well. The actual discussion about the final rest place of Morgan's flagships is possible only because of the fact that it has not been firmly confirmed so far that the shipwrecks found around Port Morgan were REALLY his ships. No hard evidence, just indirect ones. Couple of weeks ago I discussed this topic with Burt Webber Jr., who was also involved in search for "Oxford" and "Jamaica Merchant" couple of years ago. He told me that the original anchorage was further from the shore, and it could also explain why Klaus Keppler in 1994, team of Ocean Discovery and Ocean Dreams in 1999 and SubSea Research in 2005 after claiming the possible discovery of these shipwrecks could not present any real proof of it.

Regards,
Lobo