Epilogue Summary and Analysis

In the epilogue to the book, Kurson writes that the actual case of the sinking of U-869 will probably never be known for sure, but he argues that it was "almost certainly" sunk by its own torpedo. He describes how the acoustically-guided torpedoes used by World War II submarines could turn around and head toward the submarine itself if they missed their initial target.

Following the identification of U-869, John Chatterton has little to do with the wreck. He continues diving and experimenting with new diving technology and remains friends with Richie Kohler.

Following the identification of the wreck, Kohler makes contact with the family members of some of the crewmen aboard U-869 and eventually travels to Germany to meet some of them, including Herbert Guschewski, an original crew member on U-869. Just a few hours before the sub is to...