Where Divers Dare: The Hunt for the Last U-Boat

by Randall Peffer

In the tradition of Shadow Divers, this is the gripping true account of the search for German U-boat U-550, the last unfound, diveable wreck of a U-boat off the United States coast, and the battle in which it was sunk.   On April 16, 1944, the SS Pan Pennsylvania was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-550 off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. In return the sub was driven to the surface with depth charges, and then sent to the bottom of the ocean by three destroyer escorts that were guarding the naval convoy. For more than sixty years the location of the U-boat’s wreck eluded divers.   In 2012, a team found it—the last undiscovered U-boat in dive-able waters off the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, more than three hundred feet below the surface.   This is the story of their twenty-year quest to find this "Holy Grail" of deep-sea diving and their tenacious efforts to dive on this treacherous wreck—and of the stunning clash at sea that sealed its doom and brought the Battle of the Atlantic to America’s doorstep.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, World War II, Audiobook, Adventure

319 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 5, 2016

About the author

Randall Peffer is the author of over 300 travel-lifestyle features for magazines like National Geographic, Smithsonian, Reader's Digest, Travel Holiday, Islands and Sail; he teaches writing and literature at Philips Academy in Andover.

Reviews

[Lori Krause]

Completely riveting-

I'm relatively familiar with the Atlantic showdown between allied ships and U-boats. Being a military brat and obsessed with submarines, I had read books and watched historical shows' accounting of U-550 and other U-boats, so when I came across the book, I had to read it. It was everything I expected and more. The remarkable story paints a distinctly clear picture. Off the coast of New York, U-boats using the city lights as a guide picked off several allied ships before falling prey themselves. Buried deep beneath the sea, U-550 lay for years. It wasn't until the exciting expedition began that the weight of war became apparent. Not only was it the last U-boat to be found, but it was also a stark reminder of just how many grave sights lurk in the deep, dark waters of the Atlantic. The brave men who fought in 1944; lie in these waters. It was a courageous group of men who, even though vastly experienced, dedicated time, money, and their lives to finding the boat. What a climax that must have been, and although this is just a book you felt, you experienced it with them—worth a read.

[Leslie Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Some diver overlap from Shadow Divers... but different author. Differs from Shadow Divers in that the divers were searching for this specific U boat, U-550, that was known to have sunk off of Nantucket in 1944. There is a great discussion of the history involved and some ethical questions raised about how German survivors were treated. Very thoroughly researched. Divers of this wreck were able to visit with some of the Uboat survivors to get their version of the sinking story.

[Candice Landau · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like military puzzles and history stories, this will be right up your alley. A little dry at times, the story was still incredibly interesting. I only wish the author had spent more time on the section related to diving the wreck and uncovering the mystery of its sinking. I also would have liked to learn .ore about each of the divers. This one is a good read for divers and non-divers alike, especially for anyone interested in WW2 and subs!

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great tale, unfortunately ruined by an author who is trying too hard. Random snippets of German (often badly translated) and cliches abound.

[Jeff Simonsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enthralling and Fascinating

More than just a book on diving wreck diving (which was what I was expecting) the book delves deeply into the lives of the men who undertook the task and the lives of the men who fought in the battle, on both sides, and the interactions between the divers and the survivors; again on both sides. It also describes the peace for some that was gained as a result. Well researched and written in a clear and fluid manner it tells a fascinating story that would otherwise be lost in history.

[Walt · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't bad. It just wasn't that good either. Some of the historical detail at part one was a little questionable. The writing was mediocre, that is to say not bad but not great either. My biggest problem with this book is Peffers attempt to create drama where there really wasn't any. The dives were very deep and therefore inherently dangerous but for the most part went as planned. No one died or was helicoptered out. They knew which sub it was so that wasn't a big mystery like in Shadow Divers. Peffer tries to make the lose of most of the u-boat crew into a mystery to be solved but it was pretty obvious from the start exactly what happened during the battle. I enjoyed the story and wish there had been more diving but I think Peffer's attempt to make another Shadow Divers fell flat.

