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Audiobook edition · 4 h 4 minPaperback · 6 × 9 in · printing soonHardcover · 6 × 9 in · printing soonAbout this book
Beneath the waves, courage means keeping your head when danger leaves no room for mistakes.
The Boy Volunteers with the Submarine Fleet takes you into the sea war of the First World War. Credited to Kenneth Ward, this young readers’ adventure follows boys who volunteer for service. Duty and a wish to help draw them toward a world where survival depends on more than individual bravery.
The submarine setting brings cramped steel hulls, dive orders and periscope watches into focus. Long waits give way to danger, and a crew must trust one another, follow orders and act together. In the tradition of early boys’ war fiction, quick action and loyal friendship frame a young hero’s test of nerve.
What you’ll discover
- War beneath the waves Enter a naval setting where danger comes beneath the surface as well as above it.
- Young volunteers under pressure Follow boys whose wish to help brings them face to face with wartime danger.
- Courage beyond bold words Discover why keeping a clear head matters as much as stepping forward.
- A crew working together See how trust, discipline and shared effort shape life inside a submarine.
- Old-fashioned adventure and suspense Enjoy the quick action and loyal friendships at the heart of boys’ war fiction.
Who will love it
You will enjoy this if you like sea adventure, early twentieth century war stories, and clever plans. It suits readers curious about how a submarine really works.
What’s inside
The key ideas, in the 15-minute summary
- Two cousins watch danger approach
- The captain gives fear useful work
- Preparation becomes action when torpedoes strike
- Rescue gives way to captivity
- Facts steady the boys below water
- Small clues reveal a dangerous route
- Clear thinking leaves room for mercy
- Sounds turn darkness into useful information
- Steady duty matters more than display
Who’s who
- RalphAn American boy who has seen two and a half years of war and keeps a sharp eye on every detail aboard ship and submarine.
- AlfredRalph's cousin, quick to ask questions and to notice signals, who worries about his parents but acts calmly when danger comes.
- Captain LeclereA French liner captain and former submarine officer who teaches the boys and wants to protect his passengers and free himself and his young friends.
- Mr. EltonAlfred's father, a businessman who must cross the danger zone and keeps his family steady when the first torpedoes pass.
- Mrs. EltonAlfred's mother, who admires the captain's plain speaking and fears for her son while trying to do her duty.
- The sub-lieutenantThe young German officer who takes command of the submarine after an accident and distrusts his prisoners.
- The lieutenantThe submarine's experienced commander, who knows the Channel route and leaves a stronger impression than his second officer.
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- Large print hardcover
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The Boy Volunteers with the Submarine Fleet in 25 languages, side by side, paragraph by paragraph, once the book texts are online: the way to learn a language with a book you love.
The Boy Volunteers with the Submarine Fleet
by Kenneth Ward · 1917
Two American boys and a liner captain plot to capture the German submarine that holds them prisoner.
Medium level2–5 hours to read20 languages
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In short
A foamy white trail slides across the sea toward a steamship, and two American boys with binoculars watch it pass. Is a captain calm enough to dodge a torpedo?
The Boy Volunteers with the Submarine Fleet at a glance
- Reading time
- About 2 h 10 min1 h 45 min fast, 2 h 35 min slow
- Length
- 31,000 words
- Library level
- Medium longer sentences, everyday words
- First published
- 1917by Kenneth Ward
Reading time at 238 words a minute (fast 300, slow 200). How long the classics take to read · Updated
From the 15-minute summary · Key idea 1
Two war-tested boys enter the danger zone
The story opens with a shout from the second officer: submarine, two points to starboard. A steamship bound for America swings into a half circle. Alfred runs to fetch Ralph, and soon two hundred passengers line the rail to watch a foamy trail pass a hundred feet away.
Then the book steps back to explain who these boys are. When war was declared, they were touring Europe with family. They joined the Belgian forces, then the aviation corps, and later served with the French and British artillery. Their parents at last found them through the American ambassador.
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Details
- First published
- 1917
- Language
- English
- Reading time
- 2 h 40 min
- Level
- Medium level
Cite this edition
Ward, Kenneth. The Boy Volunteers with the Submarine Fleet. Library of Alexandria, 2026, libraryofalexandria.com/products/the-boy-volunteers-with-the-submarine-fleet.
Ward, K. (2026). The boy volunteers with the submarine fleet. Library of Alexandria. https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/the-boy-volunteers-with-the-submarine-fleet (Original work published 1917)
Ward, Kenneth. The Boy Volunteers with the Submarine Fleet. Library of Alexandria, 2026. https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/the-boy-volunteers-with-the-submarine-fleet.
@book{ward2026boy,
author = {Ward, Kenneth},
title = {The Boy Volunteers with the Submarine Fleet},
publisher = {Library of Alexandria},
year = {2026},
url = {https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/the-boy-volunteers-with-the-submarine-fleet},
note = {First published 1917}
}
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What is The Boy Volunteers with the Submarine Fleet about?
It follows two American cousins, Ralph and Alfred, who have served in the war in Europe and sail home on a liner. A submarine attack, a lifeboat, and captivity aboard a German submarine follow, along with their captain's plan.
Who are Ralph and Alfred?
They are cousins. Alfred is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Elton, and Ralph is the son of Mrs. Elton's sister. They were touring Europe when war began and ended up flying, serving with artillery and helping the wounded.
Who is Captain Leclere?
He is the French captain of the liner and a former submarine officer. He explains compass points, pressure and torpedoes to the boys, and he shows how to read a submarine by its bells and dials.
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