Overdue and Presumed Lost

The USS Bullhead was the last American naval vessel lost in World War II. This is the submarine’s history—from launch to disappearance—as told by the only war correspondent allowed on a wartime submarine patrol. Narrow escapes from floating mines, diving to avoid enemy aircraft, and a daring sortie to rescue three badly hurt Army survivors of a downed B-52 crew are just a few of the adventures recounted. Trained as a feature writer, author Martin Sheridan knew how to share his experiences, the intangible spirit of camaraderie and sense of danger, as well as the humorous and poignant incidents of everyday living. First published in 1947, the narrative is based on a journal kept by the author during the Bullhead’s first war patrol in March-April 1945 and supplemental information from official Navy reports. It captures the perilous undersea war in the Pacific as only a first-hand account can, supported by a unique collection of period photographs. Martin Sheridan, an author and former war correspondent for the Boston Globe, currently lives in Gilman, Connecticut.