Book
So close to home : a true story of an American family's fight for survival during World War II / Michael J. Tougias and Alison O'Leary.
On May 19, 1942, a U-boat in the Gulf of Mexico stalked its prey fifty miles from New Orleans. Captained by twenty nine-year-old Iron Cross and King's Cross recipient Erich Wurdemann, the submarine set its sights on the freighter Heredia with sixty-two souls on board. Most aboard were merchant seamen, but there were also a handful of civilians, including the Downs family: Ray and Ina, and their two children, eight-year-old Sonny and eleven-year-old Lucille. Fast asleep in their berths, the Downs family had no idea that two torpedoes were heading their way. When the ship exploded, chaos ensued--and each family member had to find their own path to survival. -- Amazon.com
Record details
- ISBN: 9781681771304
- ISBN: 1681771306
- Physical Description: xi, 238 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm
- Edition: First Pegasus Books cloth edition.
- Publisher: New York : Pegasus Books, 2016.
Content descriptions
| General Note: | Maps on lining papers. |
| Formatted Contents Note: | A Tired Old Workhorse -- Ina and the South American Venture -- Admiral Dönitz and his Grey Wolves -- Harro Schacht and U-507 -- The Grey Wolves and the Mississippi -- Moving Ever Closer -- Denied a Safe Port -- An Uneasy Feeling -- Torpedoes in the Night -- The Raft -- A most Hopeless Night -- Dawn -- Desperation -- Running Out of Time -- The Shrimp Boat and a Surprise -- Ina -- Lucille -- Triumphant Return to Lorient -- Morgan City and the Hospital -- The Laconia: A Sinking and a Rescue -- Spies, Duty, and the Turning of the Battle Tide -- Passages So Far from Home -- Sonny. |
Search for related items by subject
| Subject: | Downs family. World War, 1939-1945. World War, 1939-1945 > Naval operations > Submarine. Shipwreck survival > Mexico, Gulf of. Survival at sea > Mexico, Gulf of. |
Available copies
- 2 of 2 copies available at Evergreen Indiana.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 2 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fulton Co PL - Rochester Main Library | 940.545 TOU (Text) | 33187004073918 | Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Sheridan PL - Sheridan | 940.5 TOU (Text)
Donated by:
K.V. Elliot Post 67 American Legion
In Memory of:
James Beard
|
37745000619194 | Adult non-fiction | Available | - |
Loading Recommendations...
- Baker & Taylor
"On May 19, 1942, a U-boat in the Gulf of Mexico stalked its prey fifty miles from New Orleans. Captained by twenty nine-year-old Iron Cross and King's Cross recipient Erich Wurdemann, the submarine set its sights on the freighter Heredia with sixty-two souls on board. Most aboard were merchant seamen, but there were also a handful of civilians, including the Downs family: Ray and Ina, and their two children, eight-year-old Sonny and eleven-year-old Lucille. Fast asleep in their berths, the Downs family had no idea that two torpedoes were heading their way. When the ship exploded, chaos ensued--and each family member had to find their own path to survival." -- - Baker & Taylor
Offers a true story of men and women pitted against the sea during World War IIâand an unforgettable portrait of the determination of the human spirit. - Baker & Taylor
Reccounts the true story of how the Downs family survived the sinking of the Heredia, a merchant freighter located in the Gulf of Mexico that was torpedoed by German U-boats in in 1942. - Simon and Schuster
A true story of men and women pitted against the sea during World War II'and an unforgettable portrait of the determination of the human spirit.
On May 19, 1942 a U-boat in the Gulf of Mexico stalked its prey fifty miles away from New Orleans. Captained by 29-year-old Iron Cross and King's Cross recipient Erich Wurdemann, the submarine set its sights on the freighter Heredia with fifty-nine souls on board.
Most of the crew were merchant seamen, but there were also a handful of civilians, including the Downs family, consisting of the parents, Ray Sr. and Ina, along with their two children, eight-year-old Ray Jr., nick-named 'sonny," and eleven-year-old Lucille.
Fast asleep in their berths, the Downs family had no notice that two torpedoes were heading their way. When the ship exploded, Ina and Lucille became separated from Ray Sr. and Sonny.
An inspiring historical narrative, So Close to Home tells the story of the Downs family as they struggle against sharks, hypothermia, drowning, and dehydration in their effort to survive the aftermath of this deadly attack off the American coast. - Simon and Schuster
A true story of men and women pitted against the sea during World War II'and an unforgettable portrait of the determination of the human spirit.
On May 19, 1942 a U-boat in the Gulf of Mexico stalked its prey fifty miles away from New Orleans. Captained by 29-year-old Iron Cross and King's Cross recipient Erich Wurdemann, the submarine set its sights on the freighter Heredia with fifty-nine souls on board.
Most of the crew were merchant seamen, but there were also a handful of civilians, including the Downs family, consisting of the parents, Ray Sr. and Ina, along with their two children, eight-year-old Ray Jr., nick-named 'sonny," and eleven-year-old Lucille.
Fast asleep in their berths, the Downs family had no notice that two torpedoes were heading their way. When the ship exploded, Ina and Lucille became separated from Ray Sr. and Sonny.
An inspiring historical narrative, So Close to Home tells the story of the Downs family as they struggle against sharks, hypothermia, drowning, and dehydration in their effort to survive the aftermath of this deadly attack off the American coast. - WW Norton
A true story of men and women pitted against the sea during World War IIâand an unforgettable portrait of the determination of the human spirit. - WW Norton
HerediaIncluding original, unpublished material from Commander Wu¨rdemannâs war diary, the story provides balance and perspective by chronicling the daring mission of the U-boatâand its commanderâs decision-makingâin the Gulf of Mexico.So Close to Home
