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. |
From inside the book
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Page 141
... Unyo and Chuyo , conditions were miserable for one group of prisoners and adequate for the other . The compartment that held the men on the Unyo was well ventilated . Rations were brought in three times a day . And two intelligence ...
... Unyo and Chuyo , conditions were miserable for one group of prisoners and adequate for the other . The compartment that held the men on the Unyo was well ventilated . Rations were brought in three times a day . And two intelligence ...
Page 142
... Unyo . " We thought we had been hit . We didn't know what had happened . No battle stations were sounded . Then we feel the ship pick up speed , " said Keller . “ It was then that one of the other prisoners said , ' Christ , a submarine ...
... Unyo . " We thought we had been hit . We didn't know what had happened . No battle stations were sounded . Then we feel the ship pick up speed , " said Keller . “ It was then that one of the other prisoners said , ' Christ , a submarine ...
Page 226
... Unyo , 5 , 140 , 141 , 142 , 154 Uraga Bay , 153 Urakazi , 146 , 152 , 153 Uyo Maru , 170 V valley of darkness , 177 Voge , Lt. Cdr . Richard George , 91 , 93 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 100 , 108 , 109 , 200 volunteers attracted to submarine ...
... Unyo , 5 , 140 , 141 , 142 , 154 Uraga Bay , 153 Urakazi , 146 , 152 , 153 Uyo Maru , 170 V valley of darkness , 177 Voge , Lt. Cdr . Richard George , 91 , 93 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 100 , 108 , 109 , 200 volunteers attracted to submarine ...
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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 battery battle began bell boat boat's bridge Brown camp captain carrier caused chamber charges close coming command compartment conning tower control room crew crewmen deck deep depth destroyer dive divers door enemy engine rooms escape exploded face Falcon feet finally fire five fleet force forward four George Brown going guards hand Harbor hatch head hull inside Island Japan Japanese keep Keller knew later light looked lost miles months moved Mumma Naquin naval Navy never night ocean officer operators ordered passed patrol Pearl planes Portsmouth POWs prepared prisoners recalled reported rescue returned Rocek Sailfish says Sculpin seemed ship side sinking skipper Squalus stood submarine surface survivors tank thought told took torpedo Truk turned United valves vessel Ward weeks yard