Sailing aboard submarines is clearly a hazardous business. They operate in a

hostile environment and do constant battle with the sea. Sometimes there are survivors; but on occasion, the sea wins, and all the crew members perish.

To put into perspective the hazards of operating submarines, some sixty-five

submarines built for the United States Navy have been lost during their service—more than 10 percent of the total number of submarines built by the U.S. Navy. Many were lost during declared wartime. Others were lost when the sea was the only declared foe, but the necessity of maintaining peace required that the submarines be put to sea.

Submarine Disasters provides a meticulously researched timeline of submarine disasters throughout the oceans during more than a century and a half of conflict. The book highlights in detail the circumstances of specific incidents, relates the heroic rescue attempts, discusses the evolving safety measures relating to the submarines themselves, details the programs dedicated to search and rescue, and describes the various surface and submarine craft and other assets that have been developed to save the crews and salvage the stricken boats.

Throughout their long histories, the submarine forces of the world have consistently striven to improve. Submarine Disasters is a compelling look at the world’s worst accidents that took place during this journey. It is a book that you’ll dive right into and won’t be able to put down.

I. Early Submarine Disasters (1850-1917), II. The Inter-War Years (1918-1939), III. World War II (1939-1945), IV. The Early Cold War (1945-1975), V. Toward a New Century (1975-2004), VI. Conclusions, VII. Search and Rescue Techniques, VIII. Rescue and Salvage Vessels and Equipment, Index.