This beautifully illustrated title traces the dangerous evolution of the submarine in warfare from its inception to the present day and immediate future. Technical specifications, development and construction history and involvement in combat are included on more than 125 classes of boat, with special features on submarine accidents and on some of the more unusual classes such as gun commerce raiders and aircraft-carrying submarines.

Includes index.

Early designs -- The Holland boats -- Pre-World War I designs -- World War I designs -- Inter war submarine design -- World War II design & construction -- Legacy of U-boat innovation -- Nuclear Age 1: The hunter killers -- Nuclear Age 2: The boomers -- Midget Submarines : the new underwater menace -- Appendix 1: Order of Battle of the World's Submarines -- Appendix 2: Submarine Accidents 1905-2000 -- Index.