Sinkable

More about the book

On a frigid April night in 1912, the world's largest ocean liner struck an iceberg and sank, marking the beginning of a relentless fascination with its tragic story. Plans to locate and recover the Titanic emerged almost immediately, yet it took seven decades for the wreck to be found. Why does this particular shipwreck captivate the world among millions? In this engaging narrative, Daniel Stone uncovers the Titanic's story not as a ship but as a shipwreck, delving into the lives of eccentric individuals like Charles Smith, who devised an elaborate but impractical recovery plan, and Doug Woolley, who claims ownership of the wreckage. Stone explores the depths of the ocean where the Titanic rests, detailing how it broke apart and the misconceptions about the seabed's landscape at the time. He interviews scientists about the ongoing rust and decomposition threatening the ship's existence, which is predicted to vanish in a few decades. Amidst a global pandemic, he embarks on a journey across the Atlantic to find Woolley, while also reflecting on his own obsession with shipwrecks. Filled with humor and curiosity, this work offers a captivating exploration of the deep sea and the nature of obsession, reminiscent of the styles of Susan Orlean and Bill Bryson.