[John Morse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story about the men who overcame incredible odds to find the sunken U-550 off the East Coast (exact location south of Nantucket not revealed) in water over 300'. The chronology takes a number of years as the divers moved from compressed air to mixed gas, fought currents and bad weather and invested countless hours in researching deck logs, eye witness accounts and interviewing those living survivors of the U-Boat attack on the tanker Pan Pennsylvania in April 1944. They meet the living children of the main players both in the US and in Germany. Peffer skillfully captures the excitement, the disappointment, the danger and the mystery surrounding the last U-Boat
found in 2012. If you are a sports diver, wreck diver or interested in the history that lies on the bottom, this is a terrific read.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to dive and explore deep wrecks with secrets of the past? Want to learn what happened to the crew of U-550, a German U-Boat for WWII?

This book tells all. What begins as a mystery diving expedition gradually expands into a web of stories about people. Stories of their survival, loss and the pain of war. The divers didn't know quite what they were getting into but U-550 brought them more fulfillment than they expected, including bringing peace to many families imprinted with the indelible touch of WWII.

I still feel like I'm diving the otherworldly depths of the North Atlantic after reading this book.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a tapestry woven from several different and fascinating threads: deep sea diving and the divers who share that passion, U-Boat submarine warfare during WWII, an encounter between one particular U-Boat and three destroyers, the research about and search for that U-Boat, and the survivors and their families. It makes for a great read, and this audiobook edition makes for a great listen as well!

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and researched. This book gives a very thorough account of the events of April 16, 1944 that led to the sinking of the U-550. I enjoyed the back stories on all the divers and the human interest aspect as the divers met both American and German survivors. If you enjoyed Shadow Divers, you will like this book as well.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Amazing Story

If you liked Robert Kurson's Shadow Divers, you will enjoy this book. It's the story of how a group of divers eventually found the wreck of the U-550, a German U-boat which sank some 70 miles off the coast of Massachusetts during WWII.

[Mike Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shadowdivers still is the better book. This one spent too much time dramatizing the accounts of the ships doing down during WW2. That's fine, but I was more interested in the modern-day discovery of scuba divers. Not a bad book though.

[Adelbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Particularly enjoyed that the book covers the historical events surrounding the U-boat to contextualize the research and methodology of the divers who discovered it. Enthralling read in the spirit of Shadow Divers, and has added to be fascination with submarines.

[Michael Carrier · Rating 5 out of 5]

RPL Audio

A great real life adventure story. Would be of interest to all, not just WW2 or diving folks. Bit of a surprise ending. Really sort of hated for it to end. A real page turner. Since I listen in my car, I was looking for ways to keep driving. Wish they had included some pictures with the audio edition (do not know if any in the book edition). Also had just enough technical info for the reader to understand the challenges faced by the divers. One of the better non-fiction books I had done in a while.

[Robbie Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Love the narrative in the beginning about the battle, then the adventure to discovery the shipwreck.

[Dr NSCA-CPT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. Excellent narration.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good suspenseful read. Well researched and very fast moving.

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoyed reading Robert Kurson’s excellent book “Shadow Divers”, then you will thoroughly enjoy Randall Peffer’s “Where Divers Dare, The Hunt For The Last U-boat”.

This is not a story of thrill seekers or men looking to have accolades added to their names. It is a story of true historians and researchers in on a quest for answers to a question that has persisted for over 70 years.

Twenty years ago, dives to these great depths were unimaginable and suicidal. Yet, these divers ignored that and did what they needed to do to solve the mystery of what happened to the U-550's crew, and the crew of its victim, the SS Pan Pennsylvania which sank not far from the U-boat that torpedoed it.

It is a fact that more people have climbed to the summit of Mt. Everest than those who have successfully dove and returned from the depth where these divers have gone. These are not "young guns" all pumped up on adrenaline to try to get to the greatest depth. These men are seasoned professionals who have seen and faced death personally over the years, and are on a search for answers to solve a 70-year-old mystery and in turn, help bring closure to the families that were so tragically affected by this battle in the Atlantic.

The author emotionally connects the reader with the divers, both during their research and as they undertake their perilous deep dives. The story provides detailed glimpses into the background of these men, their feelings, fears, frustrations and the ultimate elation of success. And of course the undeniable satisfaction being able to reveal the truth of a Battle of the Atlantic that was incorrectly documented during the fog of war when the Hunter became the Hunted.

