Baby disorders and untoward misfortunes

November 23, 2017 9:50 PM

On the eve of the Civil War, a nightmare at sea turned into one of the greatest rescues in maritime history. More than a century later, a rookie treasure hunter went looking for the lost ship—and found a different kind of ruin.

The Wreck of the Connaught, by David Wolman.
posted by Rumple (6 comments total)

Damn good story. Thanks for sharing.
posted by Palindromedary at 11:21 PM on November 23, 2017 [1 favorite]

I didn't find the modern story very compelling, but the backstory is amazing, so no wonder it was doled out through the whole thing. Also, random thought on finishing it: milkshake duck is not a 21st century-only phenomenon.
posted by tavella at 12:25 AM on November 24, 2017 [4 favorites]

I just eat that stuff up. As sort of an infovore, I love seeing research's central role in the otherwise less cerebral world of treasure hunting. (Same reason I love Indiana Jones so much.)
posted by Samizdata at 12:44 AM on November 24, 2017

To me the amazing part of the story is that nobody died in that disaster.
posted by happyroach at 12:46 AM on November 24, 2017 [2 favorites]

Say what you like, Robert Leitch is no Francesco Schettino ...
posted by oheso at 1:03 AM on November 24, 2017 [2 favorites]

What a great tale.
posted by GallonOfAlan at 3:24 AM on November 24, 2017 [2 favorites]