Hmm...not so sure that I liked that ending. I think the movie ending might be better.
I watched it again the other night and it struck me how much the movie is yet another interpretation of Moby Dick. Why does every movie that deals with naval warfare feel obliged to reinterpret that great tale? Widmark had his Russian sub, Master and Commander had the French warship as the whale, Robert Mitchum had Kurt Jurgens' sub in the Enemy Below, heck, even Kirk had Khan!
I think Crimson Tide was the only movie that didn't feel obliged to provide a white whale. Of course, that film was based on the Caine Mutiny and/or Mutiny on the Bounty.