The Encyclopedia of American Submarines (Facts on File Library of American History) - Hardcover

Since the unsuccessful voyage of the Turtle in the Revolutionary War, submarines have played an integral part in America's defense and peace-keeping efforts. The Encyclopedia of American Submarines is an extensive, one-stop reference to the history and development of the undersea craft, both military and civilian, in the United States, its territories, and all of the waters where they have ranged for more than two centuries. Thoroughly researched and written for general readers and enthusiasts alike, more than 300 entries are extensively illustrated with photographs, drawings, and ships' insignia, and enhanced with a chronology of 100 years of submarines in the U.S. Navy, a glossary of key terms, and a bibliography for further reading. The Encyclopedia of American Submarines forms the perfect beginning for anyone seeking information on the subject. Coverage Includes: Submarine and undersea inventions; Submarine disasters; The military history of naval submarines; Biographies of key figures; Submarine components, such as ballast tanks, torpedo tubes, periscopes, radar, and reactors; Submarine missiles and defenses.