Introduction
Imagine being a child sent across the ocean for safety during World War II, only to face the terror of a German U-boat attack. This is the heart-wrenching true story that unfolds in Deborah Heiligman’s Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of “The Children’s Ship.”
Heiligman, a celebrated author of children’s and young adult literature, brings a pivotal historical event to life in this gripping narrative. This Torpedoed book summary offers a glimpse into this compelling tale of courage, loss, and resilience. You’ll gain insight into the Children’s Overseas Reception Board program, the devastating events surrounding the sinking, and the remarkable journey of one lifeboat’s survival.
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Key Facts
1. Book Title: Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of “The Children’s Ship”
2. Author: Deborah Heiligman
3. Year Published: 2019
4. Genres: Nonfiction, History, Children’s Literature
5. Number of Pages: 304
About the Author
Deborah Heiligman penned her first works while working at Scholastic News, right out of college. From picture books to young adult titles, both fiction and nonfiction, she has authored a diverse collection of over thirty publications.
She has garnered numerous awards for her writing, including a National Book Award finalist distinction for Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith, the Cook Prize for The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos, and the Sydney Taylor Award for Intentions. Her picture book series about Tinka the dog and her latest book, Vincent and Theo: The van Gogh Brothers are just some examples of her captivating narratives. Find out more at her website.
Main Points
The Children’s Overseas Reception Board (CORB) Program
Imagine living in England during the Blitz. German bombs fall nightly, threatening lives and homes. Parents face a gut-wrenching decision: keep their children in danger or send them overseas to safety, possibly for years? This was the dilemma faced by families across Britain, and many chose the latter, enrolling their children in the Children’s Overseas Reception Board program.
This government-run program aimed to send children between five and fifteen to British dominions like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The promise: safe passage on ships protected by Royal Navy escorts. Thousands of children had already participated, and while the torpedoing of the SS Volendam a few weeks prior caused apprehension, its survival with no children lost seemed to reinforce the program’s safety.
A Journey Cut Short
The SS City of Benares set sail from Liverpool on Friday, September 13th, 1940, carrying ninety CORB children. You would find them amid a diverse group of passengers, each with their individual stories and dreams for a future free from war. Among them was eleven-year-old Colin Ryder Richardson, traveling alone to New York, the Bech family seeking refuge with relatives in Canada, and the Grimmond siblings, five of ten children, sent away after their London home was destroyed in a bombing raid.
The initial days were filled with excitement. Children marveled at the ship’s grandeur, delighted in its plentiful food (especially the ice cream!), and participated in lifeboat drills with an air of adventure. There was a palpable sense of hope: the recent British victory against the Luftwaffe offered a glimmer that the war might soon end, and these children would be reunited with their families.
Terror in the North Atlantic
Five days into the voyage, the Benares’s Royal Navy escort departed. The captain, desiring to quickly reach safer waters, wished to speed ahead, but the convoy commodore overruled him, ordering the ships to remain together. That evening, as a storm raged and the Benares steamed through the dark North Atlantic, a German U-boat, U-48, stalked the convoy.
At 10:03 pm, a torpedo struck. Chaos erupted as the ship shuddered and lights extinguished, plunging the vessel into darkness. You would hear the terrifying sounds of shattering glass, splintering wood, and desperate cries. The children, many in pajamas and ill-prepared for the frigid North Atlantic, rushed to lifeboats.
The Long Night and Days of Despair
Launching lifeboats in a raging storm proved disastrous. Many boats tipped, dumping passengers into the icy waters. Screams pierced the darkness as children and adults perished. Some, like Bess Walder, clung to an overturned lifeboat for over nineteen hours, enduring the relentless battering of waves and the bitter cold. Others, like the Bech family, found themselves adrift on a flimsy raft, clinging to survival.
After a desperate night, the destroyer HMS Hurricane arrived to rescue survivors. They found a scene of devastation: dead children in lifeboats, lifeless bodies on rafts. Colin, barely alive and encased in oil from the Benares, was hauled onto the Hurricane and rushed to the engine room to thaw. The Bechs, physically unable to climb the rope netting, were passed from sailor to sailor up to the deck. But for many, rescue came too late.
Lifeboat 12’s Remarkable Journey
Unbeknownst to the Hurricane’s crew, one lifeboat drifted unseen. Lifeboat 12, commanded by a young officer and packed with thirty-two lascars, six CORB boys, and two escorts, had opted to remain behind during the rescue, choosing to row toward the Irish coast. They had rations, but time was their enemy.
Mary Cornish, a music teacher and CORB escort, took on the responsibility of caring for the boys, her spirit tested by exhaustion, thirst, and the occasional outbursts from a well-meaning but abrasive gunner. She kept the boys alive through stories, her fictionalized tales of Bulldog Drummond providing a vital distraction from the bleak reality. Days blurred into a nightmare of thirst, hunger, and the ever-present fear of death.
A Second Rescue and Lasting Impacts
On the eighth day, a Sunderland seaplane spotted them. After an agonizing hour, a rescue ship arrived. The boys, each clutching a can of condensed milk as a souvenir, were lifted aboard the HMS Anthony. They returned home heroes, forever marked by the experience. But for many families, the joy of their return was eclipsed by the grief of those lost.
The sinking of the Benares became a symbol of the indiscriminate cruelty of war. The tragedy prompted the Royal Navy to implement dedicated rescue ships for convoys, a change that would save countless lives in the years to come. But the story of the Benares, its passengers, and those who perished remains a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the profound cost of conflict.
Quotes
1. “It’s all right, it’s only a torpedo.”
