Derelicts: An Account of Ships Lost at Sea in General Commercial Traffic And a Brief History of Blockade Runners Stranded Along the North Carolina Coast, 1861-1865

"Derelicts: An Account of Ships Lost at Sea in General Commercial Traffic" by James Sprunt is a historical exploration of lost ships, particularly during the Civil War era. The stories begin with the author's personal journey and fascination, from serving as a paymaster on Civil War ships, and then transitions into a broader examination of vessels abandoned at sea, especially blockade runners along the North Carolina coast, conveying both nautical adventures and the perils of war. The author’s interest is capturing the challenges and fates of these ships, with some of their grim secrets, while framing their significance within the context of maritime history and the legal definition of "derelict ships."