Down to the Sea in Subs: My life in the U.S. Navy Review

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(More customer reviews)Charles A. Lockwood was one of those giants that you've never heard of, but his story is inspirational in it's breadth, impact, and honesty.
If you're an afficionado of sub-tech, try this: His first submarine was the A-2. What other book takes you for a "guided" tour of one of the first submarines ever built? What book describes what it was like to pilot an actual "Pig Boat," the second submarine ever purchased by the USN?
He takes you through to the B Class. He speaks enviously of the new, larger C Class. Over time we go through the numbers. Post WW-I it's Lockwood who's chosen to pilot a captured U-Boat - and he compares the German technology with his own. The USA comes up short, in his eyes, and he walks you through how improvements are made.
It's awesome.
You prefer straight history? Lockwood took over A-2 at Cavite, and gives a great overview of what life was like in Colonial Manila. His autobiography spans from pre-WWI into the coming of WWII - and then it gets even *more* interesting.
Lockwood, as you surely know if you are reading this, eventually commanded the whole of the US Pacific Submarine force. How he got that gig is a story of government inertia, but eventual common sense, that's worth reading.
His solution of the Torpedo Problem is inspiring, and a classic American Tale.
Down to the Sea In Subs is a story that drips with real patriotism, but no jingoism. He whitewashes nothing, making his praise all the more valuable.
It was Lockwood who met with each sub skipper, and befriended many - only to see them never come back. You feel his pain, you feel his pride. You even feel his envy at not getting to go on a single war cruise (he certainly tried).
I do not write this review to make you jealous, for I know that this book is no longer in print. Nor am I selling my copy, so this isn't an ad.
Instead: if there was ever a book that should be reprinted, it is this one. Send a quick note to the USNI Press. Get this re-released as a bluejacket book.
Down to the Sea in Subs compares very favorably to Pacific War Diary. It is a seminal and important work, and it should be available to all.


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