Press Release now available in the Downloads Section of this site

It has been quite a journey over the last 33 years since the 1st paperback edition of Dive Scapa Flow was published in 1990. My then publishers, Mainstream Publishing, felt they were taking quite a risk with the publication and did an initial print run of 2000 paperback copies. That sold out very quickly and other similar 2000 copy print runs followed before they decided it was selling well enough to merit going to a hardback cover in 1993. At that time there were about 12 dive boats working the Flow full time throughout the dive season.

The cover got changed in about 1998 for the 3rd, 4th & 5th editions – Derek Miller beside the upturned triple expansion engine of the Tabarka – sadly no longer accessible.

In anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the scuttle on 21 June 2019, the book was fully rewritten and updated with new wreck illustrations and the latest digital scans courtesy of Chris Rowland and ADUS Deepocean. Its hard to think back to just how little we knew about the wrecks in the early 1980’s, when I started diving them – compared to the wealth of knowledge now available.

Release date – end June 2023

My new book was released in the UK and Europe last week – it’s publishing in the USA in April. I’ve just received my author copies – and they’re causing much excitement at Chateau Macdonald! What a beautiful production by Frontline Books and Pen & Sword. It’s a funny feeling reading your own finalised published book for the first time!

My new book about how 6 of the 8 US battleships (sunk or damaged during the surprise Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor) returned to war has now been published in the UK. It’s a fascinating story that covers the raid itself, the amazing feats of salvage – and then follows each of the 6 OBBs as they are repaired, modernised and returned to the fight. Publishing in USA next month.

With the 1st edition completely sold out, we are working towards releasing a brand new, rewritten and expanded, 2nd edition in May 2023.

In addition to updating the 1st edition (2014) wreck illustrations of the main wrecks to reflect structural degradation and collapsing over the last 10 years, there are also new illustrations of:

IJN Futagami, Hanagawa Maru, Hoyo Maru, Katsuragisan Maru, Kikukawa Maru, Momokawa Maru, Nagano Maru, IJN Oite, Reiyo Maru, Taiho Maru, Yubae Maru and the newly discovered 300-ton IJN Salvage Tug, which remains as yet unidentified.

And here is the new cover!

Pre-orders now available here:

The 1st edition is completely sold out both in the UK and the USA – but the good news is that I’ve finished the manuscript for a new expanded 2nd edition, with loads of new wreck illustrations. Anticipating it will be published around May this year … more details to follow!

It’s done! The final page set proof is finished, checked and rechecked and is back with my publishers to finalise with publication still on course for March this year. It’s been a ton of work – but we are on track for my 2nd foray into pure military history.

Pre-orders available here:

The Manuscript for this new book has now been edited and is away for the next step of being page set. March 2023 for publication at moment.