Customer Reviews

Naval Submarine Base New London (CT) (Images of America)

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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!

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".

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.

Arcadia's Images of America series of books are beautiful collections of photographs centered around a single subject. Here they've given this treatment to the home of American submarines, the base at New London, CT. As is usual in these books, they start with the first pictures available (which probably came from before it was a base at all), through the initial uses of the base, i.e. a coaling station for the Navy, and the first submarines.

The first was the USS Moccasin (SS-5), built in 1903 and in New London shortly after that. In 1916 it became the Submarine Base, it had a flotilla of subs being used in World War I. Gradually it grew to include the school that by World War II was producing the crews to take the war to the Japanese.

As usual, I find it difficult to see where they could have found all the photographs reproduced in this book. The normal layout is two pictures per page, so there are probably a couple of hundred pictures in this little book. It's a fascinating book.

I just love the Images of America series. I have spent pretty much my whole life in the Groton, CT area, and have all the books about Groton and the surrounding towns. So, I was just THRILLED when I saw a historic 'Images..' book about the Groton/New London Naval Submarine Base. This base has been at the center of my entire life. My father served on subs for 20 years, my step-father for 22 years, and my husband is currently a Lieutenant Commander stationed in Groton on subs as well.

My dad managed to spend 18 of his 20 years in Groton, so the subase became a second home to me...it's so cool to see photos of the base in it's early days, and to actually see the growth and expansion of the base through pictures. I learned so much about the whole facility, and now look at certain buildings and areas with a whole new outlook. I know what used to be in places, and things that were torn down so newer buildings could be erected. If you have any ties to this base, I DEFINITELY recommend this book. Even if your not overly interested in the history, the photos alone are worth buying the book for. Very, very interesting.

Very informative. Reminded me of when I was stationed there. Learned some history that I didn't know. Good book.