Shipwrecked!: Diving for Hidden Time Capsules on the Ocean Floor

by Martin W. Sandler

Most of the world’s ocean floor remains to be discovered. In fact, it’s estimated to be home to over 3 million sunken vessels and countless treasures of the past. This nonfiction book recounts some of the most captivating shipwrecks from history, ranging from the Shinan, a Chinese merchant ship laden with riches from the 14th century, to the HMS Erebus and Terror, two polar exploration ships that mysteriously disappeared in the early 1800s. Combining new research, stunning archival material, and vivid storytelling, Shipwrecked! dives deep into the world of marine archaeology and shows readers what each discovery reveals about the world before our time.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Middle Grade, Science, Archaeology, Historical, Adventure

138 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2023

About the author

Martin W. Sandler has written more than seventy books for children and adults and has written and produced seven television series. He has twice been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and has won multiple Emmy Awards. He lives in Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Nataliya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suppose this book, complete with the excited exclamation mark in the title (it’s Shipwrecked!, yay!) is written for young readers, but it kept me - or at least my inner child - decently entertained nevertheless.

Shipwrecks apparently can be fascinating as a means to conduct underwater archaeology, a window to the past preserved by the ocean.

Sandler focuses on a few of these: Antikythera shipwreck with its richness of antique statues and a pretty amazing artifact/ancient computer known as the Antikythera Mechanism (Greece, dating from the 1st century BCE), Cape Gelidoniya shipwreck (Turkey, from the Bronze Age around the 13th century BCE), Shinan shipwreck (South Korea, a treasure ship from the 14th century CE), The Mary Rose (Great Britain, the favorite warship of Henry VIII that sunk in 1545 during a battle with the French), São José Paquete de Africa (South Africa, a slave trade ship that sunk in 1794, taking hundreds of innocent captured people with it while the captain got away), The Hunley (USA, the confederate submarine that sunk in 1864, the first submarine to sink an enemy ship in combat - and to perish doing that), The Erebus and The Terror (the Arctic, Franklin expedition — British ships that were lost in the 1840s while searching for the Northwest Passage), as well as brief mentions of a few other interesting shipwrecks that the readers can research.

“Just before departing, Bass consulted with a number of land archaeologists whose opinions he valued. And he was not happy to hear what they had to say. Most of them told him they were absolutely convinced that archaeology beneath the sea was impossible and could never become an exact science. “Nothing much could be preserved underwater,” they declared, adding that “it’s not possible to execute proper archaeological plans underwater.”

Sandler touches on the beginnings of underwater archaeology here in a pretty engaging way. Apparently sponge divers were the true heroes of the early days of the discipline, having had deep diving experience in the time before specialized equipment. And the more recent aids in underwater archaeology - exosuit, Scuba, sonar - also get a mention. It’s not overly complicated, accessible and with a good selection of photos illustrating the text.

Overall interesting even for readers outside of the target age range. 4 stars.

(And right as I was finishing this review, I found a National Geographic documentary about the Franklin expedition — the one from The Erebus and The Terror ships. Go figure…)
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Thanks to NetGalley and Astra Publishing House for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Also posted on my blog.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

“… a fascinating look at what shipwrecks reveal about our world’s past—and how exploring them led to the development of a whole new field of marine archaeology.“

Aimed at young readers, apparently. I am unsure at what age group this is aimed exactly, but it‘s a lot of fairly dry text for YA. I also think this is probably only something for readers that already have a stronger interest in this or related topics. Suitable for grown-ups as well! Nice illustrations.

3.5/5 — ⛵️⛵️⛵️½

More about the single chapters:

The first chapter looks at a shipwreck off the coast of the Greek island Antikythera in 1901. An analog computer from 200 BC, how cool is that? My favourite parts were the additional texts talking about sponge diving and the exosuit.

Chapter two, a Bronze Age shipwreck at Cape Gelidonya, Turkey. Great intro into the advent of marine biology.

