Twenty Fathoms Down

by L. Ron Hubbard

As daring and defiant as Kirk Douglas journeying "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, "there's no stopping diver Hawk Ridley as he takes the plunge into a briny world of untold riches and danger.The Caribbean is a fortune hunter's dream, salted with the gold of galleons long ago claimed by the deep. Now Hawk's headed for the Windward Passage of Haiti to stake his claim. But a rival team has also picked up the scent, and they're willing to turn the sea red with blood to get to the gold first.Fighting off ruthless competitors is nothing new to Hawk...but fighting off a beautiful woman is a different story. Is she an innocent stowaway or a seductive saboteur? Between the cool millions lying on the bottom of the ocean, and the boiling-hot race to grab it, Hawk's about to find the answer and make a discovery "Twenty Fathoms Down" that will blow you out of the water."

"When it came to research, Hubbard was not one to head for the library. He always went to the source--in this case a U.S. navy deep-sea diver who agreed to show him the ropes and the danger. Hubbard admits it was daunting--even frightening--but he returned from the experience with all the first-hand knowledge he needed to fathom the true nature of life and death underwater.

"Primo pulp fiction." —Booklist

Genres: Fiction

136 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 1934

About the author

L. Ron Hubbard is universally acclaimed as the single most influential author and humanitarian of this modern age. His definitive works on the mind and spirit—comprising over 350 million copies in circulation and more than 40 international bestsellers—have resulted in a legacy benefiting millions and a movement spanning all cultures.

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun pulp adventure, Twenty Fathoms Down was originally published in September, 1934. I thought it was interesting to read about the technology of diving as it was practiced then, much as his air-adventure stories illustrate early flying technology. The story itself is fast-paced and nicely written, though the characterization seems more cardboard and less well developed than many of his other tales from the same period. As always, the book is nicely produced in uniform style with the rest of the series and includes a glossary and the original illustrations.

[Paul Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another wonderful tale of adventure from L. Ron Hubbard. I love how he nails a lot of the small details. I'm very glad that all his stories include extensive glossaries in the back defining idiosyncratic terms, like "take a bead", "bears", binnacle, jackstaff, and scuppers.

I'd rate it four stars, but it lacks heroic sacrifice or character growth. But who cares??

[Gil · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Twenty Fathoms Down”
by L. Ron Hubbard
Multi-cast performance
produced by Galaxy Audio
Approx 2 hours

I recently came to the realization that eventually I will have read all of the “Stories from the Golden Age” written by L. Ron Hubbard since there are a finite number of these old stories written for the old pulp-fiction magazines. What will I do then? Luckily I have a year or so to go before they are all released, but still there will come a time. I’m guessing I will go back and reread or rather re-listen to my favorite genre (the one that got me addicted to these audiobooks from Galaxy Audio in the first place), science-fiction.

It was the science-fiction genre that attracted me to these releases, but it was the excellent production and professionalism that made me want to hear every single audiobook. Galaxy Audio turns these short stories into full blown audio dramas complete with incidental music, realistic sound-effects and some of the best voice actors available. With the great voice actors, most of the books are narrated by R.F. Daley. Daley’s voice work in the narration is the perfect match for creating what could also be ol’ timey radio shows. His voice guides the listener through the story fully expressing the emotions, ambiance and action which runs through all of these stories.

Hopefully they will begin releasing all of Hubbard’s books as well, keeping this same formula. Like I said, though, there are still more releases, at least for a year or so, so I will keep listening to these awesome adventures.

This time around was a bit of a sea-adventure with “Twenty Fathoms Down.” This story was originally published in the September, 1934 issue of “Five Novels” and takes the listener on an undersea treasure hunting adventure full of gold, emeralds and murder.

Deep-sea diver, Hawk Ridley, has the information on a sunken Spanish galleon with a cache of gold bullion. The problem is that a rival wants that treasure and will do anything to keep it out of Hawk’s hands, including murder. Hawk locates the wreck and discovers not only a fortune in gold but a cache of sparkling emeralds, as well.

To make for a great mystery, Hawk and his crew discover a stowaway onboard his ship. That stowaway, a beautiful woman wearing a wedding dress, happens to be the daughter of the rival that wants to steal the gold out from under Hawk. When one of Hawk’s divers is pulled out of the water dead in his suit, the woman becomes suspect of sabotage. Then when Hawk is left for dead on a dive and his ship is torpedoed, the battle for the gold begins.

The excellent acting and superb sound-effects will have you holding your breath while the divers struggle for life under the sea.

[Scott Haraburda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodreads First Reads Giveaway Book.

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An exciting book. This audiobook, Twenty Fathoms Down, was about deep-sea diving for gold aboard a sunken and lost Spanish galleon. As a short story, it was complete with deadly fights, a mysterious death, and a potential love interest. In essence, a jam-packed fast-moving adventure story.

