Explore the unseen edge of naval warfare and the people who crew it.
This vivid profile of the Trawler and Auxiliary Fleet reveals how modern sea traffic is protected and threatened, from minefields to submarines, in a world where every move can mean life or death.
The book offers a grounded, cinematic look at the crews, ships, and daily routines that shape wartime sea lanes. It blends frontline detail with lyrical moments, showing both the grit of hard work and the quiet intensity of leadership under pressure. You’ll meet captains, engineers, wireless operators, and the many faces of a global conflict fought on every wave.
- See how mine-sweeping, traffic control, and anti-submarine work keep the Channel crowded and safe.
- Meet a diverse fleet of fishermen, trawlers, tugs, and support boats, and the people who live and work aboard them.
- Experience the tension and precision of submarine patrols, torpedo drills, and night navigation in the North Sea.
- Learn how crews bond with their ships, changing boats and crews while keeping a single mission in view.
Ideal for readers of naval history, maritime nonfiction, and classic military prose, this edition brings Kipling’s eye for detail and atmosphere to a startling, present-tense clarity.