Customer Reviews

The Dragon's Breath: Hurricane at Sea

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My dad's dad went down with the Warrington. I don't call him as my grandfather because I never met him, he was not one of the survivors. This book gave me alot of information as to why I never met him. The author, who was the commanding officer just before she sunk, had a very good grasp of what was wrong with "his" ship. Like any good CO should. As I am now in the navy and have been on warships, I can easily make comparisons between today's navy, and 'my grandfather's' navy. As I was reading this book, I started wondering if this incident is what changed the way the navy handles preventitive maintenance today. This warship was pretty messed up before the hurricane got'em. I also wondered what I would have done if my dad died when I was 7. This was a very well written, insightful book. I only gave it 4 stars because my grandfather's name is only mentioned once, in an appendex along with the rest of those who perished. As good as this book was, I can't imagine I would have read it if it wasn't personal.

I know Commander Dawes & some of the Survivors. My father was a Plank Owner (Commissioning Crew) of the Warrington & was transfered a year and a half before it sank. His picture is on page 132. Comm. Dawes pulled no punches & told it like it was. The book tells more then just the sinking, it tells about little known history, like the fact that it's the only U.S. ship of war that the King of England has been on, that I know of. The book is now out of print, however, if you can find a copy, it is well worth reading.