After six years in the Royal Navy, Joel Blamey was conscripted into Britain's submarine service in 1926, aged 22. He went on to serve an unprecedented 28 years as a submariner, surviving peacetime accidents and World War II. At the age of 50, Joe returned to general service. He served on several submarines and survived several accidents, such as hitting an underwater pinnacle in Sidon and a collision in Seahorse, from which he was transferred before it was lost to enemy action.
As a beautiful, young, well-to-do young woman sits upon her family's beach on the shore of a secluded island in the Florida Keys, a man clad in little more than the ancient ocean salt emerges from the waves. Günther Prien is a young German officer stationed on a cruise ship, and Eola Pinder is little more than putty in his hands. Their encounter leads to the birth of a son, Thomas Luther, who is destined for a life of adventure as he desperately seeks the love of a father throughout some of the worst events Key West and the world have ever seen. Tom's life shapes up to be one adventure after another. He experiences an unlikely rescue as his room goes up in flames around his crib flames that may have been started by the man Tom believes is his father. He's held hostage during a bank robbery and is nearly swept overboard from the deck of a freighter off Cape Hattaras during a major hurricane. Finally, in the midst of World War II, he finds himself carried away in a German submarine in the hands of the enemy by a man who turns out to be his father. In this rich historical novel, an unlikely cast of characters struggles to find the strength to survive not only some of the most horrible tragedies in Florida's history, but some of the most difficult lessons individuals can learn in a lifetime.
Submariners are a tight knit group of men bound together by training and experience, and with a language all their own. That language is perhaps a little vulgar, but never intentionally demeaning, and a little irreverent but still worldly. This work is an attempt to preserve and explain some of these curious guys who so proudly wear a shiny metal pin that looks like a strange pair of fish on their left breast. This process of accumulating this new language begins in Boot Camp, and is added to with every change of duty station the sailor undergoes. It is heard aboard the boats and, unknowingly, by family members who can't understand terms like head, deck, and overhead, and who think SOS is a distress signal.
The men of the Royal Navy Submarine Service are a breed apart. Often classified as slightly mad they work beneath the waves enclosed in a steel tube, in probably the most dangerous environment in the world. They are a mystery to many, including friends and family. This hilarious and often ribald book lays bare the the often bizarre antics of the crews of Her Majesty's submarines both at sea and ashore. It proves the psychiatrists wrong, submariners are not slightly mad, they are totally insane. This wonderfully funny book gives the reader an insight into the life of those who serve their nation from beneath the waves as well as telling of the toll the lifestyle takes on family life and the loved ones of those who are away, often for months on end, with no contact with home. Chas Cooke served in submarines of the Royal Navy for thirteen years and tells of the odd and often outrageous behaviour of those with whom he shared his life beneath the sea.
COLLECTING ROLEX SUBMARINER: PRESENTATION OF SUBMARINER, SEA-DWELLER AND DEEPSEA Collecting Rolex Submariner is an updated and complete book about Rolex Submariner, Sea-Dweller and DeepSea. The strong importance of these models in the international market has given life to this important book, a true worldwide best-seller. During the years, these models have achieved an impressive collectable and economical value. Thanks to well documented and meticulous research, the authors have managed to create a real “Bible” of modern and vintage models. Are you a watch collector and want to know every minimum detail about these models? Have you recently approached the world of Rolex watches and are looking for assured answers to your doubts? Are you a watch dealer and want to know exactly what you are buying or selling? Do you want to know the real value of your watches? For all this and much much more, this book is perfect for you. TOPICS With over 800 highest quality photographs, this book describes in a highly detailed way: Submariner James Bond (ref. 6204, 6205, 6200, 6538, 6538 A, 6536, 6536/1, 5508, 5510) Submariner No Date (ref. 5512, 5513, 5514, 5517, 14060, 14060 M, 114060) Submariner Date (ref. 1680, 1680/8, 16800, 168000, 16803, 16808, 16610, 16610LV, 16613, 16618, 116610, 116610LV, 116613, 116618, 116619) Sea-Dweller (ref. 1665, 16660, 16600, 116660) All the possible variants are illustrated and described for all these references, as for example: 5 Marks of the “green bezel”, ref. 16610LV, Customized dials, 6 Marks of the ref.1680, Comex, 4 Marks of the ref. 1665 “double red”, 4 Marks of the ref. 1665, Faded, rare replacement dials, limited editions, bracelets and much more. The book also provides the updated estimates of all published watches. Many fine details are illustrated for each watch: the case number, the bracelet and its references, the winding crown, the case back, the dial, the caliber with its respective year of production and the various references.
Malta, 1942. Lieutenant Mike Nicholson commands Ursa, one of the 10th Submarine Flotilla?s boats who, in their time, destroyed more than a million tons of war supplies shipped from Italian ports to Rommel?s Afrika Korps in the Western Desert. German Intelligence has recently warned Berlin that unless drastic measures are undertaken, the Mediterranean and Middle East will be lost to them.But Ursa is a lucky submarine, and Mike is the flotilla?s top scorer. He also has problems of a more personal nature: before leaving England about two years ago he was heavily involved in an affair with the wife of another submariner, who?s now bringing his own new U-class boat, Unsung, to the flotilla . . .
This book is a collection of short tales, usually humours, sometimes serious, from my time served on a US submarine. They are nonfiction stories, including people on submarines who have influenced and inspired me throughout life. Some tales and adventures that should not be lost to time. Here are a few of them.
Finding a vintage Rolex is easy. Finding one that’s worth its price... that’s the challenge. Fakes are getting harder to spot, and a poor restoration could end up costing you more than its price in repairs. That’s a painful mistake you could avoid with the right information. Written by a seasoned collector, this guide will teach you the complex nuances of vintage Rolex watches, saving you from financial catastrophe and turning you into a savvy collector. 1,483 references are covered in extraordinary detail, from antique and vintage dress watches to contemporary professional watches. Bezel sizes, dial markings, case engraving, hands, movements and much more, all documented so you know exactly what you’re paying for. The guide will lead you from potential pitfall to glorious barn-find, with all the treacherous twists and turns along the way. There are plenty of pictures to inspire, inform and enlighten you as you learn to zero-in on your dream watch. The world of vintage Rolex watches is complex and nuanced, making it especially daunting for the first-time buyer. But armed with the facts, you will make informed choices that put you back in the driver’s seat.
