"This book contains fifty acounts of Canadian merchant veterans who served during World War II. They were seamen, stokers, oilers, firemen, engineers, wireless operators, mates, stewards, cooks, and galley boys. Their collective voices are representative of the thousands who manned the bridges, decks and engine rooms of tankers, and freighters from Murmansk to Rangoon, from Halifax to Maracaibo. They fought against the Axis powers and the elements. Some were sunk by torpedoes, mines, gunfire and human error. Some became prisoners of war. Their narratives are interwoven with fear, sorrow, resignation, pride, humour, comradeship and a sense of duty. After 50 years of silence, this is their story."  --  from cover description