The Submarine Boys on Duty
 Life on a Diving Torpedo Boat

by Victor G. Durham

"The Submarine Boys on Duty" by Victor G. Durham is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around two enterprising young boys, Jack Benson and Hal Hastings, who aspire to work on the construction of a revolutionary submarine boat in the small town of Dunhaven. Their journey is filled with ambition, adventures in marine engineering, and the struggles of youth grappling with various challenges along the way. At the start of the novel, the two boys arrive in Dunhaven, dust-covered and eager for opportunity. They quickly learn about the submarine, known as "Pollard's Folly," being built at a nearby boatyard, which they are eager to join in working on. Their initial attempts to ingratiate themselves with the locals and the workmen at the boatyard introduce them to challenges, including a confrontation with a local bully, Dan Jaggers, and the foreman, Joshua Owen. The boys exhibit their resourcefulness throughout their interactions and quickly position themselves to secure jobs at the boatyard, hinging on their desire to be part of the innovative submarine project. Their adventure promises excitement, challenges, and the solidification of their dream in the burgeoning field of underwater warfare technology.