With Chapter 3 we are moving away from the Mediterranean and to South Korean waters. Great additional text about Korean Sea Women. I saw a documentary about them once and hugely enjoyed it.

Chapter 4 brings us back to Europa and the Tudors. Quite a long chapter on general history, a naval battle and the shipwreck of the Mary Rose. Interesting, including the text about human remains.

Chapter 5 deals with a slave ship that sank close to Cape Town. A more gruesome and emotionally harder to stomach chapter.

Chapter 6 covers unusual ground—a submarine from the US Civil War. Clive Cussler makes an appearance and I think I might have read a book by Cussler with a Confederate submarine… not absolutely sure though. Interesting to read that he was involved in this in real life.

Chapter 7 is the Erebus and the Terror. Finally ships that I know! Fascinating look into new technologies, for example 3-D mapping of the ocean floor.

A last chapter mentions various wrecks in shorter passages. At the end is an index, which I find very useful.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher or author through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to give a positive review.

[Joseph Lellman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this audiobook was pretty good, but it seemed like the specific wrecks that the author spoke about were not linked in any way. It seemed like the book came to a fairly abrupt end; I'm sure that there must be hundreds of interesting wrecks that he could have discussed. I hope this isn't being too critical.

[Sabrina MacKerell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This nonfiction title focuses on the new field of Marine Archaeology, where archaeologists, scientists, and researchers work together to uncover sunken ships and their artifacts in order to learn more about the history and people who traveled on these ships. The title outlines seven major archaeological expeditions, including Antikythera, Cape Gelidonya, Shinan, São José Paquete de África, The Hunley, and The Erebus. Advanced technology, especially with magnetometers, have allowed for current research to take place and for archaeologists to find these lost ships. These ships are time capsules and underwater museums. For example, they have found intact musical instruments, never before known to man. One of the most interesting things was a device found off the coast of Antikythera, that was used for tracking the moon and stars, calendars, etc. It is known as the world’s first computer. This is from 2,000 years ago!
These wrecks, and the stories behind them, are told through engaging narratives. Sandler weaves together historical events, archaeological exploration, and the advances in diving technology that have made these discoveries possible. It also highlights the need to preserve these artifacts not only for their historical significance but also as a way of connecting us to past cultures and events. The book includes real photographs from the wreck sites, offering a visual look at what lies beneath the surface of the world's oceans.
This book would be best for middle school students. The writing is best suited for ages 10-14, as it explains complex topics in an accessible way, providing photographs and definitions when necessary. Teachers could utilize this text by focusing on one expedition at a time and highlighting the stories and artifacts that were found. For example, São José Paquete de África is a ship that crossed the Middle Passage with thousands of enslaved Africans. Artifacts found include shackles and bones of diseased people. This shipwreck would help students understand the horrendous journey that these people went through and could be used alongside a unit about slavery and the slave trade. It also would be useful for a history course, as it emphasizes the importance of uncovering and preserving artifacts that offer glimpses into our past.
I found this title on the Wakelet for the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal. It was an honor book in 2024. I read an ebook on Libby.
This quote sums up this text and the importance of continuing Marine Archaeology -- “Earth was misnamed - it is a water planet. More than that it is a saltwater planet. Nearly three-quarters of it is ocean and it is still unexplored” (Alexander McKee, p. 74).

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're interested in marine archaeology, then SHIPWRECKED! is the book for you. Although it's geared toward middle-grade readers, it's perfect for adults as well since it doesn't dumb anything down or even simplify its prose for kids. In fact, the writing gets fairly dense at points, which may be a little dull for younger readers. Still, it's a compelling, informative book on a fascinating subject. I enjoyed it.

