Survivor

by Paul Madden, Pete Martin (Contributor)

The story of Paul Madden, who survived the ordeal of being adrift for 11 days with two other fliers when his plane ditched in the Atlantic for lack of fuel. On a raft stocked with food, water, fishing tackle, compass, even a small sail, floating in an area heavily patrolled by planes and ships, the men assumed that rescue would be a matter of time. Days passed, however, and rescue came. More than that, the raft kept capsizing in heavy ocean swells, causing the loss of most of their food, drinking water, and equipment. Thereafter, it meant the steady weakening of all three through the exertion of righting the raft and climbing aboard time and again. Captain Hart swallowed a great quantity of saltwater and died on the sixth day. Private Elsie died the 11th day, slipping away and sinking after another capsizing. Only Madden survived. As in other "survivor" tales, there is a religious interpretation sounded by an author as the only one who lived through the ordeal.

68 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1944

Reviews

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking short tale of surviving in a life boat for 11 days.