Shipwrecks
   diving into history

Book & Internet Reviews

First U-boat Flotilla
By Lawrence Paterson. Pen & Sword/Leo Cooper. ISBN 0-85052-816-X £19.95

In this dramatic story, Lawrence Paterson draws on the original war diary entries of Germany's premier submarine unit, the 1st U-boat Flotilla, to describe events of the war at sea from 1939 to 1944. Compiled by the flotilla commander, the war diary was a formal record that included combat results. From laying mines along Britain's eastern seaboard to the desperate final battles, the roller-coaster fortunes of Karl Doenitz's "Grey Wolves" are recorded in detail. War diary entries include the commencement of hostilities, the first clashes, the Battle of the Atlantic, and much more. Appendixes detail the U-boat types of the first flotilla and German submarine development between the wars. Both U-boat enthusiasts and those with a taste for adventure will be engrossed by the skilled narrative that captures the immediacy of the day-to-day high-risk operations. 

Goldfinder - sorry, not available on-line
By Keith Jessop. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0 684 858630.             £5.99

No, not James Bond’s Goldfinger!  This true story based in the UK allows us to live our dreams of finding buried treasure.  Keith Jessop, a Yorkshireman and “old-time” diver, tells his stories of salvage and commercial diving including his ambitious project to salvage the gold off H.M.S. Edinburgh — a WW2 victim loaded with Russian gold. An interesting and easy to read book it culminates in an example of the nasty reality that often emerges when large sums of money become involved.  Receiver of the Wreck or not,  the British Government and his hungry taxman can be quite persuasive!   It’s easy to forget that this book is not fiction.  However exciting a time the author had though, we must also remember that he may have been responsible for that all too frequent ‘propellorless’ wreck we dive upon today!

Hard to put down once started.  A must for any wreck diver.  Also many useful addresses and tips for the researcher.

The Sea Hunters
By Clive Cussler. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0 671 51669 8. £6.29

No...not another Titanic raising expedition, this is non-fiction. An easy-to-read book following Clive and his group in their search for undiscovered wrecks. The majority are from the American Civil War with three from WW1 and a further wreck from WW2. Each wreck history is told as a story (with a little artistic license) with a chapter following on how they found it.

It makes nice reading as Clive & Co. investigate muddy rivers, the English Channel, Denmark’s coast and a Texas car park (!). Interesting, inspiring and also an indication that Mr Cussler does have a sense of humour (well his hero is named “Dirk Pitt”).

It also won’t break the bank, coming in at under £7.00 in paperback.

U boat Operations of the Second World War - Volumes 1 & 2
By Kenneth Wynn. Chatham. ISBN 0 86176 069 8. £30 each

Excellent source material for any basic operational information required. Covering all German boats up to U4712, as well as the 15 captured boats, it gives builders, Feldpost number, dates for the laying of the keel, launching and commissioning. Amongst the rest of the information are lists of captains, flotilla attachments, brief operational histories for each sailing detailing sinkings and other noteworthy events, and of course the fate of the submarine itself.

Various appendices and indexes list wolfpack names and composition, as well as any ships - naval and merchant - and airforce squadrons mentioned in the text.

I recommend this book thoroughly as a  source of raw information.
The drawback? It ain’t cheap! Each volume sells for £30 in the shops.

...and the INTERNET

As you may have noticed the internet seems to be intruding into all walks of life.  Some of you out there may be happier with your quill and blotting paper, but I would like to stress that this section is not aimed at computer whizzkids but as a guide to us lesser mortals that are still struggling with programming the video recorder! Having access to a computer however is a prerequisite. 

I have squandered hour upon hour “surfing the net”.  Most of the time I get hopelessly lost and end up following endless routes down dead-ends!  With perseverance however I have found some superb web sites and so to save you a lot of frustration here’s some I’ve come up with: 

http://www.uboatwar.net
Everything you ever wanted to know about U-boats.  Sometimes heavy going but this site is packed full of information with nothing wsated on friviolities.

http://www.explore-gower.co.uk/shipwrecks
A site all about the Gower peninsular in Wales.  This section is concerned with shipwrecks in the area and boasts some fantastic photography.

http://www.subart.net
Submarines, submarines, and submarines......all countries and eras.  An on-line art gallery exhibiting submarine paintings.  Some work is for sale.

http://www.liddiard.demon.co.uk
Underwater photography and journalism by John Liddiard

http://www.subsearecovery.com
Handy site with 2nd hand underwater survey equipment for sale including a magnetometer that I’d very much like to get my hands on!