SKELETON COAST
by John H Marsh
THIS is a re-issue, up-dated and much more fully illustrated, of the book
first published in 1944 that released the hitherto top secret story of
what is surely the most dramatic and inspiring shipwreck and rescue drama
of all time.
That particular part of the S.W.A./Namibia coast has been for centuries
for all who knew it the most frightening piece of the Earth.
Naval and military censorship ruled when the earlier editions of Skeleton
Coast were published, and only a handfull of approved photos were obtainable
to illustrate the book. But for this expanded re-issue a remarkable collection
of nearly 100 pictures, many of them history-making and of dramatic action,
and most of them now published for the first time, has been assembled.
The story is true in every particular, incredulous as many a reader is
likely to find the amazing series of events related. There were some who
labelled it "the wildest fiction" when first they read it. But
it has stood the test of time. The incident that led to the participation
in the drama of the Merchant Marines of several countries, the British
and South African Navies, the South African Air Force, the South African
Army, the South African Police and the South African Railways and Harbours
Administration,demanding from each of the men their utmost resources of
courage, endurance, persistence, ingenuity, compassion and humanity, as
well as intelligence and muscle, took place midway through World War 2
off the coast of South West Africa that is scheduled soon to become the
independent country of Namibia.
The story
of the wrecking of the big British passenger liner Dunedin Star
and the eventual rescue of her more than 100 passengers and crew, at the
cost of other lives, another ship, a big aircraft, a number of army trucks,
etc., has become known to millions since the book was first published,
and is generally accepted to be the peer of true adventure stories so far
to come out of Africa. Edition after edition of the original book came
from the presses in English and in translations in Africa, England, the
Continent of Europe and America, over a period of nearly a quarter of a
century. However, the last edition was sold out more than a decade ago,
so this up-dated and expanded and generously illustrated re-issue is certain
to be eagerly received.
First published in 1944 by
with subsequent editions or translations published by
HODDER and STOUGHTON,LIMITED
London and Cape Town
HOWARD TIMMINS, Cape Town
NASIONALE PERS, Cape Town, Bloemfontein & Port Elizabeth
DODD MEAD & CO INC, New York
WESTERMANN, Copenhagen
PAN BOOKS LTD, London
MARSHES BOOKS, Johannesburg
NAMIBIAN SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY,Windhoek
This internet version is based on the last edition to be published by John H Marsh in November 1978 in which he added details about the fate of each participant as an Appendix to the end of the original book.
This is an internet publication
of Skeleton Coast. Up to and including Chapter 2 is provided for
readers to preview the contents, style and layout of the book. Should readers
wish to acquire the book, they will need to send US$9-00 to the
publishers. They will then be provided with the passwords to allow them
to download the entire book and its accompanying images.To contact the
publishers send an email to
info@rapidttp.co.za
Copyright Mike Marsh(2010)
See also