"On The Bottom" by Commander Edward Ellsberg recounts the extraordinary 1925 salvage operation of the U.S. Navy submarine S-51, sunk with the loss of 33 lives. Leading the difficult nine-month effort at a depth of 132 feet, Ellsberg and his crew faced immense challenges, including treacherous conditions and limited technology, overcoming them through ingenuity and perseverance, including inventing the first effective underwater cutting torch. This compelling, technical yet dramatic account of the first successful open-ocean submarine salvage is considered a classic of maritime literature.
This copy is in good condition, with little wear and tear to the book itself. The inside cover pages have separated a bit from the rest, but all pages and photos are in excellent condition given its age. As stated in the title, fifteen pages were printed upside down. The dust jacket back flap has separated at the seam from the rest of it and needs to be reattached.
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