Now back to a regular service....
Geoffrey Jenkins, A Twist of Sand, 1959
United Kingdom
HMS Trout
T-Class Submarine
Details as per the real ships.
Germany
NP-1
Experimental U-boat.
Weight: 3000 tons
Power: Nuclear
Propulsion: Water-Jet (Surface speed: 25 knots. Submerged speed: 22 knots.)
Armament: Probably the same as U-boats in the later stages of WWII. No surface armament.
Appearance: Hullform probably not much different to a standard U-boat. Conning tower looks like an airplane wing.
Plot summary: In 1941 a British submarine is given orders to hunt down and destroy a prototype U-boat that has the potential to win the war for Germany should it prove successful in combat. In 1959 the British submarines captain returns to the region seeking answers to events that occurred when he completed his mission.
Note: As written above the novel indicates these events involving HMS Trout & NP-1 take place in 1941 or 42 at the latest. The novels briefing scene however contains references to Type XXI U-Boats and Walther propulsion experiments neither of which existed until 1943. It is of note that the film version of the novel released in 1968 moves the events to 1943.
Note: I've managed to locate a copy of the 5th printing of the 1959 hardback edition, cover artist as for the first printing of 'Two Hours to Darkness' is John Rose.
