Tom Chatto, RNR

The final part of the TOM CHATTO trilogy Shortly after the declaration of war in 1914, the liner ORSINO comes under fire from a German cruiser. As navigator, Tom Chatto has to guide the liner through the uncharted waters of glaciers and rocky shoals behind Cape Horn as they escape to the South Atlantic. Upon returning to Liverpool, Tom volunteers for service in the Royal Naval Reserve and is appointed Lieutenant RNR and navigating officer of the Q ship THORNTON, whose role is to lure German U-boats to the surface and then attack by gunfire. The THORNTON is soon in action and Tom finds himself with more responsibilities than anticipated. Plunged into war, the ship's company find themselves dealing with military difficulties as well as personal problems that have followed them to sea.