Treasure Ship: The Legend and Legacy of the S.S. Brother Jonathan

by Dennis M. Powers

Book Overview

Powers pens the story of the tragic 1865 sinking of the S.S. Brother Jonathan and the century-long treasure hunt that led to the salvage of her priceless cargo.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806527471
• ISBN13: 9780806527475
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: Citadel Press
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.4" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Unique combination of history, business and law

I truly enjoyed this book. I find nonfiction far more captivating and dramatic than fiction. Dennis did an outstanding job of bringing out all aspects of this story (I can't imagine anyone making up a story this good). He takes us on a journey from the ship leaving San Francisco to it's wreck followed by the more incredible story of finding the wreck, going to the supreme court over the legal issues, fighting over the issues about rare coins and finally to helping us see the business end of treasure hunting. Once I was half way through the book I couldn't put it down!

Two Thumbs Up

Having previously read "Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea" by Gary Kinder, and "Lost Gold of the Republic" by Priit J. Vesilind, I thought someone would eventually write a similar book about the SS Brother Jonathan. What I didn't expect was just how good Dennis Powers's book would be. If you are a collector of gold double eagles or Civil War gold in general, then I highly recommend all three of these books. If you enjoy history, or shipwrecks, or just a good non-fiction read, then I recommend this book above the others. I am a fan of history books that read like a good novel. Dennis Powers's "Treasure Ship" doesn't just document events, it makes you feel you are right there witnessing the events. I would be surprised if this book doesn't get made into a movie, or at least, a History Channel special.

The read of the year

Dennis Powers's Treasure Ship is the read of the year. During the time around the Civil War and the gold rush in the west, travel from coast to coast was frequently by sea because there were no railroads connectine east to west, and travel across the plains was slow and perilous. Gold was usually transported by ship, even though that was also very dangerous, and many went down laden with fortunes in gold. Powers's book is like a time capsule taking us through an horrific, vividly detailed ship wreck just off the coast of California when the Jonathan slams onto a rock and splits apart during a violent sotrm at sea. Powers introduces in vivid, living detail those who traveled in high style, and to others who endured steerage class, but the sea was no respecter of persons. Or of the treasure in the ship's hold. This book is marvelous; the story seems so real and the telling thrills and transports us back in time. This would make an epic motion picture.

Riviting

Well Dennis Powers has done it again ! Well written and researched. Just finished it, Recommend it to anyone interested in Ship wrecks and treasure. Sandy Nuss researcher Del Norte County Historical Society,Crescent City, California

Marine Engineer is pleased!

Dennis's book is an extraordinary historical adventure; from the descriptions of the passengers on the San Francisco dock in 1865 to the courtroom shenanigans of the 1990's, I read it straight through and could hardly put it down. I guess I should provide some credentials - I was the Chief Engineer aboard the Research Vessel Point Lobos with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute during the time the Navy used our side-scan sonar data to locate the Macon with their manned submarine off of Partington Ridge south of Monterey, CA. This was in June of 1991. We then performed video surveys and other research with our ROV, the Ventana. Later, National Geographic put out an article on the discovery in their Jan 1992 issue. I was the Chief Engineer on board the Pt. Lobos and later, on the RV Western Flyer for a total of about 10 years, ending in 1997. So naturally, I have a pretty good background in Marine Research Operations and I know what it is like trying to use a support ship in the rough coastal waters of Northern California. One thing that struck me during this time was the inability of reporters and writers of every stripe to get the story straight. It seemed much of our press was riddled with errors of many kinds. So when I got to the part of Dennis' book where he described the various efforts and technologies used to find the SS Brother Jonathan I was prepared for the same thing I had seen so many times before. Much to my surprise, all of it was explained properly and there were no red flags indicating he had been sloppy with his research and reporting of the facts. In my estimation, this is no small feat. Dennis should be congratulated for his hard work. The other thing I liked about this book is its fairness to the players. He was able to tell a complex and divicive story without taking sides. The only character who came out stinking is the state of California and by all accounts they deserve it. Given the facts, (I checked elsewhere) one would find it hard to make them look good. They were the one entity who could've been a tremendous resource and a helpful partner in the recovery efforts, but rather they turned out to be a contrary, negative and litigious enemy to all concerned. The late 1800's were a fascinating time on the Northern California coast - the stories are not dry ones! For me, Dennis brought those times to life again and kept my interest right up to the last expedition. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes California History, ships, treasure, gold coins, research, the sea or even a really good story!