Submerged : Adventures of America's Most Elite Underwater Archaeology Team

Experience a kaleidoscope of real-life underwater missions, ranging from ancient ruins covered by reservoirs in the desert Southwest to a World War II submarine off the Alaskan coast; from the Isle Royale shipwrecks in the frigid Lake Superior to the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor; from the HL Hunley , the first submarine in history to sink an enemy ship, in Charleston Harbor to the ships sunk by atomic bombs at Bikini Atoll, and much more. From Publishers Weekly Recounting his 25 years as founder and director of the Submerged Cultural Resources Unit the underwater archeological team of the National Park Service Lenihan (Wake of the Perdido Star, with Gene Hackman) offers an entertaining mix of maritime history, memoir and adventure tale. Started in 1975 to keep fortune hunters from looting national water parks for sunken treasure and damaging vital historical material, Lenihan's unit has explored the wondrous (and deadly) sinkholes in Florida and Mexico; studied shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, Micronesia and places in between; and investigated the remains of the USS Arizona and the ships sunk by nuclear bombs near Bikini atoll. While the author is an authority on sea archeology and naval history, he and his divers are also underwater cowboys and cowgirls, thrilling in the dangers of their extreme sport. A sharp, engaging writer, Lenihan describes the terrifying aspects of his work the bone-chilling cold, impenetrable clouds of silt and the notorious bends with a good dose of black humor. (A surreal trip through an old impoundment house submerged in the reservoir of Amistad Dam in Texas is especially haunting.) Fast paced, full of amiable characters, the book will appeal to divers, maritime enthusiasts and anyone fond of nautical hijinks and swaggering seafarers. Photos and maps not seen by PW. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. Review ''A gripping saga of archeological exploration of famous shipwrecks. An engaging read of true adventure in the depths.'' Clive Cussler ''A sharp, engaging writer, Lenihan describes the terrifying aspects of his work with a good dose of black humor.'' Publishers Weekly ''An edge-of-your-seat story that succinctly illustrates the danger of wreck exploration.'' The Post and Courier , Charleston, SC ''Every water-oriented reader will be enthralled by Lenihan's underwater world.'' Maine Harbor Daniel Lenihan's Submerged shares stories of underwater expeditions in "an adventure-packed ride that rivals any Clive Cussler tome" ( Archeology Magazine ). Experience a kaleidoscope of real-life underwater missions as revealed by the Founder and Chief of U.S. National Park Service Submerged Cultural Resources Unit (SCRU), ranging from ancient ruins covered by reservoirs in the desert Southwest to a World War II submarine off the Alaskan coast; from the Isle Royale shipwrecks in the frigid Lake Superior to the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor; from the HL Hunley , the first submarine in history to sink an enemy ship, in Charleston Harbor to the ships sunk by atomic bombs at Bikini Atoll, and much more. "A gripping saga of archeological exploration." —#1 New York Times –bestselling author Clive Cussler "An edge-of-your-seat story that succinctly illustrates the danger of wreck exploration. Lenihan's enthusiasm and obvious love for uncovering the past is infectious." — The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC) " Submerged takes readers on an exciting tour of some of the world's most interesting dive sites and provides them with a fascinating glimpse into the world of underwater archeology." — Sport Diver The author uses a memoir format to present the history and development of the Submerged Cultural Resources Unit of the US National Park Service (known among divers as the SCRU Team). Lenihan was the founding chief of this archaeological diving team. It begins with Florida cave diving where the author cut his teeth and proceeds through stories of places like Isle Royale, diving the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor, the atom-bombed wrecks of Bikini Atoll and the CSS Alabama, the confederate raider sunk in the English Channel. Submerged is Daniel Lenihan's remarkable story of 25 years as founder and head of the Submerged Cultural Resource Unit (SCRU)ranging from ancient ruins covered by reservoirs in the desert Southwest to a World War II submarine off the Alaskan coast; from the Isle Royale shipwrecks in the frigid Lake Superior to the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor; from the HL Hunley, the first submarine in history to sink an enemy ship, in Charleston Harbor to the ships sunk by atomic bombs at Bikini Atoll, and much more Lenihan tells his remarkable story of 25 years as founder and head of the Submerged Cultural Resource Unit (SCRU) ranging from ancient ruins covered by reservoirs in the desert Southwest to a World War II submarine off the Alaskan coast; from the Isle Royale shipwrecks in the frigid Lake Superior to the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor; from the HL Hunley, the first submarine in history to sink an enemy ship, in Charleston Harbor to the ships sunk by atomic bombs at Bikini Atoll, and much more