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WAVES OF COURAGE: A WW2 True Story of Valor, Compassion and Sacrifice
by Wayde Rowsell
Wayde Rowsell
WAVES OF COURAGE: A WW2 True Story of Valor, Compassion and Sacrifice
by Wayde Rowsell
Wayde Rowsell
eBook
$7.13
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Overview
In the pre-dawn hours of February 18, 1942, Navy destroyers USS Wilkes (DD-441) and USS Truxton (DD-229) along with cargo supply ship USS Pollux (AKS2), slammed in to the granite rocks of Newfoundland's coast. An ocean storm so ferocious that winds exceeding eighty knots and waves as black as Erebus and over forty feet high heaved the three warships leeward until they were nearly six miles off course and disintegrating on the rocks off Lawn and St. Lawrence, Newfoundland. The ensuing hours of the storm's unabated fury sealed the fates of two of the three ships, rising and falling upon the outcroppings. Death came fast for some, painfully slow for others. Throughout the night the gale never subsided, giving no respite from its fierceness. The pulsations from the great North Atlantic storm began its deadly work. As the vessels began to founder sailors went topside, others aloft to see the remnants of their dying ships. Looking out they gazed in horror at great steep cliffs rising like a wall and cutting them off from all the world. They were positively alone, and dying. Oil soaked, hypothermic, drained of energy the sailors died where they landed, others were carried out to sea, their bodies never recovered. It remains to this day the worst naval maritime accident in the history of the United States Navy.
They say books reveal our secrets and it is certainly true with Wayde Rowsell's historical account of this World War II tragedy. Rowsell is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal service award for his contribution to Canada. He is passionate about history, more specifically the history of this heart wrenching naval disaster off the coast of his home town in St. Lawrence, NL. With his first book, Rowsell provides a glimpse into the character, compassion, and inexplicable bravery of the rescue angels from Lawn and St. Lawrence who seemingly appeared out of the blizzard to bring hope, relief, and rescue to stranded sailors clinging to life on the narrow belt of beach between cliff and icy water.
Rowsell's book is created from his exhaustive research gleaned from such sources as eye witness accounts, the National Archives, previous writings about the disaster, Navy records, and the Congressional Record. More importantly is the amount of text accorded to the citizenry of Newfoundland who effected a rescue rarely witnessed in human history. These villagers worked for nearly forty-eight straight hours using every available means to save the lives of American sailors. They carried the dead and dying to their homes. Many were warmed, bathed, fed, and fitted with dry clothing until they were nursed back to health. Sadly, Newfoundland also provided a temporary final resting place for those who succumbed from injury or froze to death.
Waves of Courage is a must read for those who enjoy military history, stories of World War II, naval history or the history of Canada's Maritime Provinces. Rowsell's book offers an excellent summary of the disaster and provides much more insight into the personal lives and heroics of the villagers of Lawn and St. Lawrence. To this end I strongly recommend this book for those readers who enjoy learning about thrilling lesser-known events of military history.
They say books reveal our secrets and it is certainly true with Wayde Rowsell's historical account of this World War II tragedy. Rowsell is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal service award for his contribution to Canada. He is passionate about history, more specifically the history of this heart wrenching naval disaster off the coast of his home town in St. Lawrence, NL. With his first book, Rowsell provides a glimpse into the character, compassion, and inexplicable bravery of the rescue angels from Lawn and St. Lawrence who seemingly appeared out of the blizzard to bring hope, relief, and rescue to stranded sailors clinging to life on the narrow belt of beach between cliff and icy water.
Rowsell's book is created from his exhaustive research gleaned from such sources as eye witness accounts, the National Archives, previous writings about the disaster, Navy records, and the Congressional Record. More importantly is the amount of text accorded to the citizenry of Newfoundland who effected a rescue rarely witnessed in human history. These villagers worked for nearly forty-eight straight hours using every available means to save the lives of American sailors. They carried the dead and dying to their homes. Many were warmed, bathed, fed, and fitted with dry clothing until they were nursed back to health. Sadly, Newfoundland also provided a temporary final resting place for those who succumbed from injury or froze to death.
Waves of Courage is a must read for those who enjoy military history, stories of World War II, naval history or the history of Canada's Maritime Provinces. Rowsell's book offers an excellent summary of the disaster and provides much more insight into the personal lives and heroics of the villagers of Lawn and St. Lawrence. To this end I strongly recommend this book for those readers who enjoy learning about thrilling lesser-known events of military history.
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940162800668 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Dion Rowsell |
| Publication date: | 02/13/2020 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| File size: | 5 MB |
About the Author
Wayde Gerald Rowsell is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, service awards and other heraldic decorations for contributions to Canada.
He was gainfully employed as a laboratory and x-ray technician at the Memorial Hospital for many years. He became involved in municipal politics during 1985 and retired in 2013 having served 28 years on the St.Lawrence Town Council, the last twenty years as Mayor.
During his early years on council, he was a founding member of the St.Lawrence Heritage Society 1988. During this time he became very familiar with the history that befell a convoy of ships and the loss of hundreds of sailors.
Through the Office of Mayor he has had the honor over the years to befriend survivors, rescuers, family and brethren in his community. Mr. Rowsell has been welcomed at notable events in our Province and the United States.
He was gainfully employed as a laboratory and x-ray technician at the Memorial Hospital for many years. He became involved in municipal politics during 1985 and retired in 2013 having served 28 years on the St.Lawrence Town Council, the last twenty years as Mayor.
During his early years on council, he was a founding member of the St.Lawrence Heritage Society 1988. During this time he became very familiar with the history that befell a convoy of ships and the loss of hundreds of sailors.
Through the Office of Mayor he has had the honor over the years to befriend survivors, rescuers, family and brethren in his community. Mr. Rowsell has been welcomed at notable events in our Province and the United States.
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