The Submarine: a History

THE SUBMARINE: A History BY THOMAS PARRISH PENGUIN GROUP, 2004 576 PAGES, $29.95

This may not be the definitive book on submarines, but it sure comes close. The author, a specialist in military history, gives readers an absorbing account of this underwater craft, beginning with the recent recovery of the Civil War's Hundley. Brought to the surface from its watery grave near Charleston, S.C., on Aug. 8, 2000, it had torpedoed a Union ship, then itself sank about one-half mile away. Entombed were the bodies of its nine crew members. They were the needed manpower for turning the shafts that engaged the propeller, enabling the vessel to navigate at four knots. With this introduction, Thomas Parrish now treats us to a review of the trials, tragedies, and successes of this behemoth of the deep, ranging from early models with wheels to move on the ocean floor to the latest in nuclear submarines, such as the 447-foot-long Triton, which can hurl Polaris missiles and circumnavigate the globe without resurfacing.

The evolution in the technology of the craft is fascinating, as the author shows how the steam engine, storage batteries, gas and diesel engines, and lastly, nuclear power, all were tested as propellants. The difficulties encountered by each are delineated. Improvements such as double hulls, diving planes to power descents, gyroscopes, periscopes, deck guns, snorkels, increased torpedo capacity, etc. bring us up to date on this mighty vessel.

Contributors to the birth and technology of the submarine were many, among whom Robert Fulton was prominent. Paradoxically, the two "fathers of the submarine," John Holland and Simon Lake (the latter was founder of the Electric Boat Company) had a problem in selling its idea to the military in various countries. Navy bigwigs thought it simply was a novelty, and when it did become fully operational, were indecisive in categorizing it as a "commerce raider" or a warship. The deadly use of torpedoes solved the issue, as in World War I when a German U-beat sank three British cruisers in a single day.

Opening up a new mode of warfare, navies of the world had to rethink their role. Previously, battleships were their big weapons. New rules of international law had to be promulgated for this brazen l'enfant terrible, as increased tonnage sunk shook the authorities from their old style of thinking. New strategies to cope with this menace met the challenge. Ships now zig-zagged and found mutual protection in convoys although German wolfpacks wreaked havoc on these, too.

In the early days, publicity was garnered as Clara Barton of Red Cross fame rode in one primitive model. So did the feisty Teddy Roosevelt, who championed its use and urged the entry of the U.S. into World War I against Pres. Woodrow Wilson's reluctance. Wilson wanted a "peace without victory," but finally saw that to "make the world safe for democracy," this country could not sit on the sidelines.

Submarine disasters were frequent and fatal. One was the sinking of the American Aqualus in 1939. It lay helpless at a depth of 240 feet. Twenty-six sailors died, but 33 were saved through use of a diving bell fastened to a hatch and then cranked to the surface. Another aid for rescuing trapped submariners was the Momsen lung designed to facilitate floating to the surface.

If the devil is in the details, he is omnipresent in this marvelous and well-researched book. There is an interesting account of the difficulties in producing and launching accurate and deadly torpedoes. The Hundley fastened one at the end of a rod and rammed it into the belly of its target. Other early ones were hurled at a ship through a kind of "crack the whip" procedure. Later models exploded by a magnetized head making contact with their intended victim. Many veered from their path, while others never exploded, causing anger and frustration by crews who risked their lives getting close to their target.

The worth of the submarine can be seen in the damage it causes. The top German commander of World War II sank 194 ships and American submarines accounted for 10,000,-000 tonnage of Japanese shipping. The cost was high, however, as the U.S. lost 52 subs and the lives of 3,505 of their sailors. In many ways, this book is a tribute to them.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Society for the Advancement of Education
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group