The Death of the USS Thresher: The Story Behind History's Deadliest Submarine Disaster

By Norman Polmar

Book Overview

A must-read for submarine buffs

On the morning of April 10, 1963, the world's most advanced submarine was on a test dive off the New England coast when she sent a message to a support ship a thousand feet above her on the surface: experiencing minor problem . . . have positive angle . . . attempting to blow . . . . Then came the sounds of air under pressure and a garbled message: . . . test depth . . .

Last came the eerie sounds that experienced navy men knew from World War II: the sounds of a submarine breaking up and compartments collapsing.

When she first went to sea in April of 1961, the U.S. nuclear submarine Thresher was the most advanced submarine at sea, built specifically to hunt and kill Soviet submarines. In The Death of the USS Thresher, renowned naval and intelligence consultant Norman Polmar recounts the dramatic circumstances surrounding her implosion, which killed all 129 men on board, in history's first loss of a nuclear submarine.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1493027530
• ISBN13: 9781493027538
• Release Date: December 2017
• Publisher: Lyons Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.79 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Death of USS Thresher

This is a very well done book and provides very good insights into the loss of this great boat and crew. Submarining has always been and always been dangerous business even if not at war. I learned a lot from this book even though I am an avid Nuclear Submarine Fan, especially the attack boats. Having had the privilege to ride Greenling for a week in 1975, I have a unique appreciation for Thresher since Greenling was a Thresher Class boat that actually got delayed after the accident. Well done. Dennis Mosebey

The USS Thresher

This was an excellent book. The delivery was as promised. What made the book more interesting was the Skipper of the Brill was on active duty on the USS Thresher before he skippered the Brill. My husband Roy served on the Brill during the war.

Fine detective work

The author carefully scoured the record, limited as it is, and presented a strong case for why the Thresher went down. It's not Grisham or Baldacci, but for those interested in naval history, it's worth the time.

Death of USS Thresher

I would recommend this book for anyone interested in submarines. My husband is a retired submariner and loved the book.

Good, Interesting Book

While in the US Navy, I served aboard aircraft carriers so I have no specific knowledge of submarines. What I do know comes from numerous conversations with my father in law who served aboard submarines in the 50's, 60's and 70's. It's interesting to see the antithetical reviews of the two submariners. I read the book to find out what exactly is known (and not known) about the Thresher tragedy. I believe Polmar presents the facts and suppositions regarding the Thresher accident extremely well. Depending on which submariner is to be believed, I've either been tragically misinformed or I've learned something. I highly recommend this book to those interested in learning what there is to know about the Thresher loss.