Naval Submarine Base New London (CT) (Images of America) [Paperback]

David J. Bishop (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 20, 2005

The first U.S. naval submarine base traces its origin to 1868, when the state of Connecticut and the city of New London granted the navy one hundred twelve acres of land across the Thames River in Groton. Naval Submarine Base New London shows how this land developed from a depot for dry-docked ships and a coaling stationfor navy warships to its present designation as a submarine base. Nearly two hundred images depict the sailors and civilian workers who together maintained, serviced, and staffed the submarines, shops, and offices in support of the growing submarine fleet.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David J. Bishop compiled Naval Submarine Base New London from the archives of the Submarine Force Library and Museum and his personal collection. Bishop was employed at the submarine base from 1971 to 1997 and is the former curator of both the Submarine Force Library and Museum and the New London Maritime Society's 1833 Robert Mills Custom House Museum.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (July 20, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738538086
• ISBN-13: 978-0738538082
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,106,989 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Has Phoenix Really Arisen Again?, September 5, 2005

By 

jkm3rd "Former Naval Person" (Florida East Coast) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Naval Submarine Base New London (CT) (Images of America) (Paperback)

Born in New London 76 years ago while Daddy was attending Submarine School, returning in 1937 while my father was in charge of the landmark submarine escape training tower standing 100++ feet tall on the base waterfront and then taking command of a locally built and one of the first WWII famed fleet subs, and then returning a third time to attend "Sub School" myself, I feel kind of close to "The Base!" And immensely relieved that it was spared the ignominy of being shut down recently by a somewhat ignorant decision of the Dept of Defense. This book, rushed to completion to help influence the reviewing committee, is excellent, a superb photographic compendium of the cradle of the superb US Submarine Force. The contribution of this Force and this Base to victory in first the Pacific WWII and then the Cold War is immeasurable. Author David Bishop, intimately familiar by both profession and interest in Sub Base, New London, has compiled a photographic essay that is to be treasured by all proud wearers of the twin dolphins (the submariner's qualification insignia) as well as the vast number to whom submarines and submariners are fascinating subjects. Well done!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely recommend this book..., August 11, 2005

By 

Deana - See all my reviews

This review is from: Naval Submarine Base New London (CT) (Images of America) (Paperback)

Bishop beautifully captured the history of the New London Subase in such a way that I felt as through I'd just browsed through photographs stored in my grandfather's old military footlocker! I enjoyed reading the factual and interesting captions under the chronologically arranged photos. It was refreshing to read a historic depiction (of the subase) that maintained a personal and intimate look into the faces and places that shaped the "submarine capitol of the world".

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Photographic History, July 30, 2005

By 

Gloria Woerheide "Webmaster newlondoncountygu... (Norwich, Connecticut) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Naval Submarine Base New London (CT) (Images of America) (Paperback)

I am a submarine fan and live near the Naval Submarine Base New London, in Groton, CT. The base has a long 137 year history, the first submarines having come from our area of Connecticut. It is home to many of our U. S. submarines, the Submarine Force Museum and the Naval Submarine School. Often as I drive by the base, I wonder what it looks like inside. So when a recent newspaper article mentioned this book. I decided to get a copy. This is the first book I have seen with so many old photos of the base and old submarines. I enjoyed it and the look back in time it provided. I was amazed to see how the base came into being and its evolution from a rural site in 1868 to the home of the sub base and school it is today.

Photos of the old submarines as well as the old wooden buildings that were there years ago are fascinating. There are maps included that show the base in 1868, 1915, 1919, 1944 and 1988. These maps really help place the old and new buildings and show how the base expanded. This book is a true history lesson. It would interest anyone who was ever stationed at the base, submarine aficionados, World War II history buffs, and folks like me, who just wondered about the base.