Breverton’s Nautical Curiosities: A Book of the Sea – Terry Breverton
I was given my copy of Breverton’s Nautical Curiosities by an old boyfriend – one whose conduct was, shall we say, less than shipshape. He’s long gone now (last seen somewhere off the stern), but my trusty Breverton’s remains by my side as a much-treasured companion. A little tea-stained and worn around the edges (much like its owner), it has a permanent place on my desk where it’s always within easy reach. I often pick it up for a moment of light relief from work or to spark an idea for the next blog post.
A Treasure Trove of Maritime Wonders
Breverton’s Nautical Curiosities is a smorgasbord of unusual nautical facts, maritime trivia, and fantastical seafaring stories. Although it’s a must-have for any sailor’s locker, it certainly won’t look out of place on a suburban bookshelf either.
It’s not the sort of book you read from cover to cover; instead, it’s one to dip into whenever the mood takes you. It also makes a wonderful gift for any nautical friend and can be found through all the usual booksellers.
What’s Inside?
The book is divided into nine wonderfully eclectic chapters:
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A–Z of Sea Slang
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Sea Conditions and Weather
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Life at Sea
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Death at Sea
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Heroes, Heroines, Sea People and Navigation
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Villains of the Seas
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Islands, Ports, Harbours and Capes
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Animals of the Sea
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The Ocean Environment
Charming sketches appear throughout the book, helping to conjure up a deliciously ye olde nautical atmosphere.
Something About Treasure…
Not all the entries hail from the age of sail, many are surprisingly contemporary. Here’s a snippet from Something About Treasure under Odyssey Marine Exploration – The Treasure Hunter:
“Run by an American entrepreneur Greg Stemm… In 2008 Odyssey Explorer found HMS Victory in a secret location off Alderney in the Channel Islands. The precursor to Nelson’s Victory, she was lost in a storm in 1764. It comprises the largest collection of bronze Royal Naval guns ever found; 41 of her 110 guns have been discovered, worth £35,000 each. There may also be four tons of Portuguese gold and silver worth £700 million also to be recovered.”
Four tons?!! Hmm… now, where did I leave my diving gear?
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