Highly Recommended
A deadly and harrowing true story filled with heroic sacrifice
and sad tribute, The Last Voyage of the SS Henry Bacon is highly
recommended reading for anyone with a strong interest in naval history
and a unique contribution to personal, academic, and community library
World War II studies collection.—The Bookwatch, March, 2002.
Real dangers of a liberty ship
…brings to life the real dangers of a liberty ship crew in the Artic
Sea north of Russia during World War II.…a gripping tale of brave
men at sea in the service of their country, working valiantly for the
war effort and being ignored by their own government when medals were
handed round.—Mike Ramsey in The Roanoke Times, Sunday, Feb.
3, 2002.
Far more than an ordinary story
...Far more than an ordinary story as the narrative includes the American
Merchant Marine, US Navy Armed Guard, Norwegian civilians and their daring
rescue by Royal Navy destroyers, voyages to Russia, life in Murmansk and
finally Convoy RA.64. All these ingredients have been woven into the meticulously
researched account by the authors who were determined that this little
known story of tragedy and heroism should be made known in its entirety....
A highly recommended readable book and a fine example of thorough research.—Richard
Cornish, The Review, a quarterly journal of the Naval Historical
Collectors and Research Association
A gripping sea story
“The authors transport the reader back to 1945 and the situation
that the participants faced in that bleak Arctic Sea, through the use
of oral histories, personnel interviews, and official reports. The
Last Voyage of the SS Henry Bacon is a gripping sea story and conveys
the imagery of what it was like to be merchant sailors and civilians caught
up in the horror of the Second World War.”—Professor Salvatore
R. Mercogliano, Department of History, Methodist College
I would would unreservedly recommend the book
“This book is easily read and understood by the general
public, while much of its content is of interest to the serious scholar
as well. Ethnographically, it maintains a standard of excellence not often
found in such an accessible form.... I would...unreservedly recommend
the book to those with a casual or personal interest in the events of
the period and...to those whose personal libraries cover the subjects
of Liberty ships, convoys, and merchant shipping in World War II.”—Morgiana
P. Halley, Ph.D., Maritime Ethnographer and Folklorist
A story of heroic courage, valor, and self sacrifice
“The Last Voyage of the SS Henry Bacon is a
story of heroic courage and valor and self sacrifice. The last voyage
of the Liberty ship SS Henry Bacon saw the crew put the lives of
19 Norwegian refugees above their own lives. The Bacon was the last Liberty
ship to be sunk by the German Lufwaffe on the Murmansk Run—from Scotland
to Murmansk, Russia. The ship fought valiantly against superior forces,
and downed more German planes than any other Liberty ship. The SS Henry
Bacon was born, lived and died in war; born November 11, 1942; died
February 23, 1945. When the ship went down, her proud captain and chief
engineer were standing at the helm. This is her story.
Well written and documented
The Last Voyage of the SS Henry Bacon is filled with
touching personal episodes, well written and documented, drawn from conversation
and correspondence with the surviving merchant seamen and Navy gunners.
Their accounts have been verified by declassified Navy and Maritime Commission
records.
Table of Contents
Dedication
Preface/Acknowledgments
Prologue
Chapter 1: Women on the SS Henry Bacon
Chapter 2: The Birth of the Henry Bacon
Chapter 3: The Shakedown
Chapter 4: The Skipper
Chapter 5: The Crew
Chapter 6: Sørøya: Hidden Behind the Pages of History
Chapter 7: Operation “Open Door”
Chapter 8: Refugees to the Bacon
Chapter 9: Rest and Recreation in Murmansk
Chapter Ten: Leaving Murmansk
Chapter 11: The Tempest
Chapter 12: “Wind Force 12”
Chapter 13: “A Swarm of Bees”
Chapter 14: “Abandon Ship”
Chapter 15: Take to the Water
Chapter 16: Rescue
Chapter 17: The Way Home
Chapter 18: After Action Report
Selected Bibliography
Photo Gallery
Appendices
Roster of Crew Members
Officers of HMS Opportune, HMS Zambesi, HMS Zealous, HMS Zest, HMCS Sioux
Composition of Convoy RA 64
Norwegian Survivors
Index
DONALD R. FOXVOG has been writing all his life. Before his retirement, he worked for United Press, the Congressional Quarterly, and at several newspapers. Foxvog has served as a Congressional speech writer and performed freelance writing jobs for government agencies.
DR. ROBERT I. ALOTTA has been writing and getting published since the age of 14. He has written countless articles for academic journals and major and minor newspapers and magazines. Additionally, he has authored nine historical non-fiction works. His doctorate is in American military history. Dr. Alotta currently teaches history at Blue Ridge Community College, Weyers Cave, VA. He is also the director of education and information services for the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office and their webmaster.
