Submarines - U.S. Navy (up to 1945): books

U.S. Submarines Through 1945 - An Illustrated Design History

A highly illustrated (b & w) account of the development of US submarines that begins with small submarines such as David Bushnell's Revolutionary War Turtle and the Civil War Hunley, which weak navies hoped could help them face down their far more powerful enemies, and ends with the big fleet submarines.

Part of a seven volume series that offers detailed descriptions of the evolution of all classes of the principal U.S. combatant types. Each of the volumes is fully illustrated with deck plans, outboard profiles, sketches from major design studies, and numerous detailed photographs.

The appendixes contain a wealth of information on ship characteristics and equipment.

US Submarines 1900-1935 (Osprey)

This book introduces the reader to the early years of US submarine development and operation during the first third of the 20th century. It was in this period of growth and change that the submarine moved from a small vessel of limited range and tactical strength to a far ranging force. It also covers the little-told story of the United State's submarine force during World War I, and the lessons they learned that would be passed on to future generations of submariners.

Contents:
- The Development of Early Submarines
- The submarines get bigger: The D, E, and F classes
- Submarines go to war: The K, L, and O classes
- Postwar thinking and planning

Operation and Equipment Development
- Engines and Batteries
- Sensors and Communication
- Weapons

- Lessons Learned
- World War I ASW patrols
- The Loss of the USS S-5 and the S-4

Conclusion: The Next Steps
- Toward the Fleet Submarine of WWII and after.

US Submarines 1941-45 (Osprey)

Naval warfare in the Pacific changed completely with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The strategic emphasis shifted from battleships to much more lethal, far-ranging weapons systems; one of these was the submarine.

This book details the design and development, classes, weapons and equipment, tactics and operational history of the US submarine in World War II. Detailed tables, photographs, and superb color plates depict the force that had an effect far beyond its size - the submarine accounted for 55% of all Japanese shipping losses, despite suffering the highest percentage loss of any unit of the United State Armed Forces in World War II.

Contents: Introduction - Design and development of the numerous submarine transitions during World War II - Variants - US submarine losses, and victories - Bibliography - Color plate commentary - Index.

The Fleet Type Submarine - The definitive technical guide - profiling the submarines of World War II

Originally published by the U.S. Navy in 1946, "The Fleet Type Submarine" uses the USS Perch SS313 to explain operating principles, technologies, and systems. It contains numerous diagrams and photos and offers definitions of components and terminology. It provides technical descriptions of various machinery and systems such as ballast tanks, trim, ventilation and steering. It also contains a brief history of the submarine and a discussion of patrol routines.

By far this is the most complete technical guide to the boats that won WWII in the Pacific. Nothing close to it was ever assembled before, or since.
This affordable reprint comes in a soft bound edition with attractive covers. Although some of the book has been reformatted, and color images are reproduced in black and white, all of the original content is preserved. This is a must-have for anyone interested in submarines and an important reference for any historian, docent, or modeler!