The author, L. Ron Hubbard, is best known for his research on the subject of Dianetics and later Scientology . What most people may not realize is that he was a prolific fiction writer from 1932 to 1950. And, this story was from that era. With over 300 works, Hubbard wrote in different story genre, including Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, and Western. He was also known to have used various pseudonyms, including Legionnaire 148, Lieutenant Scott Morgan, John Seabrook, Tom Esterbrook, and Mister Spectator.

With a multicast presentation, this audiobook was very entertaining. The narrators allowed me to get lost in this book with no noticeable problems that pulled me out of the story. In addition to the different voices, both male and female, this book was peppered with music and sound effects, including gun fire. All, making this an enjoyable experience.

Even though this adventure story was first published almost 80 years ago in September 1934, I enjoyed listening to it today while believing that it could have just as easily been written within the last few years. A great listen for anyone wanting to enjoy a good story on a long road-trip. Overall, if you like adventure stories, Twenty Fathoms Down is probably worth checking out. It’s quick and definitely entertaining.

[Shawn Fairweather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a free read...err listen thanks to Goodreads First Reads!. Ive been putting it off long enough but being that I won this, my first audiobook, I broke down and gave it a try. It took a little getting used to and I still wouldnt put it on par with reading, but I did find it enjoyable to listen to while traveling on a recent business trip. Overall it was about a 2 hour story, so I am assuming it would be equal to short story if having been read. The production was pretty solid and the vocals for the most part were good, however I did find a couple voice actors vocals not really matching their characters well. The packaging was also well laid out and it was perfectly fitting for the time period when this book was written.

I truly enjoyed the retro feel to this book. It was fun to be able to journey back to an era that my grandparents or parents would have experienced especially before being inundated with modern technology and a plethora of watered down books. I actually envisioned Little Ralphy and Randy from A Christmas Story gazing at an old upright living room radio listening to Hubbards story of divers attempting to retrieve sunken treasure that has been mysteriously claiming other divers lives. I do recommend this for fans of the era or want to look back and experience it, but I feel that many younger readers may not be as interested as the story is for straight forward and innocent than most written today.

[Tom Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Thrilling Adventure From The Master Story Teller.”

Hawk Ridley is after sunken treasure, and he has the coordinates to the ship lying on the ocean floor near Haiti. But the Mercer brothers are also after the gold bullion, and a chest of jewels, and will not stop at murder to obtain them. They work Ocean Salvage, owned by Charles Stanton, and Hawk must not let them near enough to upset his own dreams. But then everything changes when Stanton’s beautiful daughter, Frederick “Vick” Stanton is found on his boat, wearing a wedding dress. What could possibly be going on?

There is murder at twenty fathoms, and Hawk’s ship, the Stingaree is sunk while he is below recovering the treasure. Watching in awe as his ship goes down, taking with it the last of his air supply, Hawk knows he may never live to enjoy the treasure.

This was another fascinating sea adventure by a master story teller, filled with plenty of action and suspense, and great characters. Highly recommended for adventure lovers, and readers that love a well-crafted yarn.

[Randee Baty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this from Goodreads giveaways. Thanks to Goodreads and the author for letting me listen to this for free!

This is a very reminiscent of Old Time Radio broadcasts which I happen to love! The story is a interesting but pretty tame. Since this came from the Golden Age of Sci-fi, the blood and gore are almost non-existant which is fine with me.

It's just an interesting story about salvaging treasure from the bottom of the sea done by good voice actors. If you're a fan of the modern sci-fi genre, this will be far too tame for you. If you're a fan of Old Time Radio type sci-fi, this should be right up your alley!

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book on the goodreads giveaway.

I had always been curious about L. Ron Hubbard and was pleased about the chance to, well, give him a chance. I wish I could report back that it was the beginning of something lovely, but to be honest I just don't think I was the intended audience. There wasn't anything particularly off putting, or unfortunately, exciting or unpredictable to remark upon but the voice actors and sound effects personal certainly gave it their all nonetheless.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is pulp fiction – oh, I don’t mean that super violent flick of a bunch of years ago – this is the real stuff that dominated magazines and newsstands for decades – and sure, there might be a lot wrong with it – you could make your list – but suspend your disbelief and hitch your eyes to adventure and romance – why not?

[Venus Smurf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this through a giveaway, not realizing it was an audio book. I prefer to actually read my books, but while this story was a little dated, it wasn't bad. I listened to my copy, then gave it to my grandfather, and he absolutely loved it.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sounding so much like an old radio broadcast. I thought it was pretty cool.

If you have time to watch a movie, you have time to listen to this.

*received from goodreads first reads*

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, that was fun. Don't really like audio books but whattaya do!!