This title contains five stories of tragic loss at sea. Once nearly swept from the seas, tall ships have experienced a fifty-year renaissance as sail training and passenger vessels. But that resurgence has had a tragic side, and professional mariner and maritime scholar Dan Parrott explores it in this groundbreaking reconstruction of five infamous losses that claimed 112 lives. Parrott's vivid re-creations of each final voyage dissect the circumstances of loss from forensic evidence, expert testimony, survivors' memories, and his own considerable experience. Rich with history and lore, Tall Ships Down shows unforgettably how small and seemingly insignificant lapses can produce fatal consequences at sea.'An engaging - and heartrending - book' - Ocean Navigator. 'In addition to being a fabulous read, Tall Ships Down is a sailing seminar for both active and armchair sailors' - Sailing. 'The careful detail makes gripping reading. Not much detective fiction holds a reader's attention so well' - WoodenBoat. 'A closely reasoned seaman's appraisal' - SAIL. 'This extraordinary book is a must-read for anyone interested in the world of tall ships' - Tall Ships and Sail Training International. 'An important contribution to maritime studies. Parrott writes with ease and authority, carefully blending both historical and technical data' - Baltimore Sun. 'If you're a fan of sea stories, you should have a great time reading Tall Ships Down' - Connecticut Post.