Peter Scott is a Lane Cove local, who joined the Royal Australian Navy as a seventeen-year-old and rose over three decades to be the professional head of the Navy’s elite – the Submarine Arm. Having retired from full-time naval service in early 2017, he now works as an Executive Coach and, in his spare time, he wrote his first book Running Deep – An Australian Submarine Life.
ITC asked Peter Scott about his book.
What is Running Deep About?
As a memoir, Running Deep – An Australian Submarine Life covers my service life and, in particular, my submarine career, including many of my adventures and misadventures along the way. It captures something of the mystery, thrill, occasional terror, and, importantly, the enduring satisfaction of living and working with submarines and submariners.
I spent 34 years in the Navy and served in 10 submarines; I commanded two submarines: the HMAS Collins and HMAS Dechaineux, before becoming Director General Submarines in the Navy Strategic Command.
During that time, my character was forged by the challenges of naval service, success and failure as a leader, catastrophic onboard disasters while dived, and life-threatening traumas. Along the way, I also endured personal battles with self-doubt, addiction, depression and anxiety.
What Inspired You to Write Your Memoir?
For most Australians, naval service – and in particular, submarine service – is an exotic and largely unknowable way of life. Much of what I know about what it’s like, what it takes and what it means to be an Australian Submariner is captured in the book. I was inspired to write Running Deep – An Australian Submarine Life to offer an insight into a genuinely rare existence, and to provide a greater appreciation of the value of our submarines as a deterrent, or an offensive capability, in the defence of our Nation.
How Long Did It Take to Write Your Memoir?
I spent most of 2021 writing the manuscript and finding the right publisher – Fremantle Press.
I then spent a large part of 2022 working through the editorial process and everything else that goes into turning a manuscript into a published work, ready for distribution and release this year.
This was my first book, and I had so much to learn.
I might one day write another book, but my long-suffering wife reckons my second wife will need to help me with book number two.
What Feedback Have You Had on the Book?
‘Peace and war for a submariner are much the same. Service with our Navy’s main strike weapon is a mystery for most Australians. If we are to comprehend the terms of our survival, we must know. This beautifully written memoir is our key. It needs a wider audience.’ The Honourable Kim Beazley AC
‘… an absorbing, often searing account of the life of a submariner and a Navy leader. Peter’s story chronicles the modern life of our critical strategic deterrent – the RAN’s submarine arm.’ General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Retd)
‘Personal and full of integrity, a great account of the ups and downs of serving Australia as an outstanding submariner.’ Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Ret’d)
Where Will You Be on ANZAC Day 2023?
This ANZAC Day, I will deliver the Dawn Service Address at North Bondi RSL. I will be recounting two stories of submarine floods at sea a century apart; I will speak on reflection, gratitude and honour.
How Long Have You Lived in the Lane Cove Area?
I grew up in Lane Cove, going to school at St Michael’s Primary School and St Ignatius College Riverview. Lane Cove has been the anchor for my wider family over the decades, with my Mum and Dad living in the one home here for more than fifty years.
I joined the Navy at seventeen, spent about thirty years away, and then returned with my family to Lane Cove a decade ago.
What’s your Favourite Thing to Do in Lane Cove?
I love to run the trails around the Harbour and the Lane Cove River.
What is your Favourite Coffee Shop in Lane Cove?
Tony’s at York’s Corner!
How do I Purchase Peter Scott’s Running Deep?
Available from Burns Bay Bookery
Linkedin: Peter-Scott-csc
Website: https://peterscott.au/book
Instagram: @peterscottauthor
The book is available in hardcopy, e-book or audio-book formats, online or at your favourite bookstore.
Help Support Local and Independent News
You can support us in three ways:
- Become an ITC reader sponsor – Feel free to be a reader sponsor if you have enjoyed our local news coverage and would like to be an ITC reader sponsor. You can sponsor us with a monthly sponsorship fee. We have reader sponsors who sponsor us for $5.00 a month and some who sponsor us for $100 a year – no amount is too small or too big. Thank you so much to the people who have already supported us via our press Patreon account. Help Us Here.
- Buy the ITC team a coffee – We now have a team, and they need to be paid – buy the ITC team a coffee (or two) and that will help us pay their wages and shout then a coffee Buy a Coffee here.
- Do you own a Lane Cove Business or a Lane Cove resident who owns a business, you can advertise with ITC – our packages start from a $30 monthly fee (for a 12-month commitment). Email us here for our rates card.