The book is divided into nine sections. The first seven each deal with one sunken ship while the eighth describes two that were traveling together and sunk in the same area. Sandler gives a brief history of each vessel, explains how it sunk (as far as it is known), how its remains were discovered, what was recovered from the wreck, and how the artifacts advanced human knowledge in a variety of areas. The final section names nine more wrecks that are worth studying further, which are discussed briefly in 2-3 paragraphs each. Many photographs and drawings are included, adding color and detail to the text. Although I've read a fair number of books about doomed ship voyages, I'd only heard of three of the ships included in the book: the Erebus, the Terror, and the Endurance. That made the book more intriguing than expected for me.

Sandler also explains the development of the discipline of marine archaeology, describing its origins, pioneering explorers, technological developments, and more. Since the wrecks highlighted in the book were found all over the world, he also talks about their special value to different countries and cultures. The most moving part of SHIPWRECKED is, not surprisingly, the section describing the very personal ongoing study of slave ships by Black divers and historians. I also find the female divers of Jeju, South Korea, incredibly interesting, so I was glad to see them get a mention as well.

Although I did get information overload in a few places, causing my eyes to glaze over a tad, for the most part I found SHIPWRECKED fascinating and informative. I'd definitely recommend it to any child or adult who's interested in marine archaeology.

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shipwrecked! Diving for Hidden Time Capsules on the Ocean Floor by Martin W. Sandler is scheduled for release tomorrow, October 31 2023. Most of the world’s ocean floor remains to be discovered. In fact, it’s estimated to be home to over 3 million sunken vessels and countless treasures of the past. This enthralling and adventure-filled nonfiction book for young readers recounts some of the most captivating shipwrecks from history, ranging from the Shinan, a Chinese merchant ship laden with riches from the 14th century, to the the HMS Erebus and Terror, two polar exploration ships that mysteriously disappeared in the early 1800s. Combining new research, stunning archival material, and vivid storytelling, Shipwrecked! dives deep into the world of marine archaeology and shows young readers what each discovery reveals about the world before our time.

Shipwrecked! is an interesting introduction the topic of shipwrecks and their discoveries. I think that this book is for young readers that already have an interest in the subject matter, and adults that are looking for a solid introduction. I have always been fascinated with archeology, and marine archeology is fascinating although not the specialty I wanted to explore back in the day. The book focused on the history of the ships and their owners, not just the wrecks and salvage. I was engaged while reading the book, and I learned a great deal. However, I think younger readers might loose interest if this is not something they are already interested in. Sometimes it read a bit dry, and I could see some losing focus. I was disappointed in the lack of maps, but I was very appreciative of the index, brief notes on other shipwrecks, bibliography, and other back matter.

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A look at the history and development of marine archaeology through the lens of key shipwreck discoveries and research into them. Sandler shares what discoveries at some of these sites have taught us about past cultures, technological development, and history.

I like how Sandler presents these not as treasure troves of wealth (which used to be the main focus of looking for wrecks), but treasure troves of information. I found the marine archaeological sites he chose to include were an excellent span of locations around the world (from watching Drain the Oceans I'd heard of most, but one of the ones in Turkey and the Korean wreck I'd never heard about), as well as opening readers eyes to the development of diving equipment, marine archaeology methods, and other tools they use now to find these underwater time capsules. It was an absolutely fascinating read. I couldn't put it down and devoured it in one afternoon. I like that full color photos of the people, items, and wrecks were included throughout to help bring what was being talked about to life. The Sibert honor for this book was well deserved. It is an excellent piece of nonfiction writing.

Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: Deaths in various wrecks are mentioned, and a couple recovered skeletons are in photographs. This is done respectfully. Some of the ships wrecked in battles, and those are briefly described including injuries and deaths that resulted.
Ethnic diversity: The marine archaeologists and divers included come from all over the world.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: The first archaeologist to attempt an underwater site talks about others in the field telling him it would be impossible.

[Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I love archeology, so I was already eager to enjoy this book. And it delivers! Sandler is an accomplished author, which is apparent in how this book conveys a lot of information in a seemless manner. He describes the significance of eight shipwrecks and includes a chapter at the end that lists nine more.

