Black Saturday, by A McKee

Black Saturday, The Tragedy of the Royal Oak
by Alexander McKee

Alexander McKee, diver and military historian, is widely known as the man who lead the team of amateur divers (one of whom was John Bevan) in the discovery of the wreck of Henry VII’s flagship, Mary Rose. John’s admiration and respect for ‘Mac’ (as McKee was known by his friends) is reflected in his comprehensive collection of McKee’s books. This is one from John’s private collection

On 14 October 1939, German submarine U-47 crept into Scapa Flow between the blockships that were meant to have made the sound impregnable.  The submarine fired three salvoes which struck and sank HMS Royal Oak with the loss of 834 of the 1200 men onboard.

Hardback without dust jacket in protective cellophane cover.
Dark blue cover with some marks and fading to top of spine. Title and author in gold foil on spine.
Front endpaper inscribed ‘A. LewensII’ in pencil. Evidence of other writing having been rubbed out. Back endpaper and exterior edges of pages are mottled.
12 pages of black and white photographs.
1959, Souvenir Press, London

220 pages, 140mm x 220mm (approx. 5.5in x 8.75in)