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The Unforgiving Coast: Maritime Disasters of the Pacific Northwest

By David H. Grover 2002. 224 pages. Maps. Historic photographs. Bibliography. Index. ISBN 0-87071-541-0. Paperback, $19.95. Table of Contents

The Pacific Northwest Coast can be as deadly as it is beautiful, as demonstrated by the hundreds of shipwrecks and maritime disasters that have occurred in these waters. In The Unforgiving Coast, David Grover vividly tells the true stories of some of the deadliest maritime disasters of the twentieth century.

As a former chief mate in the merchant marine and commander in the Naval Reserve who has served in Northwest waters, Grover knows their grandeur and dangers firsthand. And he has drawn on his expertise as a widely published marine historian to select nine of the most dramatic major accidents that happened between the California border and Vancouver Island, including two fatal shipwrecks on the treacherous Columbia River bar, known as the "Graveyard of the Pacific."

The Unforgiving Coast offers a penetrating look into each of these nine catastrophes, focusing on the unique, the inexplicable, the poignant, the heroic, and the tragic elements that make them remarkable. Drawing on a wide variety of sources, Grover tries to explain not just what happened in each disaster, but how and why it happened. The stories vary considerably-some are mysteries, some are adventure thrillers, and some defy categorization.

Compelling and highly readable, David Grover's book uncovers the true stories behind these ships and their terrible fates.

"A valuable addition to Northwest maritime history."

-Sam McKinney, author of Reach of Tide, Ring of History: A Columbia River Voyage

"...does a commendable job of probing beyond the superficial aspects of each incident to reveal its human complexities."

-Herbert K. Beals, author of Juan Perez on the Northwest Coast

About the Author

David Grover is a historian and writer who has published several books and dozens of articles on maritime history, as well as a previous OSU Press book, Debaters and Dynamiters: The Story of the Haywood Trail. In addition, he is a former Commander in the Naval Reserve and Chief Mate in the Merchant Marine. He lives in Napa, California.

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