Rig Ship for Ultra Quiet

by Andrew Karam

You've seen The Hunt for Red October and wondered if it was real. Now you'll know. Rig Ship for Ultra Quiet - a book about submarines, written by a submariner. Spend two months in a nuclear fast attack submarine off the coast of the Soviet Union at the end of the Cold War with Andrew Karam, a decorated veteran of the US submarine force.

Genres: Military Fiction, Memoir, Nonfiction, Naval History, Leadership, History, Autobiography

Paperback

First published May 1, 2002

Reviews

[Bryan Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like submarines, it's the closest thing we have to starships and I've always been fascinated by both. This book is a semi-fictionalized account of a senior petty officer on his last deployment off the coast of Russia during the cold war. The author makes a point of telling that every story related in the book are things that actually happened to him in his eight years in the Navy but not necessarily on this cruise.

This was the first sub book I've read that is not from the POV of a commissioned officer and it's tone is definitely more negative than any of the previous books I've read. However, this doesn't detract from the stories. His major complaints are junior officers that think they know more than they really do, bad food and especially the lack of sleep. He makes a very compelling argument that non-com crew on submarines (and presumably the rest of the Navy as well) are over worked and the thing they can sacrifice is sleep. Furthermore that sleep deprivation is how people make silly mistakes and when they are mistakes that could kill 150 or more people maybe that should be changed.

The author tells the stories from a matter of fact point of view and while not gripping it was nevertheless interesting. He also included at the end some writings from his mother after a dependents cruise. That is when a sailors family can be on the submarine for a few days to get an idea of what their family members experience. That personalization makes the experiences he relates more poignant.

[Jeff Wombold · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the book was good, but I don't concur with all that is said. I spent 10 years in the submarine service from 1971 to 1981 on the USS Queenfish SSN 651. First of all he hates the food and I thought as most people that submarines had great food; granted it wasn't Morton's steak house, but it was good. There is no bad food in the Navy, only bad cooks. He didn't care for the toilet paper, but as all septic systems, I'm sure there were reasons that Charmin was not on board. He talks of Nukes and Coners; that is the first I've ever heard the term coner; must have been a Plunger thing, While on board, we were one ship, one crew. Still all in all it is a good read.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but very technical at times. Learned a few things and that was why I read it.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Great read on life aboard a US Attack Submarine during the Cold War. It gives a good insight and is informative about an average sailor's life. He does get bogged down in details at times but it is worth it as he gets into the nitty gritty of a Cruise aboard a special operation IE.. monitoring Soviet base for sub departures and gathering intelligence.

I really do recommend this one for anyone interested in Submarines.

[Eric_W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guaranteed to fascinate and hold your interest, this book recounts the boredom, terror, daily grind, and claustrophia of working on a nuclear submarine (USS Plunger) during the Cold War from the perspective of an enlisted man. The author, clearly very intelligent, went on to get his doctorate in radiation safety following his naval service. It's a fascinating account. Highly recommended.

[Dave Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brings back memories.

Reading this book as a former nuke MM on submarines brought back many memories. Karma does a great job describing the reality of submarine life, both good and bad.

[Kursad Albayraktaroglu · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Rig Ship for Ultra Quiet" is a highly informative and entertaining book describing the author's experience as a nuclear propulsion specialist on board a US Navy SSN (fast attack submarine) during the late 1980s.

The book is definitely not for faint of heart; since it includes lengthy technical descriptions of some of the boat's subsystems and US Navy operational procedures. While some of these sections might bore the casual reader, submarine warfare enthusiasts should find it highly interesting. Even if you're not interested in these details, the book is probably worth reading only for the hilarious "how to simulate a submarine environment at home" section near the end.

Parts of the book describe an intelligence-gathering operation near the coasts of former Soviet Union, and are probably one of the most open and readable depictions of what takes place during these ops in the open literature.

Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in modern submarine operations.

[Jim D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another outstanding first hand book on the US submarine force. What's so interesting about this book is that it's told from the perspective of an enlisted sailor , not the commander or one of the department heads. It shows what life was like for the bulk of the crew operating in oftentimes extremely dangerous situations. I was absolutely fixated on the descriptions of operations near the Soviet Union, what happens when the ship goes ultra quiet, a medical emergency while on patrol, and the constant evaluations, inspections and exercises in the nuclear world. I do not think I could do this and have the utmost respect for those that do. I get the impression that the ops temp for the subs has not lessened and that the strain on the crews and their families has only increased. I wish we had more boats and more trained people. Until then we have to rely on these incredibly dedicated people to guard the frontiers of the country from beneath the seas. Well done.

[Kent A. Bahr · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting and realistic

Life aboard an Attack nuclear submarine is no pleasure cruise. But Karam provides detail to show how the crew endures the difficulties as well the challenges to meet the needs of the navy, the boat, and the mission. I attempted to join the navy with the goal of serving on a nuclear submarine but failed the entrance physical due to my eyesight. But did serve in the army 68-70.

Nevertheless my desire has never diminished and it’s books like Mr Karam’s that allow me to put myself in the submarine environment. Would love to at least go on a dependent cruise if could figure out how and who…. Anyway, great book for submarine buffs such as me who would have if they could have!! Finally I too recommend the books listed in his suggested readings.. I’ve read most of them as well to include all of Edward Beaches books!!! Thanks Andrew!!!

[Milton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book if you are interested in military life. It goes into details on what life is like on a US Navy nuclear submarine. My father was a nuke on several submarines and this book helped me understand his sea stories a little bit better.

