Bøger af John Hairr

John Hairr is an award-winning author and maritime historian who explores the past of unique and often forgotten places. He returns to the Cape Fear country for his latest photographic look into the region's past. Kure Beach, North Carolina The sandy dunes stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Cape Fear River may not have looked impressive, but Fort Fisher, North Carolina, was a key part of the coastal defenses protecting the most important link in the lifeline of the Confederacy. Blockade runners and naval raiders alike sheltered for cover under the protection provided by powerful artillery batteries, which warships of the Union Navy dared not challenge. Modelled by the fort's commander, Col. William Lamb, after Russian-engineered designs, the sandy ramparts defending the New Inlet entrance to the Cape Fear River eventually became the largest fortifications in the South, gaining the nickname "Confederate Gibraltar." During the waning days of the war, Union commanders went to great lengths to destroy the fort, thus closing the vital port of Wilmington to Confederate blockade runners. The woefully undermanned defenders fought bravely, turning back the first Union assault in December 1864 and would no doubt have repulsed the second had promised reinforcements arrived. After fierce hand-to-hand combat, the garrison was overwhelmed by superior numbers, and Fort Fisher fell on January 15, 1865.

Swim at your own risk... Millions of tourists visit North Carolina beaches each year, but advertisements promoting fun in the sun along idyllic shores forget to mention the dangers lurking under the waves. The Old North State is home to some very large and lethal sharks--bull sharks, tiger sharks, oceanic whitetips and great whites. Large sharks used to be prolific along the coast, especially in the waters of Carteret County, where some brutal, fatal attacks have happened. Offshore, mariners dreaded the infamous Graveyard of the Atlantic, knowing their chances of meeting a gruesome end were high in those shark-haunted waters. As shark populations rebound in waters where humans congregate, local author John Hairr tells forgotten tales of historic clashes between these two apex predators.

During the past two centuries, the central region of the Tar Heel State was populated with numerous active coal mines, many of which dealt with catastrophes such as cave-ins or gas explosions. Over fifty-three miners lost their lives in an explosion at the Carolina Mine at Coal Glen in 1925, the largest industrial disaster in state history. The Egypt Coal Mine was a key resource for Confederate forces during the Civil War despite a series of explosions that claimed scores of lives. The last efforts by the Raleigh Mining Company to continue coal mining in the state in the 1950s were marred by accidents and signaled an eventual end to the industry. Author John Hairr chronicles the history and tragedy of coal mining in North Carolina s Deep River region."

Hairr tells the stories of those who have matched wits with these great beasts of the deep off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Since the earliest days of European exploration, mariners have heard tales and relayed their own stories of North Carolina's perilous shoreline. With bold capes jutting into the ocean, sandy shoals extending miles offshore, fickle weather, and treacherous currents, it is no wonder that the coastline of the Old North State came to be known as the "The Graveyard of the Atlantic." The inherent dangers of traveling North Carolina's coast long ago gave rise to a fascinating and world-renowned strand of lighthouses and lifesaving stations from Currituck to Cape Fear. For more than two centuries, these bright beacons of safety have guided ships into busy harbors, signaled dangerous navigational obstacles, and warmed the hearts of homesick travelers. Their unique shapes and stoic beauty, as well as the adventures and lore that surround them, have elevated North Carolina's lighthouses to a legendary level far beyond their practical purposes. Indeed, they have become symbols of a brave and triumphant way of life. As the use of satellite navigation increases, many of the lighthouses along the coast are being phased out of operation. Not surprisingly, a new wave of travelers have begun making pilgrimages, whether by land or sea, to visit these famous landmarks. Tourists from all over the world now make the journey to lighthouses at Currituck Beach, Bodie Island, Cape Hatteras, and others. North Carolina Lighthouses and Lifesaving Stations presents to readers the tales behind the lighthouses, illuminating their past in both word and image.

One of the most enigmatic figures of the American Revolutionary War, Colonel David Fanning is best known for his 1781 capture of Thomas Burke, the governor of North Carolina. As a Loyalist officer, Fanning fought in more than thirty minor engagements across the Carolinas, serving as commander of Loyalist forces during the Battle of Lindley's Mill--the largest battle fought between the Whigs and Loyalists during the Tory War of 1781-82. His successes on behalf of the British government led to his being banned from North Carolina after the war. This first full-length biography chronicles Fanning's deeds through some of the most brutal fighting in the Carolinas, and his postwar tribulations in British East Florida, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

With this unprecedented pictorial history, author John Hairr chronicles the story of Harnett County, beginning with the earliest days of settlement till the mid-twentieth century.Maps and charts show the growth of the county and various industries, while photographs illustrate various communities, people, and events that changed the region. Within these pages, over 200 vintage photographs are proudly presented. Many of these images have never before been published. All of the towns and communities throughout Harnett - Erwin, Lillington, Johnsonville, Kipling, Duncan, Dunn, Olivia, Coats, Angier, Chalybeate Springs, and Bunnlevel - are represented within the work, as are several striking rural scenes. Readers visit old-time iron mines, tobacco farms, and denim manufacturers. Other views show the making of moonshine, naval stores, railroads and aviation, churches that no longer stand, and a host of people who have shaped the history of Harnett.

The Caribbean monk seal was once a thriving and significant part of the tropical marine ecosystem of Florida, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico. Today, it is believed extinct. John Hairr relates the history and fate of this fascinating and charismatic marine mammal, showing the reciprocal impact between man and seal. This story does not end happily, but it gives us good reason not to procrastinate in conservation efforts for other endangered species.

No marine predator receives as much popular attention as the great white shark, yet this fascinating creature is still not well-known in all parts of its range. Author John Hairr brings some light to the travels of this species along the Florida coastline and in the Gulf of Mexico, through historical records and interviews with those divers, fishermen, and marine biologists fortunate enough to have encountered great whites in this region. Several photos of sharks captured by marine scientists and fishermen in southeastern waters are included.