Few historical researchers have been able to dig/dive down as deep(both figuratively and literally) as this team of divers has done, and have it so expertly and hauntingly told by Randall Peffer.

[Phil Steffes]

Excellent book and a terrific read. Randall Peffer sets the stage for the diving portion of the book by telling an exciting story about the perils of sailing in the Atlantic in 1944. Both sides of the story (American and German) are discussed in detail. First person accounts of the fear, anxiety and tension associated with both U-Boat and U.S. warship interactions are carefully presented. The book gives a clear account of what happened to the U-Boat, the ship it sunk, and the ships that sunk the U-Boat, and explains why it has been so difficult for divers to locate the U-Boat. Once the U-Boat was located another equally exciting story unfolds. Mr. Peffer gives a great account of the risks inherent in scuba diving deep down (more than 300 feet) in the Atlantic. I have read many books about WWII, and many stories about life-threatening adventures that few individuals would undertake. Where Divers Dare ranks with the best I've read.

[Jerrod Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story. The marketing materials, however, compare it to Shadow Divers, and on that front, it wasn't quite as good. The first third or so of the book was just about the sub, the battle and background material. The discovery and diving material didn't come until much later in the book than I would have liked. I think Shadow Divers did a better job of interleaving both historical and more modern narratives to keep the reader's interest regardless if their main interest was World War II submarines or if it was deep diving. The human interest side of the divers' struggles was also much more engaging in the other book.

[Ted Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received ARC as a employee of Barnes and Noble. I found Peffer's historical narrative intriguing with insight into WW II history, submarine warfare. The book explored the lives of the American and German sailors involved and the quest of the divers who discovered the illusive U-550. I have a personal interest as I was born August 24, 1944, near the encounter off Nantucket in Newport. RI a few months after the battle. April 16, 1944. Well written and insightful historical narrative.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have read Shadow Divers you may be familiar with some of the divers in this book. However, the difference here could be the author? This author just seems to bring an extra touch to an already epic single snapshot of WWII history. With so many questions unanswered about the events of the last moments of this U-Boat what can these divers uncover? Stay tuned for a truly epic story that really knocked my socks off!

[David V. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received as an ARC via my employer Barnes & Noble. Very well written. Gives you info about the battle that caused the sinking of the U-Boat, as well as biographical info about the individual combatants, and the divers searching for the wreck---a very dangerous hobby, but it's easy to understand the obsession with finding it.

[ZSR Library]

A story in two parts: The destruction of the German U-Boat that sunk the United States' SS Pan Pennsylvania and the discovery of said U-Boat in 2012, 300 feet below the surface. I found the 2nd part of the book interesting because it focuses on the battle in 1944 that sunk the U-Boat. That said, learning about the perils of deep sea diving was also fascinating.

-John McDade (WFU Parent)

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Fascinating story of the U Boat sinking, subsequent discovery after 60 years, the divers experiences and the feelings of the last known living survivors on both sides. well put together. Easy read and very interesting.

[Virginia R. Hoffmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

History I never knew

This book is very technical. However, it wouldn't be worth reading if it weren't. I didn't understand a lot, but really found the book very interesting. It was written to draw you in. God bless all the men who stuck with it to confirm or refute history.

[Cia Mcalarney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Details the quest for the last U boat that sunk off the coast of Nantucket in 1944. Also manages to be a gracious statement of the brotherhood of mariners.

[Sarah Muckerheide · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books. I loved how it had the battle, the divers' experiences, and the process of finding the submarine. The book captivated me on many levels.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoyed Shadow Divers and/or The Last Dive, you're bound to like this one!

[Chris Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoyed Shadow Divers or Into Thin Air, you will enjoy this book. Similar to Shadow Divers, this book details the search for lost U-boat 550 sunk in the Atlantic in 1944. It is both a fascinating adventure story of the divers who discovered the wreck and an examination of the human experience from both sides of the battle that led to the sinking of U-550.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves diving, history, or all things nautical.