This quote, uttered by Mary Cornish as she guided terrified children through the sinking ship, reflects her courageous effort to project calm amid chaos. You can see how it poignantly underscores the unimaginable circumstances these children faced – a torpedo strike being their only reassurance.
2. “Ships have souls. Ships cry when they sink.”
A sailor’s response to Bess Walder’s observation of the Benares groaning as it went down, this quote evokes the poignant personification of the ship. It highlights the deep connection between sailors and their vessels, and the shared sense of loss felt when a ship meets its end.
3. “There are still children in the water, and I must get them.”
These words, spoken by Michael Rennie as he dove repeatedly into the icy water to rescue children, epitomize selfless heroism. You witness the depth of his compassion and willingness to risk his own life to save others, even as his own strength waned.
4. “British heroes don’t snivel.”
Mary Cornish’s admonition to the boys in lifeboat 12 reveals the stoic spirit expected of wartime Britons. You grasp how it reflects the cultural emphasis on resilience and fortitude, even in the face of despair. It also highlights the heavy burden placed on children to embody this ideal.
5. “You will have to think of the whole sea as poor little Beryl’s grave. She belongs to a very gallant company of people whose grave is the sea.”
This compassionate yet heartbreaking message from CORB director Elspeth Davies to Beryl Myatt’s parents acknowledges the vastness of their loss. You are invited to contemplate the immeasurable grief of those left behind, and the countless individuals who found their final resting place in the depths of the ocean.
Torpedoed Book Review
Deborah Heiligman’s Torpedoed is a powerful and moving account of the sinking of the SS City of Benares during World War II. This tragedy, which claimed the lives of many children being evacuated to safety, becomes a lens through which you can examine themes of courage, resilience, and the devastating impact of war.
Strengths
Heiligman’s writing is both engaging and accessible. She adeptly weaves together multiple storylines, giving voice to a diverse array of passengers and crew members. Through their individual experiences, she paints a vivid picture of life aboard the ship, from the initial excitement to the horrifying moments of the torpedo strike and the harrowing struggle for survival.
The structure of the book, alternating between the perspectives of those on the Benares, the U-boat, and the rescue ship, heightens the suspense and emotional impact. Heiligman meticulously researched primary source materials, including interviews with survivors, letters, and official reports. This groundwork lends authenticity and depth to the narrative, bringing to life a pivotal, yet often overlooked, event in World War II history.
Weaknesses
While Torpedoed excels in its portrayal of the British passengers and crew, the narrative could offer a more complete picture of the lascars’ experiences. These Indian sailors comprised a significant portion of the Benares’ crew, yet their stories remain largely untold. Expanding this aspect would enrich the book’s historical and cultural scope.
Best Format
The physical book format is ideal for Torpedoed. The book includes photographs and a detailed list of the Benares’ shipmates, adding a visual and historical dimension to the reading experience. Holding the book in your hands and turning its pages fosters a tangible connection to the story, enhancing the emotional resonance of the narrative.
Recommendation
This book is an excellent choice for readers interested in World War II history, maritime disasters, and stories of survival. Its accessible writing style makes it appropriate for both young adults and adults. Torpedoed is a profound testament to human courage in the face of adversity, a story that will stay with you long after you finish reading.
Conclusion
Through this Torpedoed book summary, you’ve explored the historical context of the CORB program, witnessed the harrowing events of the sinking, and experienced the resilience of those on lifeboat 12. Their story underscores the profound human cost of war. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, hope and bravery can prevail.
Torpedoed serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of historical remembrance. We learn from these events, honoring the victims, and appreciating the sacrifices made. Read the complete Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of “The Children’s Ship” to fully immerse yourself in this captivating and poignant narrative. The echoes of their courage will resonate within you long after you close the book.
FAQs
1. Was the SS City of Benares carrying any valuable cargo besides the children?
Yes, in addition to its passengers, the Benares likely carried gold bullion. British ships frequently transported gold as payment for war supplies from Allied nations like the United States and Canada. This treasure, worth billions today, made the Benares a potentially even more attractive target for German U-boats.
2. Why did the Royal Navy escort leave the Benares’s convoy?
The Royal Navy destroyers and corvettes assigned to protect the convoy had a limited timeframe for their mission. They had to return to escort another convoy coming from Canada, which carried vital supplies for the British war effort. This unfortunately left the Benares and the other merchant ships vulnerable to attack.
3. Did the German U-boat crew know there were children on the Benares?
No, the U-boat crew were unaware that children were on board. They targeted the Benares because it was the largest ship in the convoy, not knowing it carried evacuees. Several years after the war, when the U-boat’s radio operator learned of the children, he reported that the commander, Heinrich Bleichrodt, was profoundly affected by this knowledge.
4. How did Mary Cornish keep the spirits of the six boys in Lifeboat 12 up for eight days?
Despite exhaustion and terrible conditions, Mary kept the boys engaged by telling them stories. She drew on her familiarity with popular adventure novels and wove tales of Bulldog Drummond, a fictional British hero battling Nazi spies. These narratives, though fantastical, offered the boys a vital distraction from their ordeal.
5. Were there any lasting impacts from the Benares tragedy?
Yes, the devastating loss of life, especially the children, led to significant changes in Royal Navy policy. They began assigning designated rescue ships to convoys. If a vessel was torpedoed or damaged, this ship would stay behind to rescue survivors. This shift would save countless lives during the remainder of the war.
Leon Blake is a recognized expert in simplifying complex narratives into digestible book summaries that serve the busy, modern reader. Holding a Master’s degree in English Literature, Leon specializes in creating engaging summaries that help readers quickly grasp the essence of a book. His work supports those who are eager to learn but have limited time, offering insights into a wide array of genres.
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