Back from the Deep: The Strange Story of the Sister Subs Squalus and SculpinThis epic World War II submarine saga follows the sister boats Squalus and Sculpin as they play out their dramatic destinies in the Pacific. The author, a seasoned journalist, re-creates their entire perilous journey, beginning with the rigorous stateside preparation of the crew. That training was put to the test almost immediately when the Squalus sank during a test dive in 1939. The revolutionary use of the McCann diving bell to save 33 trapped crewmen and the Sculpin's role in that historic rescue are the first of many incongruous twists of fate that bring the two subs together. The saga continues when the Squalus undergoes an unprecedented salvage and, rechristened the Sailfish, redeems its reputation through three years of battle. The extraordinary ordeals shared by the inseparable Squalus-Sailfish and Sculpin are described in gripping detail as the author skillfully weaves together the tragic defeat of the Sculpin by a Japanese destroyer and the frenetic wrath of its sister sub. The intertwined fates of the two boats come to an eerie climax as the Sailfish unleashes a ten-hour attack on the Japanese aircraft carrier Chuyo amid a raging typhoon, unwittingly killing 22 of the 43 prisoners captured from the sunken Sculpin. The narrative travels with the surviving 21 Sculpin crewmen as they face incredible hardships, torture, and disease as POWs in Japan. Today veterans of both boats view themselves as a single company and share annual reunions. Back from the Deep is certain to instill a renewed appreciation for the intrepid men and stealthy ships that were the soul of the Pacific campaign's silent service. |
Contents
THE SHORT LIFE OF THE SQUALUS | 1 |
THE LAST DIVE OF THE SCULPIN | 75 |
THE VALLEY OF DARKNESS | 143 |
Copyright | |
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Back from the Deep: The Strange Story of the Sister Subs Squalus and Sculpin Carl LaVO No preview available - 2012 |
Common terms and phrases
aboard American arrived Ashio attack barracks battery battle Bayles began boat boat's bomb Brown Bryson camp captain carrier Chappell Chuyo command compartment Connaway conning tower control room crew crewmen cruiser deck depth charges destroyer diesels dive divers downhaul enemy engine rooms escape exploded Falcon feet fire fleet forward torpedo room George Rocek going guards hatch head hull induction Island Isles of Shoals Japan Japanese Keller Kittery knew later Lockwood Manila McLees Mihalowski miles Momsen Momsen lung Mumma Naquin night ocean officer operators overhead Pacific passed patrol Pearl Harbor periscope Philippines planes pontoons Portsmouth Portsmouth Naval Shipyard POWs Preble prisoners rescue bell returned Sailfish Sailfish and Sculpin Sculpin survivors ship Silent Victory sinking skipper Squalus survivors stood submarine submerged surface tank Tokyo Truk Tucker U.S. Navy underseas USS Squalus valves vessel veterans Voge Ward warships Yamagumo yard