Fire at Sea: The Tragedy of the Soviet Submarine Komsomolets

by Dmitry Romanov, K.J. Moore (Editor), Jonathan E. Acus (Translator)

This book is the first complete English-language edition of D. A. Romanov’s vigorous defense of the people and institutions that built the ill-fated Soviet nuclear attack submarine "Komsomolets," which caught fire and sank in the Norwegian Sea on April 7, 1989, while on its first patrol. Afterward, the Soviet Navy claimed that numerous technical imperfections had caused the accident. In addition, official investigators portrayed the crew as self-sacrificing and well trained, upheld the commanding officer’s actions, and found no fault in behavior among the dead or surviving crew members. Buoyed by Mikhail Gorbachev’s "glasnost," dissident voices challenged the official view. The resulting controversy ruined careers, damaged personal and professional relationships, and divided the Navy itself. Romanov refutes the Soviet Navy’s claim that from the very beginning it had done everything to ensure that "Komsomolets" was well prepared for independent patrolling, that it had trained the crew well, and that the submarine’s personnel had performed capably during the accident. Observers familiar with the issues and the acrimony that surround the loss of the Russian submarine "Kursk" in August 2000 will find startling antecedents in the "Komsomolets" incident. Readers interested in submarine operations and technology, Cold War navies, Russia, and the dark side of personal and bureaucratic behavior will be thoroughly satisfied by this comprehensive study of what really happened and the ensuing cover-up.

267 pages, Hardcover

First published January 16, 2006

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book about a tragedy at sea. Inherently biased, as it’s by a member of the submarine’s design team and was written explicitly to refute the findings of an investigation that the designers were at fault. Still, the information in this book is a good illustration of how lack of training and proper procedure can turn an accident into a tragedy. Probably of interest only to those with an avid interest in the Soviet and Russian submarine force.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is extremely detailed in its technical dissection of the tragedy of the Komsonolets, which makes it both a difficult and brilliant read. Proceed with caution.

The author bring light to the truth. He highlights the weaknesses of Russia's approach to such tragedies, and provides necessary insight into the importance for quality training within the military that is executed by personnel who have developed themselves into subject matter experts. The lessons herein are just as important for the United States military in this day and age, but the book requires great effort and focus.

[Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a technical book so at times it was difficult to read. Nonetheless, the author is detailed and discusses the lack of training the crew had and maintenance issues the submarine experienced which lead to the disaster.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who has spent time at sea in warships, this is a compelling book.