Overdue and Presumed Lost: The Story of the USS Bullhead (Bluejacket Books) [Paperback]

Martin Sheridan (Author)

Book Description

Series: Bluejacket Books | Publication Date: February 2004

The USS Bullhead was the last American naval vessel lost in World War II. This is the submarine's history - from launch to disappearance - as told by the only war correspondent allowed on a wartime submarine patrol. Narrow escapes from floating mines, diving to avoid enemy aircraft, and a daring sortie to rescue three badly hurt Army survivors of a downed B-52.crew are just a few of the adventures recounted. Trained as a feature writer, author Martin Sheridan knew how to share his experiences, the intangible spirit of camaraderie and sense of danger, as well as the humorous and poignant incidents of everyday living. First published in 1947, the narrative is based on a journal kept by the author during the Bullhead's first war patrol in March-April 1945 and supplemental information from official Navy reports. It captures the perilous undersea war in the Pacific as only a first-hand account can, supported by a unique collection of period photographs.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Martin Sheridan, an author and former war correspondent for the Boston Globe, lives in Gilman, Connecticut.

Product Details

• Paperback: 143 pages
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press (February 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591147867
• ISBN-13: 978-1591147862
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,091,933 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Overdue & Presumed Lost: The Story Of The USS Bullhead, July 19, 2006

By 

Charles H. Piatt - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Overdue and Presumed Lost: The Story of the USS Bullhead (Bluejacket Books) (Paperback)

My older brother was one of the 84 officers & crew lost on the Bullhead. I had been searching for some information about him for a long time because I was only 11 years old when WWII ended. He was 12 years older than I and joined the navy, as did our father in WWI, when he was just a youngster of 19. He had a son, my nephew, whom he saw only once or twice. The Bullhead was the last US Naval vessel lost during the war. It went down in the Java Sea in early August of '45 only weeks before the Japanese surrender in September. I never knew what my brother did on the boat. He was the baker and is mentioned in two or three paragraphs on page 40 of the book. It has given me a sense of closure because I never knew what happened or when my brother lost his life in service to our country. I'm glad I found the book and can recommend it to anyone interested in naval history.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling first hand look at life aborad a WWII sub, February 3, 2005

By 

Cahazlitt (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Overdue and Presumed Lost: The Story of the USS Bullhead (Bluejacket Books) (Paperback)

Overdue and Presumed Lost is a moving account of the patrols of the USS Bullhead. The author who was aboard the submarine's first patrole captures the drama as well as humor of life on a submarine on active patrol. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about the "silent service" of our Armed Forces. The author's style of writing makes this a quick read yet also a moving account.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "diesel boats forever", April 14, 2006

By 

Robert B. Cushman "R B Cushman" (Cedar Crest, NM United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Overdue and Presumed Lost: The Story of the USS Bullhead (Bluejacket Books) (Paperback)

This was a good book for anyone who has served aboard a diesel boat. The style was that of a writer who did not fully understand the "mind of a submariner (SUB-ma-REEN-er)", . . . but who could blame him! He was a reporter, the only one ever allowed to go on patrol during the "real thing". The language is somewhat typical of the flavor that was fed to the public in those days, but if for no other reason than that, it is worth a place on the library shelf of all of us who have served aboard the diesel boats. It is historically important. I recommend it to all lovers of the "Silent Service", of whom I am one, qualified to wear the "twin dolphins".