While there is enough information to create a book-length work for each of these shipwrecks, he focuses on the most important information. In addition to the key information about each ship told in text narrative, there are photographs, diagrams, and other images that help break up the text while also supporting the main explanation. There are also text boxes with photos that share related information such as biographies of famous water archeologists (Jacques Cousteau among them), definitions of key terms, explanations of modern equipment used for retrieval, and more detail about key finds.

Here are the archeological sites or ships names that are described in detail: Antikythera, Cape Gelidonya, Shinan, The Mary Rose, Sao Jose Paquete de Africa, The Hunley, The Erebus, and The Terror. (If you are curious, The Endeavor is in the "For Further Explanation" chapter with eight others.)

I met a woman in the UK when I traveled there in late June / early July of 2022. She was a trained underwater archeologist. She had explored some Scottish lakes (lochs). It was fascinating listening to her. However, having this book gives me a lot more information on this field of archeology.

This would be a great addition to a middle grade school library or to a public library or to a doctor's waiting room or any home's living room--whatever the age of the occupants. It's a great "coffee table book."

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

2024 Robert F. Sibert Honor Book

Martin W. Sandler, does a deep dive, pun intended, into the history of marine archeology, the key crucial people who founded the supposedly impossible task of doing exacting archaeological work deep in the water, the techniques and technologies that have been developed to make such work possible, the extensive underwater excavation of shipwrecks all around the world, from ancient times to more modern history. Most important to the George Bass and Peter Throckmorton who established the protocols for the scientific investigations of marine archeology, was not to find and recover more objects to fill museums, but to learn and understand, interpret what the ships, their cargoes, human remains objects, tools told of the history, civilization, life, time, trade, purposes of the people who traversed the scrams.
There is an overwhelming amount of information on a multitude of shipwrecks and the underwater archeological science, innovations, legal aspects in this book. An extensive index as well source notes by chapter, a selected bibliography are provided.
What it lacks are maps showing where the sunken vessels were found, timelines or a chronological order. There are mini fact essays, backed with blue backgrounds that are plopped in the midst of chapters, interrupting the narrative lines. The excellent photographs are not disruptive in the same way as these interesting but problematicly placed infomercials.
There is a lot of fascinating, but dense, information, that I wish had been better organized and presented. Those interested in shipwrecks will find a lot to learn.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this one! I can always be ready for a nonfiction book that reads like a fictional thriller and Sandler does it with his Shipwrecked book about what and how we discover shipwrecks of the past on seabed floors and what we decide to do about them-- raise them up, keep them tucked away, or leave them be because they're in too difficult a spot to every really get to know what happened well.

He features shipwrecks, not in any specific chronological order but captures the imagination of all involved when discovering these troves and what they tell us about a time period, the people aboard the ship, and merchant business at the time (plus who knew about harvesting sponges?!?!)

It is equally about the science of discovery and preservation as it is about adventure, history, and sociology.

"It was a situation that led to one of the greatest challenges of long-term Arctic searching- boredom. In order to keep Franklin's officers and men from succumbing to boredom during their long winter months in the ice, the Erebus and the Terror each had libraries containing some three thousand books. The two ships also carried theatrical scripts, scores of costumes, and huge quantities of makeup so that plays could be staged for the crew's enjoyment. In addition, both the Erebus and the Terror had a large printing press, which enabled the publication of a daily ship's newspaper whose purpose was to keep the crew busy with its production and to serve as a source of information and entertainment at a time when very little else was taking place on board."

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Almost everything made by humans, at one time or another, has been carried over the oceans. And it's not only people and goods that depended upon the sea for transportation. Ideas, cultures, religions, technologies, and the arts historically spread by seas.

Premise/plot: Shipwrecked is middle grade nonfiction. Sandler introduces readers to seven shipwrecks, or, excavations of shipwrecks. The book focuses on how shipwrecks are discovered, recovered, salvaged, etc. What can we learn about the past by examining/exploring shipwrecks? How has the art or science of exploration/excavation changed over the past hundred years?

