The Central America carried 491 passengers from Panama towards New York when she was caught in a mammoth hurricane in 1857. On board was a large shipment of gold from California.
Her sinking resulted in the greatest loss of life on a commercial passenger vessel of the nineteenth century, and contributed significantly to the financial panic which subsequently rocked the United States.
The eyewitness accounts of survivors reveal a riveting story of tragedy and heroism. Causes of the disaster, natural and human, are detailed and analyzed. Heroes and heroines are identified, and biographies of the major characters provided.
Rediscovered in 1987, the wreck is now being salvaged by the Columbus-America Discovery Group. This operation has received wide-spread press coverage and the artifacts will soon be exhibited.
Normand Klare is the descendant of two of the survivors of the Central America, as well as a career air force pilot, and former assistant professor of Air Science at Arizona State University. His thorough research since 1976, documentation, and writing skill have resulted in an exciting, yet scholarly narrative.
Hardbound, 287 pages, 7 1/4" x 10 1/4", 37 illustrations
Price $32.95 (US)
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