Disasters of the Deep: A History of Submarine Tragedies [Hardcover]

Edwyn Gray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2003

First published in 1986 as Few Survived and back by popular demand in a revised and updated edition, this book presents a comprehensive account of every peacetime submarine disaster from 1774 to the sinking of the Kursk in 2000. Noted naval historian Edwyn Gray examines many of the sinkings in considerable detail, analyzing what went wrong and describing attempts to rescue the crew and the vessel. In tandem he traces the development of the submarine from the earliest experimental submersibles of the late eighteenth century to the nuclear powered giants of today. Gray taps the resources of the United States, French, Italian, Danish and Japanese navies, as well as the Royal Navy Submarine Museum and German U-Boat archive for this inclusive listing to provide an invaluable reference that also makes absorbing reading. Illustrations. 61/4 x 91/4 inches.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Edwyn Gray, an internationally known British writer on naval subjects, is the author of numerous books, including Nineteenth Century Torpedoes and Their Inventors, Operation Pacific and The Devil's Device.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 306 pages
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press (November 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591142148
• ISBN-13: 978-1591142140
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,616,488 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Written by an author who knows his subject., May 30, 2008

By 

Ned Middleton (British professional underwater photo-journalist & author) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Disasters of the Deep: A History of Submarine Tragedies (Hardcover)

Tragedy at sea comes in many different forms with almost every account making compelling reading. There are instances of amazing rescues and people being adrift for many days. Then, of course, there are the mysteries and so it goes on. There is, however, something quite sinister about the loss of a submarine where those unfortunate enough to be trapped - even in shallow water, are unable to simply abandon ship.

In this book, acknowledged expert, writer and naval historian Edwyn Gray gives the reader a first rate insight into a number of submarine accidents. From the first clumsy attempts at submarine design in 1774 right up to the nuclear-powered age, this is, as the title suggests, a thorough survey into submarines lost by several of the world's navies.

In many ways, the book is a collection of short stories - with frequent cross-reference from one story to the next. It is an incredible series of real-life adventures including death and survival. Once started, it is also a book which is hard to put down.

NM