On Board a U.S. Submarine
by Theiss, Lewis E. 1878-
pub. by W.A. Wilde Co, Boston, Massachusetts - 1940 -     - - LCCN 40-034111 - -- pen and ink illustration on title page -- dedication p. iii -- Forward p. v-vii -- Contents p. ix-x -- 308 pages.

In 23 chapters the author introduces a young man who is a model person, Eagle Scout etc. He is an orphan raised by his wealthy uncle who has exposed him to the world including international travel. The young man, known by his nickname Speed, happens to be driving behind a man whose car has a tire blowout and ends up hitting a stump off the road. Speed saves the man, using his first aid training. The man happens to be US Navy Submarine Commander Armstrong. He takes him to where the man was headed... the major submarine base and training center in New London, Connecticut. Commander Armstrong is treated at the base infirmary.

Speed is given a 2+ day tour of the base and many things about submarine operation, including the Mumson Lung and submarine rescue are included. He stays as a guest at the Bachelor Officers Quarters. Actually the meat of the book really begins with this chapter. Much of the rest of the book explains how submarines (in this immediate WWII period in 1939-1940) time. This book was published about 1 year before the attack at Pearl Harbor. The book describes Submarine stories from -The Great World War (meaning WWI) and from a modern perspective one can see it is setting up explanation of what the submarine service might be like in the coming war.

Speed goes home, takes the family 30 foot fishing boat out on a trial run, becomes disabled when the propeller hits a log and survives a storm. As the storm passes he finds himself in the flotilla of submarines led by Commander Armstrong heading south toward Puerto Rico leading the group. He is picked up and as orders were to head south in haste, Speed is taken along. A radio message is sent to his folks concerning his safety. Over the next few days he learns much more about submarines, which seems to be the reason for which this book was written. After an encounter with a burning tanker, and a storm at sea, Speed is taken off by a US Coast Guard boat, to be taken ashore, and presumably home. Here the story abruptly ends.

I think this book was to bring the attention of its readers to submarine warfare and the dangers to the crews. No doubt the author expected that USA would soon be involved in war.

An interesting read for what it is. And to understand the hazards and operation of submarines in 1940, shortly before USA entered WWII. I picked it up in a booksale out of general interest.

~2021-10-05~

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