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book cover for Rediscovering the USS Alligator

Rediscovering the USS Alligator

The U.S. Navy's "Lost" First Submarine

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Pub Date Aug 05 2025 | Archive Date Aug 30 2025

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Description

This book recounts the unlikely story of the USS Alligator, a secret weapon of the American Civil War, and the efforts to resurrect its legacy in United States Naval history. It is a tale of serendipity, unfolding in the most unexpected places—the South Pacific and Paris. It follows a shoestring expedition braving the treacherous waters off Cape Hatteras in search of the mysterious submarine, where everything that can go wrong does.

The mission gains momentum with the making of a Discovery Science Channel film, Hunt for the USS Alligator: Navy’s First Sub, even as setbacks pile up in the infamous “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” With relentless passion, the searchers press on, confronting the brutal realities of scouring the vast ocean for a “needle in a haystack.” Their efforts, while not yielding the Alligator, uncover valuable lessons and inspire future explorers.

This story is both a cautionary tale and a call to action, capturing the enduring allure of the USS Alligator, a lost icon of U.S. Naval history that still waits to be discovered on the ocean floor.

This book recounts the unlikely story of the USS Alligator, a secret weapon of the American Civil War, and the efforts to resurrect its legacy in United States Naval history. It is a tale of...


A Note From the Publisher

Daniel J. Basta was the Director of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), within the U.S. Department of Commerce, from 1999 to 2016 when he retired after 37 years of government service. His extensive experience with joint U.S. Navy history projects included those involving the wrecks of the USS Monitor, the USS Conestoga, and others. He was a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) for more than two decades and had an extraordinary career both inside and outside of government. He is well known as an explorer, adventurer, and master diver who has traveled the world. Since retirement, he has become a writer and author, spinning the tales of his adventures, sometimes to the wildest of places, and the colorful people he finds there. What makes his books and short stories compelling is that they are always about people, always true, and always convey useful lessons to everyone who reads them. This is his fourth book.

Daniel J. Basta was the Director of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), within the U.S. Department of Commerce, from 1999 to 2016...


Advance Praise

“This is a classic tale of history forgotten and lost. The search for a pioneering submarine, that as yet remains unfound, revealed far more than was ever before known. Masterfully told, Dan Basta’s recounting of the search for the Alligator is an instructive tale of how and why we should search for the past.” – Dr. James P. Delgado, World-renowned Marine Archeologist

"Rediscovering the USS Alligator: The U.S. Navy’s “Lost” First Submarine is a must read on all levels. Part historical drama, part thrilling mystery, part science non-fiction, this work is a well-rounded statement on the human’s capacity and essential need to seek out and educate ourselves about the strange and unique things that fascinate us day by day." - Feathered Quill

"Daniel J. Basta's writing is engaging and informative, blending technical details with vivid storytelling. He brings to life the personalities involved in the search, from naval officers to marine archaeologists, and underscores the importance of preserving maritime heritage." - Readers' Favorite


“This is a classic tale of history forgotten and lost. The search for a pioneering submarine, that as yet remains unfound, revealed far more than was ever before known. Masterfully told, Dan Basta’s...


Marketing Plan

Press Release/One-Sheet

Goodreads book page

Social media outreach

Live virtual events

Customized book announcement email

Editorial reviews

Strategy calls with publicist

NetGalley campaign

Press Release/One-Sheet

Goodreads book page

Social media outreach

Live virtual events

Customized book announcement email

Editorial reviews

Strategy calls with publicist

NetGalley campaign


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9798891327207
PRICE $14.99 (USD)
PAGES 158

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