Abstract

Raising the S-51

This article discusses the book "On the Bottom," by Edward Ellsberg. This book is the story in simple and practical detail-in extremely technical detail for the most part, of the salvage operations by means of which the ill-fated S-51, sunk by the City of Rome off Block Island, was finally raised from a depth of 132 feet with her grim cargo of dead bodies and towed into dry dock at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The raising of a 1,000-ton submarine is a tremendously difficult task. Never had a craft of this size been rescued from such a depth before. The job extended over nearly six months of actual time at sea, including stormy weather when the work could not go on. It nearly took the heart out of the men who attempted it and great credit is due them for sticking to the fight. The story of this struggle makes a fascinating tale of adventure and achievement.