Sunken Beacons explores the hidden world of lighthouses lost to the sea, examining these maritime landmarks as symbols of humanity's ongoing struggle against coastal erosion and the growing threat of climate change. These structures, once beacons of hope and navigation, now serve as underwater monuments, offering unique insights into both our engineering triumphs and environmental oversights. The book uncovers intriguing facts, like how some lighthouses succumbed not only to natural forces but also to engineering miscalculations, revealing a complex interplay of factors leading to their demise.
The book progresses by first establishing the historical significance and geographical distribution of these “sunken beacons,” then moves to analyze specific case studies, highlighting construction details, operational histories, and the engineering flaws that contributed to their collapse. It further examines the impact of rising sea levels, connecting historical data with contemporary climate science. This approach blends historical research with underwater archaeology, enhancing the book's value by presenting a narrative that is both informative and engaging for a broad audience interested in history, travel, and environmental issues.
