Quotes from Dava Sobel and Sir Arnold Wolfendale following demonstrations at the Tercentenary commemorations, in October 2007, of the HMS Association loss.
 More than 44,000 shipwrecks have been recorded in the waters
around Great Britain and Ireland, representing the whole span of
maritime history, from ancient to modern times. Now, SHIPWRECKS
UK offers a unique computerized tool for exploring and comparing
all these past disasters, so that new insights into their significance
can be gained by historians, archaeologists, divers, researchers,
students, and amateur enthusiasts. SHIPWRECKS UK is an admirably
detailed resource, sophisticated yet friendly, and as engrossing
as any video entertainment. 
Dava Sobel, best-selling author of "Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time" - 22nd October 2007
This database is a 'must' for both us, as an
Island race, and also for the wider international community. The
historical aspects of 'shipwrecks' are of increasing interest, not
least from progress in techniques of navigation where (alas for
me!) astronomical methods failed but horology came to the rescue,
in the form of John Harrison, the self-taught clockmaker. Funding
must surely be found for this resource.
Sir Arnold Wolfendale FRS, 14th Astronomer Royal - 22nd October 2007
 Click
on the images of Sir Arnold Wolfendale or Dava Sobel to see more
photographs from the Tercentenary Commemorations.
More quotes from reviewers
The Shipwreck Index is always my first port of call when I am investigating an unknown wreck. It has been invaluable in ascertaining the identity of dozens of wrecks I have been able to put a name to. One of the latest was SS Edam, investigated and named in 2007 and now recognized as an important part of Dutch maritime history.
Nick Chipchase, Trimix diver and steamship researcher.
The new Shipwrecks UK database is a tremendously useful
tool for professionals, recreational divers and for all those with
an interest in maritime history. This is an easy to use, intuitive
digital resource, whose search functions and cross referencing capabilities
can place our history into broad context at the touch of a few keys.
Suzanne Pleydell - Group Manager, Education & Instructor Development,
PADI International Ltd, and member of the UK Government's Advisory
Committee on Historic Wreck Sites.
Shipwrecks UK was an important resource in my being able
to fill in some missing details of a family member's life. The additional
information supplied beyond the disaster's details was very useful.
Robert Dunne, Dublin - family genealogical research
The NAS demonstration of Shipwrecks UK has convinced me that it has the potential to revolutionise maritime research.
The value for research is already stunning. The ability to abstract trends and comparisons instantly saves literally years of work.
Mike Williams, Senior Law Lecturer, Wolverhampton University. Member
of the Nautical Archaeological Society Executive and the Joint Nautical
Archaeological Policy Committee.
This visual database represents the future in the analysis
of shipping losses and shipwrecks. The ability to make cross-comparisons
and search in almost unlimited ways is of inestimable value to divers,
researchers, historians, genealogists, and anyone with even the
remotest interest in our maritime past.
Innes McCartney, Shipwreck historian, broadcaster, author, pioneer Trimix diver, licensee of Historic Wreck, member of NAS
This type of database is exactly what we would need in our work. It looks extremely useful and gives a digital dimension to the already
excellent shipwreck index.
Sophia Exelby, Receiver of Wreck
This does all the things it should do as a major tool for the serious wreck researcher, and much more beyond. At the same time it is so easy
to use and presents information so clearly that it should be ideal for use in schools.
Peter Holt, Project Surveyor for the Mary Rose Trust, 3H Survey Consulting Ltd, Systems Designer for Sonardyne International Ltd
The original Shipwreck Index of the British Isles was a wonderful resource, but this interactive electronic version is going to be even more
valuable. It would be superb if funding could be found to enable this valuable resource to be available for free access via the WWW.
Christopher Dobbs, Maritime Archaeologist, Mary Rose Trust
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