Stealth at Sea: The History of the Submarine

Before settling down to read this book, I glanced through the 30 pictures arranged together in two areas of the book and immediately learned something which I felt I ought to have known. I was well aware that HM Submarine MI had been fitted with a single 12 inch battleship gun and that M2 had an aeroplane hangar capable of housing a floatplane. What I did not know was that M2 had also been originally fitted with a large gun before being converted to seaplane duties. Whilst many might think this comment superfluous, the two photographs of HMS M2 showing her in both roles, reveals more information than a photograph of both M1 and M2. As a champion of detailed research, this exposes the degree of thought which has gone into even the minor aspects of this work. First published in 1994, this author starts right at the very beginning with an informative account of early submersibles when others have avoided the work of those submarine pioneers - if only because their efforts were not as well recorded as modern historians would like to find. Having made a good start, it is uphill all the way with flags flying as we read and learn about one of the most intriguing maritime vessels and weapons of war ever conceived. There is the very first U Boat, Nautilus and HMS Holland before we arrive at WW1 where, of course, we encounter the contentious loss of the Lusitania. The author continues through the inter-war years as he switches from one Navy to another and approaches the dark years of WW2. Then it's all about Convoys and Wolf Packs on one side of the world and the US vs Japan on the other. From the largest "milk cows" used for refuelling at sea to the miniature X-Craft, their story is found here. After WW2, the book enters the nuclear age and concludes with a photo of the Russian "Typhoon" which, at that time was the largest submarine ever constructed. This is probably the best history of the submarine one is ever likely to discover and has been skilfully put together by a master craftsman historian. I really cannot think of a better introduction to the subject. NM