The shipwrecks discussed in this one include: Antikythera, Cape Gelidonya, Shinan, The Mary Rose, Sao Jose Paquete de Africa, The Hunley, The Erebus and The Terror. The book also includes a final chapter--or appendix--where other shipwrecks are featured. These "bonus" or "extra" shipwrecks get a few paragraphs each.

My thoughts: I found this fascinating. I wasn't expecting to find it fascinating. This subject or sub-sub-genre isn't my usual "cup of tea." Yet I found myself absorbed in these stories. Mostly I found myself interested in the history of it all.

Definitely recommended for those that enjoy nonfiction.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super interesting to me. It's not really about ships (which if you know me, you know is a good thing, as I'm not a fan of nautical fiction) but about what we can learn from the excavation of shipwrecks. Which is a thing I'd honestly never thought of but makes so much sense. If you're a history/archaeology nerd, this one is for you. (If you like ships you will probably also like this, there is some descriptions of masts and things, which I skimmed over very quickly.)

For upper elementary/middle school kids who are into shipwrecks, this would be a great choice. I think adults interested in the same would also like it. (I have gotten to where I often prefer kids/teen nonfiction because it usually hits the sweet spot of exactly the length I want and what I want to know about a topic--adult nonfiction can be too long if you're not completely invested in a topic. So I'm urging you to think about trying nonfiction written for the younger set if you would otherwise dismiss it out of hand.)

A good read that might even inspire me to read a Clive Cussler book!

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

SHIPWRECKED is a fascinating read that takes a deep dive into seven shipwrecks around the world. Sandler emphasizes that each shipwreck is like a sunken museum - holding the stories, cultural artifacts, and lifestyle clues of the men and women that manned the ship above the water. This story highlights the innovation and advancements of marine archaeology beginning with the thrilling discovery made in the early 1900’s by free-diving sponge divers up to depths of 197 feet!

This book is great for any reader interested in marine archaeology with techniques and methods used in excavations today. Sandler also includes additional shipwrecks of interest that may entice a reader to explore the wreck further. Source notes, selected bibliography, and index are included at the back.

Overall, a great read that provides the thrill, excitement, and adventure that comes with marine archaeology.

[kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It says for young readers, but I clearly didn't read the full description beforehand. No regrets though, as I really wanted an intro to shipwreck discovery and I feel like I got it! The stories were both cool and inspiring.

There were also fun side notes and semi-deep dives (get it?), which I appreciated but I didn't love the formatting. They often fully interrupted the chapter, which meant I had to flip the page, finish my paragraph, and then flip back. (Don't even get me started on the frustrating mechanics of this in the Netgalley app.) For a better reader experience, maybe they could just go at the ends of the chapters.

**I received my copy from Netgalley.

Note: I originally downloaded on kindle and it's basically unreadable. It probably shouldn't even be available that way.

[Raven Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

I officially did not finish this book. But I got about halfway through and realized I cannot finish. There is a lot of technical science and that is not my thing. However, what I did read was really very good. Thing are heavy on the facts, the information and the technology. If you have someone interested in the ocean, science technology, technology in general, archaeology, or ships and/or shipwrecks it would be perfect. For at least ages ten and up. Read via an online reader copy, and I am curious about the final format. This will depend if a more "coffee table/picture book format" could deter older readers.

[Connie T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone interested in shipwrecks this is a fascinating read. Each chapter focuses on one particular shipwreck and in doing so, Sandler provides a glimpse into the past, teaching us about the culture and society during which each ship sailed. We learn about the technological advances that made each vessel unique as well as its vulnerabilities and reason for its wreck. The ships themselves and their cargo often offer insights we didn't know before and therefore change our interpretation of history. Advances in seafaring and diving techniques are discussed as well as the development of marine archeology. Sidebars, photos, archival texts, and illustrations all add interest.

