Deep Thoughts: A Submariner's Time in Rhyme

Deep Thoughts: A Submariner's Time in Rhyme is a poetry anthology that gives voice to life beneath the waves, drawing on the lived experience of Royal Navy submariner David Parry. Through a sequence of tightly observed, often moving poems, the book traces the emotional, professional and domestic realities of submarining, from the night before sailing and the wrench of departure, to patrols in the Cold War depths and the long-awaited return home.

The poems explore the unique culture of the Submarine Service: friendship forged under pressure, leadership and command, demanding training such as "Perisher", and the constant discipline required to operate safely in a hostile, enclosed environment. Alongside moments of tension and danger sit humour, ritual and everyday life on board, including food, uniforms, ship-handling and improvised routines that mark the passing of time at sea.

Historical awareness runs throughout the collection, with tributes to submarine museums in the UK and Australia and reflections on shared international heritage. The verse is complemented by imaginative illustrations by Sandy Freeleagus, which add warmth and visual wit. Written with clarity, affection and honesty, this book offers both submariners and general readers a rare, human insight into a hidden world, while standing as a tribute to those who have served.

All profits from the sale of Deep Thoughts will be shared between Friends of the RN Submarine Museum and the Friends of the Holbrook Submarine Museum in NSW.

David Parry comes from a Liverpool Merchant Navy family and was educated at the pre-sea training school HMS Conway. However, he chose the Royal Navy, where he specialised in navigation and submarines. He qualified for submarine command in 1978 by passing the Perisher course, but had to leave the Navy prematurely. On retirement, he turned his interest in maritime history into a Master's Degree, the dissertation of which was published by the Swedish National Maritime Museum. He then went on to take a PhD at King's College London and subsequently published 'PERISHER'. He recalls his submarine life and experiences in a series of poems, some of which were first published under the nom de plume, DeePs, on the Friends of the Submarine Museum website. The poems have been collated into 'Deep Thoughts'