With that said the story is a "story" of one two month patrol off the Pacific coast of Soviet Russia. It's not a particularly riveting story in and of itself. The author also has a tendency to go onto diversions that are perhaps a bit lengthier than they need to be on a variety of minutia. Thus I would say this is a great book if you are looking to understand what life is like in the military, particularly on a submarine. However, if that doesn't interest you the story itself is probably not going to interest you.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pacific Fleet Deployment

Well-written view of a deployment onboard a Permit (originally THRESHER) class fast-attack submarine, from an atypical perspective (Senior enlisted {MM1/SS [ELT]}, instead of the more common officer perspective). Mr. Karam's views of a western Pacific deployment brought back many memories, although my own experiences were in the north Atlantic on a SSBN that was roughly contemporary to the Plunger, and a more modern (688 class) fast-attack also in the north Atlantic. Recommended for someone interested in an unvarnished description of what enlisted life on a US Navy submarine was like in the late 20th century.

[Mark Keays · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overview of life in the boats

Introduced to boats while serving on a tender in San Diego. Had a chance to ride a diesel boat for a few days out of San Diego. Served on two nukes in the mid 70’s. Qualified as COW on second boat. Excellent overview of life on the boats and what crews did during and after the so called Cold War.
Authors description of the relationship between forward pukes and nukes pretty accurate. One thing for sure if you didn’t get along and fit in you didn’t last in the boats, never qualified and went to join the haze gray and underway targets in the surface Navy.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A factual account of work/life on a nuclear submarine in the late Cold War era. This book had been on my list for years, but I was motivated to get it through inter-library loan after visiting the WW2 submarine Cobia in Wisconsin recently.

Karam does a good job explaining the daily ins and outs. I did skip a few of the more technical chapters about the drills and mechanics.

He was enlisted, and there is some detectable hostility for officers which I think was overly emphasized. But, overall, a balanced view of submarine missions.

Please note this book is out of print.

[Paul Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thorough description of life aboard a fast attack submarine

Very thorough description of the routine aboard a US Navy submarine through the eyes of a petty officer. Although there were some very interesting aspects of this book,I think someone has to be very interested in submarines to enjoy this book. I'm a retired naval officer and I quit about half way through the book. Just too much detail to make it worthwhile.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like books, especially non-fiction, that depict life in an alien, unfamiliar environment, and this book has that going for it. I found a lot of it very interesting. My problem with it is that it reads like a first draft. Much of the writing is clunky, full of awkward usages and jarring repetition. If that sort of thing doesn't bother you, and you want to know what it's like to live on a submarine during the cold war, you'll probably enjoy this book.

[LeRoy C. Feusner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because I have not served in a nuclear submarine, I thought the book was educational about life aboard a nuclear submarine during the Cold War period even though the author tainted some of his personal experiences beyond what I had learned earlier about the food and some of the daily human activities. I recommend this book to learn much more about enlisted life on a nuclear submarine.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look into life on board a US attack submarine during the Cold War from the view of an enlisted man. It’s mostly about the quotidian grind of a regular guy and his thoughts about life on a sub and daily routines and typical missions and patrols they’d go on. Definitely not high drama with torpedo battles, but I liked it. It was a different look at a world not many people ever see.

[Stan Getsla · Rating 5 out of 5]

An EXCELLENT peak into life on a nuke boat!

My brother served on the Permit (sister ship to the Plunger), doing exactly the same job (ELT) with the same rating... and he never talked about it. I now have a much better understanding of life aboard the Plunger. Thanks for a VERY intetesting read!

[Laurie Or · Rating 5 out of 5]

70's Boomer nuke.

I spent about 5 years on boomers in the north Atlantic and Baltic. As an RO this brings so much back. We had a very different mission, but the experiences were similar except better food and a lot more space. The 2 crew 3 month rotation got old but better than the attack boats. I too went to school when I got out and got a PhD in engineering.

[Andy Gartman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life as a Navy Nuke

As a former ELT, I was quite familiar with the content of this book. It gives an accurate account of what life is like onboard a nuclear powered submarine. Reading it brought back many memories. If you've ever wondered about what it's like to go to sea on a submarine, this book will help you get a feel for it.

[Missjacqui · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want ro know navy acronyms, read this book.

I had no desire to learn navy acronyms but i somehow managed to stick it through. Only because I didn't have internet access to download another book.

[Kelly Burgin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life on a nuclear sub.

Well written, comprehensive account of the Plunger's last mission in Soviet surveillance before decommissioned. Addendum provide helpful context for the reader.

[Apoorv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read

A light and interesting read of life on a nuclear powered submarine in the 80s. Loved the little section on “dependents day”, where the author’s mother gets to ride on the submarine and describes her experience.

[Vikinggeek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool look at life aboard a submarine

I enjoyed this look at submarine life written from an enlisted man’s point of view. The author takes us with him on the final deployment of the USS Plunger off the shore of Russia. An informative story that is fun to read.

[Dexter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paints a very different picture of life as a submariner than is commonly portrayed in submarine movies. Attack submarines are clearly less comfortable than the ballistic missile subs. An interesting read from a regular crew member (non-0fficer).

[Kathy Fritschi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast, silent and sometimes hot

Well written description of life aboard a nuclear attack submarine boat in the 1980s. The author’s use of humor is low key and his picture of life mostly under water is revealing in its candor.

[Alejandro Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was invited along on a special ops mission

I found the book entertaining, as I “rode along” on Plunger on a special ops mission. I liked reading with a cup of coffee in hand as I went on duty or came off duty for some rack time…. All in my imagination of course.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fellow submariner it was a Familiar read

[Chester Lau · Rating 1 out of 5]

For some reason, in between the lines of the writing, I had a feeling that I had read a long rumination of an idiot for his failure tour in the Navy.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very submerging.