In the Waves

My Quest to Solve the Mystery of a Civil War Submarine

By: Rachel Lance

Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman

Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

"One part science book, one part historical narrative, one part memoir…harrowing, and inspiring.” (The Wall Street Journal)

How a determined scientist cracked the case of the first successful - and disastrous - submarine attack.

On the night of February 17, 1864, the tiny Confederate submarine HL Hunley made its way toward the USS Housatonic just outside Charleston harbor. Within a matter of hours, the Union ship’s stern was blown open in a spray of wood planks. The explosion sank the ship, killing many of its crew. And the submarine, the first ever to be successful in combat, disappeared without a trace.

For 131 years the eight-man crew of the HL Hunley lay in their watery graves, undiscovered. When finally raised, the narrow metal vessel revealed a puzzling sight. There was no indication the blast had breached the hull, and all eight men were still seated at their stations - frozen in time after more than a century. Why did it sink? Why did the men die? Archaeologists and conservationists have been studying the boat and the remains for years, and now one woman has the answers.

In the Waves is much more than just a military perspective or a technical account. It’s also the story of Rachel Lance’s single-minded obsession spanning three years, the story of the extreme highs and lows in her quest to find all the puzzle pieces of the Hunley. Balancing a gripping historical tale and original research with a personal story of professional and private obstacles, In the Waves is an enthralling look at a unique part of the Civil War and the lengths one scientist will go to uncover its secrets.

©2020 Rachel Lance (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“A page-turning tale of personal obsession to solve a great historical mystery frozen in time. Rachel Lance dives deep into an era during the Civil War when combatants took almost unimaginable risks, then uses a thrilling combination of creativity, ingenuity, and curiosity to answer questions long thought lost beneath the waves. A wonderful adventure told by that rarest of breeds - a scientist who writes beautifully and won’t relent until she knows.” (Robert Kurson, New York Times best-selling author of Shadow Divers and Rocket Men)

“In the Waves draws the reader deep into a layered mystery, rich with explosive experimentation, Civil War history, and the engaging personal narrative of a young scientist. As persuasive as she is passionate, Rachel Lance expertly unravels the tragedy of the Hunley, complete with its scientific and historical context. Yet Lance’s book reveals more than torpedo blasts and shock waves: it is an inspiring look at what is possible when devotion and science are joined.” (Nathalia Holt, New York Times best-selling author of Rise of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us from Missiles to the Moon to Mars)

“Lance deftly blends historical narrative and the unraveling of this scientific puzzle in a thoroughly accessible and entertaining style.... This engaging investigative work will intrigue readers of Civil War and naval histories and sleuths of scientific puzzles.” (Library Journal, starred review)

Fascinating blend of science and mystery

The former science teacher in me loved all the details of how the author figured out this historical mystery. But she conveys the science and history in very readable text. Fascinating.

Great story

This is excellent - Finally solving the mystery of the Huntley - I totally enjoyed it - Any Civil Eat buff will enjoy it as well!

Hunley solved!

Rachel does a good job explaining the physics in a way most can understand. My background is an engineer as well so I found it fascinating! The story of the Hunley is a great one that draws you in. I sure wish I read this book before visiting the Hunley museum in Charleston though! Now I have to go back:-)

A wonderful scientific dive!

This book is a wonderful insight into the meticulous world of real scientific experimentation, trials, and discovery.

Great Book w enough detail to keep you engaged!

I have to say the the work of Rachel Lance on this book was nearly perfect for the history minded or the technology minded. She didn't get her PhD from Duke by mistake.

She blends enough history, and her knowledge of blast injuries into an engaging story that looks at such a historic event as the sinking of the Husitonic and the subsequent sinking of the Hunley. Through experimentation a meager budget she methodically uncovers the actual cause of the sinking debunking the multi decades rumors and innuendo and guess's.

Professor Lance fills the book with page after page of interesting stories about her journey to the truth.

YOU WILL LIKE THIS BOOK

An astoundingly good book, perfectly read.

I have no particular interest in math or engineering (my father's genius in both dodged my particular DNA) but Rachel Lance has managed to solve a poignant historical mystery with enough proofs and facts to satisfy any engineer. And she has told the story of this five-year effort (which earned her a PhD from Duke University) with gripping suspense .
When the city of Charleston was blockaded toward the end of the Civil War, boat builders and designers were desperate to find a way to damage the ring of Union ships that prevented the importing of food and all other supplies. The city was dying from large-gun bombardment and from the starvation of its citizens. This desperate situation led to the design and building of the CSS Hunley, a small submarine powered by hand-cranking of the propeller. Seven of the crew of eight sat should-to-shoulder in a tiny (about 38 feet long) vehicle made to deliver a "torpedo" to the hull of the nearest Union ship. All eight men were well aware of previous fatal attempts to break the blockade by means of a submarine.
The story of the submarine itself, why it was designed as it was, and how all the crew died without visible physical injuries pulled me in immediately. The skeletons found in the wreck in 2000 were each seated in battle stations, and there were many theories as to what had killed them. Dr. Lance gets most if not all of the credit for solving the mystery. She also researched extensively the identities of most of the crew, and their backgrounds are interesting in themselves.
I don't want to tell the story in any more detail, but can assure readers that this is a story of human beings who died in the nineteenth century and the people who sought to discover what happened to them.
Dr. Lance is a terrific writer and I will be very interested in anything else she writes or has written. Narrator Rebecca Lowman is as elegant a reader as I have ever encountered, and she does this book full justice. I will also look for any other books she has read.

Great Book

I have read and listened to many books on the civil war. After a time it’s difficult to listen to some of the topics you know so well even though they are interesting. This book was a wonderful new version of information I had known little about before

Easily digestible, even the technical parts

Interesting storylines - both historical re the Sub and modern about how research occurs within today’s demands. Excellent examples that speak to lay persons, easy listening by the narrator.