Subject
United States. Navy -- Fiction Books
Best books
Claude C. (Claude Claire) Vickrey
Crash dive
"Crash dive by Claude C. Vickrey" is a naval adventure short story written in the late 1920s. It portrays a submarine training exercise that turns into a perilous emergency, focusing on seamanship, technical failure, and the crew’s ingenuity under extreme pressure. A young submarine officer narrates his first crash dive, where a cascading series of small errors culminates in the chief forgetting to shut the main induction valve. Flooding drives the boat to the bottom in mud at about one hundred thirty feet with the bow steeply down, trapping the crew and threatening them with dwindling air and chlorine gas from compromised batteries. Realizing they cannot pump out the water, the officers gamble on forcing the stern to the surface: they blow out fuel, oil, and fresh water, shift every movable weight forward, and work hand pumps in darkness as morale frays. After grueling hours they heel the submarine to roughly seventy-eight degrees, chisel through the exposed stern plating, and raise a makeshift distress flag. A Coast Guard destroyer spots the signal and rescues the exhausted men, capping the ordeal with the captain’s dry reply to a command query: “Position Vertical!”
H. Irving (Harrie Irving) Hancock
Dave Darrin on Mediterranean Service; or, With Dan Dalzell on European Duty
"Dave Darrin on Mediterranean Service; or, With Dan Dalzell on European Duty" by H. Irving Hancock is a naval adventure novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows two young ensigns, Dave Darrin and Dan Dalzell, as they encounter mystery and danger while serving aboard the battleship "Hudson" in the Mediterranean during World War I. The plot kicks off with the two friends in Gibraltar, where they get tangled up in a robbery involving a secret government document, setting the stage for further thrilling escapades. The opening portion introduces Darrin and Dalzell during an evening out at a theatre in Gibraltar, where they witness a brawl instigated by a suspicious character known as Mr. Green Hat. This leads to their involvement in the pursuit of a thief who steals a significant document from an American secret service agent, George Cushing. As Darrin and Dalzell navigate the ensuing chaos, they are swept into a deeper plot involving espionage that threatens to bring the United States into conflict with Great Britain. The narrative sets a gripping tone filled with camaraderie, suspense, and the perils of international intrigue, hinting at the larger challenges Darrin and Dalzell will face throughout their Mediterranean service.
Bertrand Shurtleff
Silence is—Deadly
"Silence is—Deadly" by Bertrand Shurtleff is a science fiction novel likely written in the early 1940s, during World War II. The story delves into the themes of technology and treachery, particularly highlighting the pivotal role of radio communication in naval operations. The narrative unfolds aboard the U.S. Cruiser "Comerford", where the invention of a Czech scientist threatens the safety of the ship and its crew amidst escalating war tensions. The plot follows Commander Bob Curtis, who faces both external danger and internal betrayal as he navigates through a treacherous situation. Zukor Androka, an eccentric scientist, has developed a device capable of creating a zone of radio silence that disrupts communication. When a storm hits, Curtis and his crew discover they are cut off from essential navigational tools, leading to a dangerous collision. The plot thickens when it's revealed that Androka has allied with Nazi agents, using his technology to assist their plans. As Curtis regains control, he must battle both Androka's destructive inventions and the treachery within his own ranks, culminating in a fierce confrontation to reclaim the "Comerford" and thwart the enemy's ambitions.
Thorne Smith
Biltmore Oswald : $b The diary of a hapless recruit
"Biltmore Oswald: The Diary of a Hapless Recruit" by J. Thorne Smith, Jr. is a comedic novel written in the early 20th century. The book presents a humorous narrative of Oswald, an inexperienced recruit in the Navy, as he goes through rigorous training and encounters various absurd situations and colorful characters. The story likely explores themes of camaraderie, the challenges of military life, and the humorous absurdities of boot camp. At the start of the diary, the protagonist, Oswald, humorously details his enlistment process, showcasing his overwhelming inexperience and the bemusement of the officers around him. His attempts to impress the enlistment officer backfire as he realizes that his lack of genuine sailing experience paints him as a stereotypical hapless recruit. Following this, Oswald's physical examination and subsequent experiences provide a comedic commentary on the various eccentricities of military life, as he navigates interactions with fellow recruits, medical personnel, and his own mother, who expresses exaggerated concern for his well-being. The tone is light-hearted and satirical, laying the groundwork for a comical exploration of his journey in the Navy.
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