Treasure Islands

"Crawford's absorbing account of his first adventures in the salvage trade . . . an unusually likeable, as well as interesting, memoir." —The Scotsman

In 1971 Alec Crawford is determined to make his fortune from ship salvage. Early attempts lead nowhere until he teams up with a new partner, Simon Martin. Diving in Hebridean waters, they explore remains of the Spanish Armada, and the wreck of the SS Politician, the vessel made famous in the film Whisky Galore! But money is scarce and irregular, and the work is fraught with danger and disappointment.


Until they hear of one of the most incredible wrecks of all time—the White Star liner RMS Oceanic, which, when built in 1899, was the biggest and most luxurious ship in the world. Widely regarded as an "undiveable" wreck, lying somewhere off the remote island of Foula, they decide to take the challenge. They face unbelievably dangerous waters and appalling weather conditions, and when a large salvage company takes action against them, they also have a huge legal fight on their hands. But if they succeed, the rewards will be enormous . . .

"Crawford pioneered many of the methods now used in deep sea recovery, but this book is more about the excitement than the technicalities. It is also a love song to Scotland and a vanishing way of life." —Sorted Magazine
"Crawford is a born story-teller, and his tales unfold as easily and naturally as he were an old friend." —The Shetland Times
"A story of genuine adventure." —Desperate Reader