Talk:Wrecking (shipwreck)

Further reading?
I have removed the line "Memoirs - Walter Scott" from the Further reading section. This seems to be a reference to Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Bart. by J.G. Lockhart (1837-38, 7 vols.) I question whether this work as a whole should be recommended to someone interested in reading more about wrecking. Similarly, I have removed the line "Records of a Family of Engineers - R. L. Stevenson." which seems to refer to this. After browsing through the book on line, I see only a few casual mentions of goods that came from wrecks, with nothing on the practice, prevalence, economy, etc. of wrecking. -- Donald Albury 16:14, 19 January 2008 (UTC)

Wrecking in Britain
I changed the reference to the Gulf Stream as it is not correct that it "passes through the far south west of England". That could imply that here are a lot of people treading water in Devon and Cornwall. Luckily, the Gulf Stream passes by the south west, and I have clarified that. Michael of Lucan (talk) 12:20, 29 April 2009 (UTC)

False light
Navigators use lighthouse lights as a guide; if they see other lights, they must correctly assess them or be fooled and run a chance of wrecking. Navigators do not have to be drawn in like moths to a flame, to wreck, they simply have to be steering on the basis of erroneous information. While it may be useful to show that lights do not draw ships to shore, the fact that steering a correct course relative to a false light could lead to wrecking should also be shown. Presenting the idea of false lights as debunked is not called for.

I think the main problem here is that modern light sources are so much different from those of centuries past. The Bahamanian wrecker is quite correct to eschew this strategy, as it would be next to impossible for him to set up immense, heavy and powerful electric lights, while approximating an old flame-lit lighthouse is not only a lead pipe cinch in terms of candlepower and color but in perspective, too. A fire high up on a mile distant beach not only looks as bright and burns the same color as a flame-lit lighthouse 2 miles away, but it is in the same elevation relative to the horizon.
 * 24.5.17.115 (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 23:49, 23 May 2011 (UTC).


 * I agree, it is sufficient to confuse the navigator. The practice of decoying ships ashore is always documented as being historical.  It is certainly held that this was done in England up to the 18th century, and this is not disproved by the later, American, objections given in the text, though it is true that it would be impossible to simulate a modern lighthouse. Chrismorey (talk) 07:04, 26 June 2015 (UTC)

Pugin the wrecker
I've removed the sentence with the surprise claim that architect Augustus Pugin was a wrecker. It was unsourced, but also inaccurate. Pugin did part own the Deal lugger The Caroline, with the Rev. Alfred Luck, but it is a bit of a calumny to suggest that either of them were involved in the criminal act of deliberately wrecking ships for profit. Pugin used his lugger to rescue crews and cargo that ran into difficulties on the Goodwins, a profitable as well as a charitable act in that he could claim salvage rights for doing so. But they were ships that had already been wrecked, or were in danger of being wrecked. 77.96.115.138 (talk) 13:53, 18 August 2016 (UTC)

HMS Dolores Reference Note
Normally, I'd prefer to cite Boardgamegeek, rather than the manufacturer's site, but BGG seems to be under the impression that the game is a Pirate game, and doesn't contain a single reference to the word "wrecker". Thanks, Luc "Somethingorother" French 12:14, 29 December 2016 (UTC)