Shadow Divers

In 1991, recreational divers John Chatterton and Richie Kohler discovered an unidentified shipwreck sixty miles off the coast of New Jersey. Resting 230 feet below the surface, the vessel was a World War II German U-boat that appeared in no official historical records. The two men spent six years conducting dangerous deep-sea dives to recover physical evidence, such as tagged cutlery and engine parts, to identify the hull and its crew. They contended with nitrogen narcosis, equipment failure, and shifting silt while researching naval archives in Washington and Germany to solve the mystery of why the sub was there.

This book serves readers interested in maritime history, technical diving, and investigative research. It appeals to those who enjoy technical details regarding gas mixtures, decompression schedules, and the mechanical operations of mid-century submarines. Readers gain an understanding of the physiological risks inherent in wreck diving and the specific archival processes required to correct the historical record. The text provides a factual account of how private citizens verify lost military data through physical salvage and persistence.

Outward-looking and clear-cut; an easy read.

Best for readers like The Practical Optimizer. Which reader are you?