Nishan
Contributor
Arthur C. Clarke wrote 3 books about diving in Sri Lanka. The best known are 'Reefs of Taprobane', and 'Treasure of the Great Reef'. These two were part of the Blue Planet Trilogy together with 'The Coast of Coral' (based on his adventures on the GBR in Australia). The 3rd and less well known book on diving in SL is Indian Ocean Adventure.
Answers to your questions;
1. Reefs of Taprobane by Arthur C. Clarke
I dont have the original version but the new paperback version I have is by ibooks (ISBN 0-7434-4502-3) and the particular story is on page 138.
2. ..and only a few feet below them, was the largest fish Mike had ever seen from such close quarters. It was the inevitable giant grouper and this time he was a giant, all of fifteen feet long. He was massively built that though he was actually moving he appeared at first to be motionle, like a submarine poised in mid-ocean. His body was about four feet thick and he could obviously swallow either of the divers at a gulp should he feel so inclined.
3. The scene of this encounter is the Admiralty Floating Dock in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. I didnt find a reference to Elphinston Inlet in the book and dont know of such a place in Trincomalee (looked at the Admiralty charts). There is an island called Elephant Island so maybe you are referring to that.
I think the size of the grouper is probably a bit exaggerated but must certainly have been a huge fish. Have dived the same place and its quite interesting although part of the wreck is now broken up. Good fish life and some big groupers!
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Nishan
Answers to your questions;
1. Reefs of Taprobane by Arthur C. Clarke
I dont have the original version but the new paperback version I have is by ibooks (ISBN 0-7434-4502-3) and the particular story is on page 138.
2. ..and only a few feet below them, was the largest fish Mike had ever seen from such close quarters. It was the inevitable giant grouper and this time he was a giant, all of fifteen feet long. He was massively built that though he was actually moving he appeared at first to be motionle, like a submarine poised in mid-ocean. His body was about four feet thick and he could obviously swallow either of the divers at a gulp should he feel so inclined.
3. The scene of this encounter is the Admiralty Floating Dock in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. I didnt find a reference to Elphinston Inlet in the book and dont know of such a place in Trincomalee (looked at the Admiralty charts). There is an island called Elephant Island so maybe you are referring to that.
I think the size of the grouper is probably a bit exaggerated but must certainly have been a huge fish. Have dived the same place and its quite interesting although part of the wreck is now broken up. Good fish life and some big groupers!
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Nishan