A powerful novel of the north atlantic in World War II, this is the story of the British ships compass rose and saltash and of their desparate cat-and-mouse game with nazi u-boats. First published to great acclaim in 195...A powerful novel of the north atlantic in World War II, this is the story of the British ships compass rose and saltash and of their desparate cat-and-mouse game with nazi u-boats. First published to great acclaim in 1951, The Cruel Sea remains a classic novel of endurance and daring.