January Book Of The Month: Extreme Waves

Created by doina. Last modified on 2007-01-11 09:13:55
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Topic: Books,Charts and DVDs

Extreme Waves by Craig B. Smith

published by Joseph Henry Press, 500 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001

ISBN 0-309-10062-3

$27.95 USA, $31.95 Canada

This is, from every point of view, an extraordinary book written in a lively, easy to read style. This is exactly the opposite of what I expected before opening it as I was sure it would be yet another scientific treatise, packed with information, but deadly boring to read. I couldn’t have been more wrong!

The author is an accomplished small boat sailor, who makes it clear that he is happiest when he is on his ten-metre Dream sailing off California. His professional background is truly mind-boggling: Craig Smith is a scientist and civil engineer who has led huge projects from the North Sea to the Gulf of Mexico, and has been involved in the construction of all US military installations on a number of North Pacific islands, including the recent rebuilding of the Pentagon after 9/11. He has a BS degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University and an MS and PhD in engineering from the University of California.

As to be only expected in a book with such a title, giant waves play the main part: how they are formed, where and when they occur, what are the weather conditions that cause them to happen. But waves are not everything, and the author deals in great detail and with much clarity with all subjects that may have anything to do with waves: tropical storms, tsunamis, squalls, waterspouts, tidal bores, even trade wind swell and Polynesian navigating by ocean wave patterns. Safety at sea is highlighted by lots of relevant examples of large ships that seem to be the main victims of such freak waves, the high rate of losses, especially among bulk carriers, being truly staggering. All examples are based on freak giant waves and the losses and mysterious disappearances of apparently well-built, sound ships at sea. Bearing in mind the author’s main interest in large shore structures, he also mentions the most important features to be borne in mind as a prime protection against such waves.

As the most recent tragic example, the 2004 SE Asia tsunami provides many telling examples, but by far the most interesting is the personal report by a group of divers who spent the critical moments unknowingly under the waves, only to return to the Thai coast to be faced by that inferno.

Naturally, small boats and the hazards faced by them, are not ignored, with significant examples of disasters such as the 1984 and 1998 Sydney to Hobart Races, the June 1996 so-called Queen’s Birthday Storm, off New Zealand, but also a number of happier outcomes. The good news is that, compared to large ships, well-found sailing yachts have a much better chance of survival, even if overcome by such giant waves. Even if the yacht capsizes, or rolls over, which undoubtedly it will, a lost mast and clean swept decks might be the only serious damage. Provided the yacht is well-built, with strong hatches and portholes, and that everything inside is well secured (engine, batteries, etc) I cannot see how it would not survive such an extreme situation. The yachting literature is full of truly miraculous survival stories which should be a great encouragement for anyone setting off across the oceans in what is, after all, a mere nutshell.

The only small criticism from this reviewer, a small boat sailor himself, is the choice of the cover photograph: of a small yacht being overcome by a huge wave. Sailors prefer to adopt the ostrich approach at sea, otherwise they’ll never leave port, so perhaps a photo of a surfer (as in Plate 1) riding across a 60 foot giant wave would have been more appropriate…and not frighten off potential buyers not looking for a thrill.

This reviewer feels that perhaps small boat sailors need some additional reassurance to buy this excellent book and, knowing the devil you fear, is the best recommendation. This reviewer has sailed over 200,000 miles in all oceans of the world, including three circumnavigations…without, thank goodness, ever seeing any such gigantic waves. The nearest was during a return second voyage to Antarctica. The dreaded Drake Passage showed its true potential in a rather modest 40-knot gale – modest by local standards – when huge breaking 25 ft waves threatened to overcome our small boat as we closed with Cape Horn. Even an additional ten knots could have spelt disaster as we had to sail across the swell…just like that yacht on the cover.

Highly recommended!

Jimmy Cornell

London, January 2007