Under Pressure: The Final Voyage of Submarine S-Five

by A.J. Hill

Book Overview

In 1917, the American Navy entered a new era in sea power with the introduction of the S-Class submarine. But questions remained about its reliability. In 1920, on its first, fateful voyage, the S-Five would attempt to provide answers. But after a senior crew member failed to close a valve during a crash dive, the S-Five was flooded with seawater and stranded 180 feet beneath the Atlantic. Her main electrical system, her radio, and one of her drive...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451209117
• ISBN13: 9780451209115
• Release Date: August 2003
• Publisher: New American Library
• Length: 239 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

A Real-Life Thriller!

The story of the S-5 is one I've been familiar with my whole life, the executive officer LT Grisham (whose nickname was "Jim" not "Charlie") was my grandfather. He and his wife Mary were not getting ready to start a family, my mother was four years old at the time. I don't want to give away the ending, so I think I needed to make clear that my existence was not predicated on LT Grisham's survival. The book is a real page-turner, I read it in one sitting. Although I was well aware of the outcome, Mr. Hill kept me enthralled. My heart was beating fast and my hands were sweaty. It is an inspiring book, uplifting to read about the honor and valor of men in terrifying predicaments. It's also a graphic description of the conditions aboard submarines in the early days of the silent service.A MUST-READ

Required reading for all submarine enthusiast

This is an absolute "must read" for any submarine buff, but especially so if you like "S" boats. Not just for the on edge excitement of the accident and rescue but for life in general as a submariner onboard an S-class sub in the early years of the silent service. Not much reading of this quality is available covering this time span in the subs and "Under Pressure" strikes the nail on the head. This book is proof that you dont have to have a war to have heroes, highly recommended reading.

A Submariner's Review

A J Hill is a non-fiction equivalent to Tom Clancy. As a former nuclear submariner, I found myself unable to tear my eyes from the book. While the technical details are well-described and accurate, the marvelous thing about the book is its portrayal of its characters. Savvy Cooke was a tortured man, having suffered and persevered through the sinking of two ships he commanded and the suicide of his first wife. Men like these are the between-the-wars heroes Herman Wouk described in The Caine Mutiny. Hill paints Savvy Cooke with the same brush. When's his next book?

Hard to put down!!

Wow! Things just keep getting worse and Cooke and his men teeter on the edge of eternity. This reads like great fiction and yet it's so obviously true to fact. A fabulous read!

A.J. Hill puts you in the sunken sub with the crew

This incredible story, which I'd never heard about before, took place in 1920 in a fairly primitive submarine (by today's standards). However, I believe it remains the only instance where the entire crew of a sunken sub was rescued. Lt. Commander Savvy Cook is as cool and calm and as great a leader of men in dire straits... Since they all survived, wrote letters, articles, and left a good first person record through official Navy records, Hill is able to place the reader on board the S-5 alongside with Savvy Cooke and his men. It is as gripping as any story of survival and rescue--think of how we all reacted to the recent rescue of the 9 trapped coal miners in PA. As exciting as any submarine or naval story ever written,... I can't recommend this book enough--this book is a gem. There's even an unbelievable photo of the stern of the S-5 sticking out of the water.