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Explore the floor of the ocean with these amazing stories! There are so many wrecks out there, and not all of them have been discovered yet. For those that have been found, there are some wonderful things that can be found.
Martin W. Sandler takes us on a journey through several shipwrecks, and the treasures that were found along the ocean floor.

Absolutely enjoyed this book! I love reading about different wrecks, and this book not only covers what was found, but some of the history surrounding the wreck itself.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seven chapters highlight seven different, ancient wrecks around the world. It's amazing how evolving technology has increased accessibility to these troves of history. The real worth is in what we learn about ancient life.
In 1959, George Bass was the first trained archeologist to supervise a recovery. By the 1970's, the ability to stay below for longer periods enabled the photography and location plotting before removal of artifacts.
Nine additional wrecks are noted at the end, in case the reader is interested in further exploration.
Excellent color photos and captions augment the text.

[thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic read, so informative, factual, but interesting, and it was so great to read it, along with the kids, they were really interested in the pictures kept them engaged, it doesn’t overcomplicate things and keeps it fresh and interesting. This was wonderful book on shipwrecks and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in shipwrecks the ocean shipping?

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[kevin smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this opportunity.

Learning the science behind the dreams of treasure hunting and discovering Marine Archeaology as a field of study was inspiring

Short Book but provided a great tasting to a career opportunity in the STEM community.
An inspiration for kids who love the shore and returning to schools after a summer at the beach or seeing Avatar 2 and thinking the ocean is neat but can be so much more

[Ron Baumer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting maritime read on the discovery of several historically significant shipwrecks in history. The author does an outstanding job of relaying the story behind the discovery and the efforts to recover the wreck. The author then explains the significance of the find as it related to history. A well written and recommended read for the history and maritime fan.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Approaching the topic of marine archaeology from multiple perspectives by telling the stories of several famous shipwrecks, this is an engaging and intriguing informational book for young readers. Reaching all over the world, this book introduces readers to significant moments in history and not just from the west. The ocean is terrifying and mysterious, and this book will capture some of the intrigue.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This book covers seven fascinating shipwrecks - how they were discovered, how they were explored, and how they were recovered. The wrecks are each widely varied from era to location and contents. Pictures and illustrations throughout that add greatly to subject matter. Back matter includes information for further exploration, soure notes, selected bilbiography, index, and image credits. Give this to your students interested in the Titanic and other wrecks. Very interesting reading.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an exciting read! Of course, in a way, it isn’t exciting: you know, by definition, that the ship sank and lives, often all of them, were lost. That is tragic, not exciting. But the way the experts in this new field of maritime archeology are going about their discoveries is exciting and fascinating! The photos are great as well! Highly recommended by an excellent author that has never gotten the publicity he deserves.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing on my read of Sibert Medal Honors and Winners. This one was a bit slow to read. But fascinating and well written. The book itself was heavier in form factor than I expected - with high quality paper and photographs and other artwork. I definitely learned a lot in this one including the early days of marine archaeology. With index, bibliography and footnotes.

[Yibbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shipwrecks and treasure... Secrets hidden just out of reach for millennia. And now we are slowly rediscovering and retrieving them. It's fascinating. This book gives the reader a glimpse into the history of each wreck and its discovery. Along the way, we learn the history of this branch of archeology.
I strongly recommend this book. Even as an audiobook, it's good.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed listening to this book! It was very well narrated in addition to being well written. The content was interesting and structured in such a way as to be easily followed even with some technical details that casual readers would not know. A well researched book with skilled storytelling!

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

The shipwrecks were fascinating to read about, but I wanted more - more info about each ship, and also more pictures! Maybe the pictures don't exist, or are expensive to license or something, but I was disappointed with the pictures.

[Joan Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

learning about what is buried in the oceans of the world.

What an amazing book. You learn facts about a subject unknown by most of us.
I never realized so many ships were still on the bottom of the ocean.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so intriguing! It takes you through several shipwrecks, the historical importance, and the findings. I really enjoyed it!