Rediscovering the USS Alligator, by Daniel J. Basta

“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

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.