The most famous example is the Constellation, a 200-foot schooner which was writer Peter Benchley's inspiration for the book The Deep.

BBC: Wreck diving in Bermuda

Peter Benchley set the beach-reading standard almost 30 years ago with Jaws, which made you afraid to go in the water.

FORBES: Don't Go Near The Volcano

This summer, Simon Winchester has gone Benchley one better with Krakatoa, which makes you afraid even to go near the shore.

FORBES: Don't Go Near The Volcano

And if Benchley denied it, as he always did, Mr Mundus was still determined to make a splash of his own.

ECONOMIST: Frank Mundus

The difference being, naturally, that the Algonquin survived the departure of its key members Alexander Woollcott, Dorothy Parker, Heywood Broun, Robert Benchley and all the rest.

FORBES: Elaine's bids farewell, as all hotspots eventually must.

If Benchley is correct, the answer would perhaps be no.

CNN: Fuelling our future