Using an anthropologically oriented research design this investigation of the wrecks of six sailing ships dating from the middle to late nineteenth century shows how merchant sailing attempted to compete with steamships not only through technological adaptation but also through increased risk taking Souza addresses risk taking behavior its archaeological signatures and supporting evidence Highlights include maps photographs and contemporary illustrations tables of anchor and chain size a list of all wrecking vessels known to have operated in Dry Tortugas and a glossary of nautical terms The result is a work with broad applications to the study of cultural change and a model for a new kind of underwater archaeology