4th Estate
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This eBook first published in Great Britain by 4th Estate in 2018
Copyright © 2018 by Rachel Slade
Cover design by Allison Saltzman
Cover images © Mike Hill/Photographer’s Choice/Getty Images
Rachel Slade asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
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Source ISBN: 9780008302436
Ebook Edition © August 2017 ISBN: 9780008302450
Version: 2018-04-23
To the families and friends of those lost on El Faro.
No one should have to endure such sorrow.
There is nothing more enticing, disenchanting, and enslaving than the life at sea.
—LORD JIM, JOSEPH CONRAD
CONTENTS
CAST OF CHARACTERS
CHAIN OF COMMAND ABOARD EL FARO
EL FARO PLANS AND CROSS-SECTION
A NOTE ON THE TEXT
PART I
CHAPTER 1: THE CLOCK IS TICKING
CHAPTER 2: BLOUNT ISLAND
CHAPTER 3: TROPICAL STORM JOAQUIN
CHAPTER 4: THIRD MATE JEREMIE RIEHM
CHAPTER 5: A HURRICANE IS NOT A POINT ON A MAP
CHAPTER 6: SECOND MATE DANIELLE RANDOLPH
CHAPTER 7: COLLISION COURSE
CHAPTER 8: HULL NUMBER 670
CHAPTER 9: AFTERNOON
CHAPTER 10: CAPTAIN MICHAEL DAVIDSON
CHAPTER 11: QUESTION AUTHORITY?
CHAPTER 12: THE JONES ACT
CHAPTER 13: EVENING
CHAPTER 14: NIGHT
CHAPTER 15: NECESITAMOS LA MERCANCÍA
CHAPTER 16: DAWN
CHAPTER 17: THE RAGING SEA
CHAPTER 18: WE’RE GONNA MAKE IT
PART II
CHAPTER 19: WE’VE LOST COMMUNICATION
CHAPTER 20: SEARCH AND RESCUE
CHAPTER 21: FLIGHT TO JACKSONVILLE
CHAPTER 22: SHIPS DON’T JUST DISAPPEAR
CHAPTER 23: PROFIT AND LOSS
CHAPTER 24: THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE
CHAPTER 25: HOW TO SINK A SHIP
CHAPTER 26: ADMIRAL GREENE CLEARS THE AIR
CHAPTER 27: PORTRAIT OF INCOMPETENCE
CHAPTER 28: MISSION NUMBER TWO
CHAPTER 29: THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING
CHAPTER 30: VOICES
CHAPTER 31: TWENTY-FOUR MINUTES
CHAPTER 32: SPIRITS
EPILOGUE
CREW LIST
INDEX
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A NOTE ON SOURCES
FEATURED EL FARO OFFICERS AND CREW
DECK DEPARTMENT
Michael Davidson, 53, Master
Steven Shultz, 54, Chief Mate, First Watch
Danielle Randolph, 34, Second Mate, Second Watch
Jeremie Riehm, 46, Third Mate, Third Watch
Frank