Warrior from AdelaideOur ears rang from the violent explosions while we watched our ship dying from our heaving lifeboat. The S.S. John Witherspoon lay twisted and shuddering, gasping for air as the great broken hull slowly slid under icy waters. Our home and workplace, including all our possessions and familiar activities, was disappearing. Born the son of an American diplomat and southern belle in 1919, Richard Starrett grew up in foreign lands that were ripe with adventure. However, confined to bed with a debilitating disease as a young boy, he could only dream of becoming a hero like the characters he read about in books. Set against the backdrop of World War II, Warrior from Adelaide follows Richard as he undergoes a radical medical procedure to cure his malady. He faces pirates outside of Hong Kong. He gains the acceptance of hardened shipmates as a greenhorn. He encounters German U-boats amongst the icebergs of the Arctic Ocean, and he courts the heart of a beautiful singer in New York City. In his inspiring true story, Richard Starrett masterfully weaves a tale of adventure, war, love, and overcoming the odds. |
Contents
Arctic | 11 |
Emma | 17 |
Bamboo to Pirates | 23 |
Land of Leprechauns | 33 |
Painted Windows | 43 |
The Beginning | 55 |
Saturday Nights | 69 |
Monhegan Island | 77 |
Knights Move | 159 |
Mysterious Orders | 171 |
Hunted Down | 179 |
Gods Hands | 193 |
City of Wood | 201 |
Thirty Knots West | 207 |
Fair Maiden | 215 |
Long Voyage | 229 |
Music of the Sea | 85 |
First Lessons | 93 |
Wild Havana | 101 |
Mexican Odyssey | 111 |
Red Lights | 121 |
Painted Flags | 125 |
Convoy to Danger | 143 |
Brides Cake | 237 |
Ship of Cats | 243 |
Arabian Nights | 257 |
Postmen and Lawyers | 271 |
Coincidence | 281 |
Warriors Peace | 291 |
Common terms and phrases
aboard ahead allowed American anchor arms asked attack beautiful became become began beginning boat bridge British brought called captain cargo Carolin chief close coast command convoy course crew deck destroyers direction engine escorts eyes face Father feeling feet felt finally fire fleet followed force four German going hand hard head heavy hundred Island Italy lady land later least leaving lifeboat light living looked mate miles Mother moving naval navy never night officer orders painted passed planes play port ready Russian sail sailors seemed seen ship ship’s side sight signal smiled sounds speed stern stopped things thought told took trip turned U-boats United watch waved week York young