The Shipwreck Decoder

A Handbook for Divers and Maritime Enthusiasts

Ashton East

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Paperback

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QTY:

English

Dived Up Publications
30 September 2025

Maritime history; Underwater archaeology; Ships & shipping: general interest; Sub-aqua swimming

Transform your understanding of the underwater world with The Shipwreck Decoder. This essential illustrated guide helps you understand the silent stories told by submerged vessels. This insightful handbook delves into the features of shipwrecks, placing them in their rich historical context. It teaches you how to interpret your observations. Spanning different eras of maritime technology, it covers details from hull construction and propulsion systems to armaments and navigation instruments. As a result, it will help maritime enthusiasts - including divers - to truly 'read' these underwater time capsules.

For Divers: This book enhances the experience and understanding of shipwreck divers. You'll learn how to orient yourself on a wreck using engine components or understand construction methods. These practical details are directly valuable for divers. It helps you explore more confidently and make better sense of every dive.

For Maritime Enthusiasts: The book deeply explores marine engineering, historical timelines of technology, and the evolution of ship design and equipment. It covers ancient vessels to Cold War era ships. Therefore, it provides rich content for anyone passionate about the subject, archaeology, and naval architecture. The knowledge you gain will significantly enhance your appreciation of the topic. This includes, for example, dives, maps, charts, logs, museum displays, and even documentaries.

Featuring 400+ original illustrations. A practical guide and reference book. A primer and briefing aid for understanding what to look for and how to interpret findings.

By: Ashton East
Imprint: Dived Up Publications
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 12mm
Weight: 300g
ISBN: 9781909455429
ISBN 10: 1909455423
Pages: 208
Publication Date: 30 September 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Ashton East's passion for the underwater world began long before he could join his parents' diving adventures at age twelve. Over the decades, he has become an accomplished underwater photographer and technical diver, exploring shipwrecks globally. His desire to truly understand these submerged time capsules led him to study nautical archaeology courses, review literature and visit museums, approaching the subject with the keen, analytical eye developed during his extensive legal career. What started as a Covid lockdown project documenting these explorations is now published as a must-have guide for enthusiasts of all sunken vessels.

Reviews for The Shipwreck Decoder: A Handbook for Divers and Maritime Enthusiasts

'A wonderfully useful book, and I cannot recommend it too highly.’– David Gibbins, Maritime Archaeologist, New York Times and London Sunday Times Bestselling Author. 'I'm amazed how much information Ashton has managed to cram into several hundred pages - I've certainly learned a lot!'- Dominic Robinson, Deep Wreck Diver. 'I wish this book had been available 30 years ago when I learnt to dive. I have loved diving on and investigating shipwrecks since those very first open water dives in Portland Harbour, but for years never really knew what it was I was looking at. Now all new divers can. There are few books that are specifically targeted at helping divers get a better understanding of what lies on the seabed in such a clear way so this should become a mainstay in every diver's library.'- Mark Beattie-Edwards, CEO, Nautical Archaeology Society. ‘This is a fantastic book.'– Giles Richardson, COO, Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust.