On the eve of World War II, the Squalus, America's newest submarine, plunged into the North Atlantic. Miraculously, thirty-three crew members st... read full description
reviews
Sep 28, 2008
Steve
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Ever hear of Charles “Swede” Momsen?
Chances are you haven’t, and that’s a crying shame, but Peter Mass’s superb book “The Terrible Hours” might change that. “Hours” is a painstakingly researched chronicle of the first successful submarine rescue in naval history, with Lt. Commander Swede Momsen as its architect and guide.
Momsen, the head of an experimental diving team, was summoned into action on May 23, 1939 after the Squalus, a new submarine on a training exercise, we More...
Chances are you haven’t, and that’s a crying shame, but Peter Mass’s superb book “The Terrible Hours” might change that. “Hours” is a painstakingly researched chronicle of the first successful submarine rescue in naval history, with Lt. Commander Swede Momsen as its architect and guide.
Momsen, the head of an experimental diving team, was summoned into action on May 23, 1939 after the Squalus, a new submarine on a training exercise, we More...
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May 12, 2010
Ice
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May 23, 1939. Television was being advertised for the first time to American consumers. Europe was on the brink of war as Hitler and Mussolini signed an alliance in Berlin. These were the days before sonar and before the discovery of nuclear power revolutionized submarine design. Dependent on battery power, submarines were actually surface ships that "occasionally dipped beneath the waves." If a sub went down, "every man on board was doomed. It was accepted that there would be no
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Oct 21, 2009
Coralie
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In 1939, off the coast of Portsmouth, NH, a submarine and its crew submerge to do some routine testing when a malfunction causes the sub to sink to the bottom of the ocean. This book is the story of the first successful rescue out of a submarine. It tells the story of the captain and crew members, and also of Swede Momsen, who invented a rescue capsule for submarines, a diving bell that could lock on to a submarine over the escape hatch and form a seal, allowing the people inside to enter the
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Jun 18, 2009
Brian
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Peter Maas is an old style reporter. He is from the school that demands creating stories from the facts at hand. This book is a history, but it does not read like one. This story moves along at a 30 knot clip and demands your attention to the details of this incredible and almost unbelievable rescue story.
Maas actually developed this story from an article about Charles "Swede" Momsen he previously published in the "Saturday Evening Post" in 1968. At that time, as he exp More...
Maas actually developed this story from an article about Charles "Swede" Momsen he previously published in the "Saturday Evening Post" in 1968. At that time, as he exp More...
Jun 07, 2011
David
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Maas tells the true story of a great WWII-era submariner, Swede Momsen, who was an underwater innovator, tenacious fighter of bureaucracy, and All-American hero. The story focuses on the rescue operation of The Squalus, a sub that sunk to a depth of 300 feet due to a mechanical failure and left 28 dead men and 33 survivors on the ocean floor. Momsen headed up the rescue and salvage operation using technologies that he pioneered. The author learned about Momsen, did extensive interviews with h
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Apr 01, 2011
Steven
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Steven McCarthy
English 9
Ms. Fenn
4/1/11
The book The Terrible Hours, written by Peter Maas describes the submarine Squalus. The Submarine the Squalus was the newest American submarine during WWII. The word Squalus means “Sailfish”. The submarine could hold roughly 200 men. In The Terrible Hours Maas explains some of the tests that the submarine has to go through to be used. Later in the book Maas explain about a rescue involving thirty-three men. This rescue is the only r More...
English 9
Ms. Fenn
4/1/11
The book The Terrible Hours, written by Peter Maas describes the submarine Squalus. The Submarine the Squalus was the newest American submarine during WWII. The word Squalus means “Sailfish”. The submarine could hold roughly 200 men. In The Terrible Hours Maas explains some of the tests that the submarine has to go through to be used. Later in the book Maas explain about a rescue involving thirty-three men. This rescue is the only r More...
Feb 26, 2011
Alisa
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The story of this book makes it worth reading - the rescue mission of a submarine that becomes lost during a drill run off the coast of Maine in the late 1930's on the eve of WWII. Rescue technology was severely lacking before submarines were launched in those days, and much of what was used and developed as a result of the incident involving the Squalus would change the course of submarine naval history. The central figure in this book, "Swede" Momsen, was brilliant, extraordinary,
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Apr 06, 2010
Tony
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On the eve of World War II, America's newest submarine plunged helplessly to the North Atlantic bottom during a test dive.Miraculously, thirty-three crew members still survived. While their wives and girlfriends waited in nearly unbearable tension on shore, their ultimate fate would depend on one man.
In this thrilling true narrative of terror, heroism and courage in the depths of a malevolent ocean, prizewinning author Peter Maas brings us in vivid detail a blow-by-blow account of th More...
In this thrilling true narrative of terror, heroism and courage in the depths of a malevolent ocean, prizewinning author Peter Maas brings us in vivid detail a blow-by-blow account of th More...
Aug 30, 2009
Manny
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The hero of this book, Charles "Swede" Momsen, is one of the most inspiring figures I have read about in ages. Momsen's distinguished career started in the late 20s. He was a US Navy submariner and diver; unlike nearly all his colleagues, he felt that, when accidents occurred on submarines, there should be some way to rescue the trapped sailors. The prevailing wisdom was that there was nothing to be done in these cases, and one just had to accept it as an inevitable risk. Momsen had be
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(5 people liked it)
Dec 11, 2009
Samweller
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One of my strange facinations is nautical salvage. I am awestruck by things men can do on and in the ocean. I loved the Mowat books. This is the story of one of the greatest submarine rescues in history. Maas tells the story but doesn't scrape the readers emotions like some authors do. He states the facts and lets them be what they are without trying to get you to feel for everyone. A great tribute to the man called Swede and his dedication and passion for naval affairs.
Jun 08, 2009
Simon
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The Terrible Hours
This is the tale of the heroic effort it took to save the lives of United States navy men aboard the sunken submarine Squalus. Following the successful mission, the author examines the 100+ days it took to salvage the vessel, the rebuilding of it and its subsequent missions.
Although rich in detail and at times too technical, the book failed to capture my attention to the extent `Shadow Divers' did. What I found lacking was the intimate details of what More...
This is the tale of the heroic effort it took to save the lives of United States navy men aboard the sunken submarine Squalus. Following the successful mission, the author examines the 100+ days it took to salvage the vessel, the rebuilding of it and its subsequent missions.
Although rich in detail and at times too technical, the book failed to capture my attention to the extent `Shadow Divers' did. What I found lacking was the intimate details of what More...
Mar 05, 2011
Gossymotto
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I put down the John Irving book I was reading and slipped this one in. I'm glad I did, what a story. Swede Momsen was an amazing man and Peter Maas has done an excellent job of capturing his story. Momsen died many years before Maas wrote this book but Maas had actually interviewed Momsen and had written a article on him (I think it was for the National Post), and then years later he decided to expand on that article but the timing was not good so he shelved his project until 1999.
Thi More...
Thi More...
Oct 29, 2011
Jenny
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Read this book in one day. Excellent story of the Squalas and the men (in particular one man) who worked to rescue her crew in the first ever deep sea submarine rescue. I like the fact that the author didn't put a lot of words into the mouths of the people whom he wrote about, especially those who did not make it. Very well done and I'm glad I learned a bit more out our naval history.
Oct 27, 2011
Matt
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Mmm the Momsen lung and the bell.
Not bad at all.
"Eleven years of preperation, combating skepticism and trying to anticipate all sort of posible disasters - and then to have it all telescoped into this one moment. Who could stay calm?"
None other than Swede Momsen.
I imagine he felt a deep satisfaction, similar to sir Edmund Hillary reaching the summit of Everest.
Jul 30, 2010
Marilyn
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This is non-fiction about a submarine disaster and the man who helped save many of the submariners. I had actually watched a movie on TV about the sub and the man; it intrigued me so I got the book and read it. Lots of technical stuff about deep sea diving, personal breathing lungs for underwater, but a quite good book.
Feb 10, 2008
Diane
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Real life can be a greater wonder than fiction and no fiction writer could have written a more gripping story. "The Terrible Hours" is the story of the US submarine Squalus that sank in 1939 off the coast of New England to a depth of 243 feet on her final training dive and of Swede Momsen, Navy officer, scientist and adventurer, who invented submarine rescue. The Squalus was the first test of his approach and because of it 33 of the crew were rescued.
Maas' writing creat More...
Maas' writing creat More...
Dec 31, 2011
Fredrick
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This is the story of the rescue of the crew and the salvage of the submarine USS Squalus and the man, Swede Momsen, responsible. Prior to this incident where Momsen was able to use techniques he developed, if a submarine sank the crew died. Very informative as it also tells the story of several crew members.
Jan 04, 2009
Jane
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The perfect storm under water. Enough technical info to give you a clear view of happenings but not overwhelming. I wanted to read it straight to the end but paused to enjoy and absorb. Charles "Swede" Momsen--a truly extraordinary man and officer of the navy.
Mar 08, 2011
Jb
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This is the harrowing and courageous story of rescuing survivors from the USS Squalus off the Maine coast in 1939. Lt. Commander “Swede” Momsen led the rescue. Recounted are his battles with Navy brass so hostile to new ideas that at one point let his plan for a deepwater rescue bell lay on a desk for a year and a half. But he was persistent, and 11 years later when it suddenly came time for use of such a bell, it was ready. Author states Momsen belongs to special pantheon of national heroes.
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Oct 11, 2011
Elizabeth
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Listened to this several years ago. The reader does a good job, and the story is riveting. If you enjoy a story about the brave people who risk it all, and persevere in the face of unbelievable odds, this is a good one for you.
May 12, 2009
Slow to start, but definitely gripping. I read this book more than 7 years ago, and it still sticks with me. I had just finished the book when the Kursk sank. I had a new appreciation for those submariners.
Feb 25, 2009
bookczuk
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Given to me by GoryDetails. Marvelous, marvelous book. I have no fingernails and I nibbled them off while the crew was being rescued. If this hasn't been made into a movie, it would make a terrific thriller!
Aug 10, 2010
Scott
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The sinking and recovery of the USS Squalus and the early use of the Momsen lung. A chilling true story made more real to me by my visist to the Squalus memorial at Portsmouth naval Shipyard.
Jun 21, 2011
Nancy
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Great read. Kind of creepy knowing that Ryan is on a sub but reading about all the safety improvements that Swede Momsen developed is comforting. Amazing story!! Highly recommend!!
Nov 23, 2010
Lori
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Admittedly, I did skim through the technical submarine-type jargon, but I really enjoyed reading about how thirty-some men were trapped for over a day in a disabled submarine! It got pretty intense for at while there! Very scary!
Jul 29, 2011
If you're interested in the event that spurred a significant advance in the technology and physiology of modern deep sea diving and submarine rescue- this one's for you.
May 13, 2009
Tom
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Powerful and intense. Real life adventure story about a sunken submarine, amazing tale. A real page turner, impossible to put down and walk away from.
Oct 15, 2011
John
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Good book - Momson is a true hero. In the Navy everyone pretty much has heard of the Momson lung, but I did not know his other exploits. Good read.
Sep 05, 2009
Kristine
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Great book but I really wish it had photographs and/or diagrams as I kinda know what an old sub looks like but I don't know the floor plan.
I found myself going to Google quite a bit.
I found myself going to Google quite a bit.
Aug 02, 2007
Kay
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More than a suspenseful tale of a rescue of a downed sub, this is a tribute to one man whose dedication to one cause -- perfecting methods to rescue submariners -- was put to the ultimate test. All the classic elements of a thriller are here, but there is also a very clear hero, if an unconventional one, in Swede Momsen, the pioneering man who invented the submarine rescue chamber. Author Maas does a good job of making the reader fully aware of the awful predicament of the sailors, contrasting
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