Having survived the sinking of his first ship, Ensign Ash Miller USNR is promoted and assigned to command one of the sleek new additions to "the splinter fleet," a 110-foot wooden submarine chaser armed with only understrength guns and depth charges. His task is to bring the ship swiftly into commission, weld his untried crew into an efficient fighting unit, and take his vessel to sea in order to protect the defenseless Allied merchant vessels which are being maliciously and increasingly sunk by German U-Boats, often within sight of the coast.
Ash rises to the deadly challenge he faces, brings his crew of three officers and 27 men to peak performance, and meets the threats he faces with understated courage and determination, rescuing stricken seamen, destroying Nazi mines, fighting U-Boats, and developing both the tactical sense and command authority that will be the foundation upon which America's citizen sailors eventually win the war. During rare breaks in operations, Ash cherishes a developing relationship with the spirited Claire Morris who embodies the peaceful ideal for which he has been fighting. At the height of the Battle of the Atlantic, young Ensign Ash Miller takes command of a new submarine chaser, brings together the untried crew, and leads them in the desperate fight against the German U-boats.
About the Author
Phillip Parotti grew up in Silver City, New Mexico, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1963, and served four years at sea on destroyers, both in the Pacific and the Atlantic, before exchanging his regular commission for a commission in the U.S. Naval Reserve. In addition to a number of short stories, essays, and poems, Parotti has published three well received novels about The Trojan War. In retirement, Parotti and his wife, Shirley, live in their hometown where he continues to write and work as a print artist. Together, they have two daughters and four grandchildren.
Industry Reviews
Parotti captures the feel of shipboard life perfectly, and the technical details he brings make for great realism. * Historical Novels Review *
There is a great deal to commend this engaging account of a WWII sailor's life. For those who are fans of punctilious attention to naval and nautical detail, there is plenty here. For anyone who enjoys a sense of the era, the use of language in the dialogue and prose, and the descriptions of the food and clothing of 1940's East Coast USA are spot on. [...] Many publications in this area glamorise the dynamic and the duty. Splinter on the Tide has no need to do so, its quiet, unpretentious tone does trick very nicely indeed. * Love Reading 19/07/2021 *
As well as being a gripping naval adventure story, Splinter on the Tide oozes authenticity. If you are a fan of films such as The Enemy Below, In Which We Serve or The Cruel Sea, then I think you will enjoy Splinter on the Tide as much as I did. * What Cathy Read Next 28/09/2021 *
This enjoyable if tension-free sea adventure from Parotti spotlights a seldom-seen aspect of WWII-the escort ships that protected ocean travel along the U.S. East Coast from German U-boat attacks. * Publishers Weekly 27/04/2021 *
A page-turning historical portrayal of love, war, hardship and discovery of the true cost for sailors' survival. Those who were at sea in any war time will savor every page. * Maria Riva, best-selling NY Times author of Marlene Dietrich *
People won't forget the visceral impact of these real-life characters. Ordinary people, pushed to extraordinary ends, surviving the true horrors of war accurately portrayed. A military, naval, novel you won't want to put down. * Ron Lealos, author of Don't Mean Nuthin' and Pashtun *
