Local authors, Bruce Henderson and Kelly Graham launched Wood, Iron and Steel – Shipwrecks mapped off the Western Cape on Thursday December 12.

Maritime journalist Brian Ingpen of Tokai, left, in conversation with authors, Bruce Henderson of Somerset West and Kelly Graham of Claremont.

Published by Quickfox many of the 200 plus people who packed V&A Waterfront Exclusive Books had contributed in some way to the making of the glossily illustrated collection of untold nautical stories about 60 shipwrecks. Dating from 1698 to 2009 they range from wooden sailing boats that made the perilous journey between Europe and Asia to modern iron and steel passenger liners carrying tourists, migrants and explorers, each one with a story to tell.

The authors formed Wreckless Marine and surveyed the wrecks over three years using cutting-edge scanning technology to map the Western Cape’s sea floor. They collaborated with the Council for Geoscience SA’s minerals and energy unit and SA Heritage Resources Agency’s Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage.

Wreckless Marine team members, Anneli Moolman of Somerset West with Jessica Kramer of Observatory.

Enjoying the launch, from left, Bronwyn Mac Hutchon of Parklands with Wilhelm Van Zyl of Melkbosstrand and Michael Mac Hutchon of Parklands.

Victor Öblom of Tokai is part of the Wreckless Marine team who gave geoscience input for the book, with Sashan Manikam of Pinelands.

Tony and Kathy Nicholas of Zandvlei with maritime journalist Brian Ingpen of Tokai who wrote and introduction timeline of relevant dates in the Cape shipping industry from circa 600 BC to the sinking of the Seli 1 in 2009.

Richard Rawlings from Somerset West with Nyaradzo Chitsike from Mowbray.

Enjoying the launch, from left, Richard Phillips from Franschhoek with Brink and Suzanne van Eeden from Paarl.

Gordon Rigg of Kommetjie with Heidi and Billy Sendin from Somerset West.

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Book tells stories of shipwrecks