Until the Sea Shall Free Them: Life, Death, and Survival in the Merchant Marine (Bluejacket Books)

As a young AB in the 1980's I would have, unknowingly, loved to hop on the Marine Electric. But I was unable to get a birth on a ship for various reasons. I was vaguely aware that there were changes going on in the industry, that many of the ships were old, and that there were limited births available. I just didn't know the details. And in the union halls there were so many people in line, all trying to get the same few births available, it eventually seemed futile, and I gave up the idea of going deep sea. In my youth, we thought that the crack arrestors were just normal in steel ships, not that they were added to the aged ships to save them. This, and many other details are made clear in this book. As well as the complicity of so many of the players in the system. Reading this book helped me understand those forces that so strongly influenced my life back then. Certainly there were other forces at work too, such as the offshoring of the ships flags. But for anyone who is wondering what happened to the U.S. Merchant Marine in the 1980's this book is a much read.

I worked on this ship at Jacksonville Shipyards in 1981, the last time it was dry docked. I was a young welder and the repairs we made didn't make sense. We were instructed to replace portions of beams in the ballast holds when the entire beam was rusted out and needed to be replaced. I remember hitting a cargo bulkhead with a hammer and about 5 lbs of rust scales would fall off. The deck was so thin there were holes in it and I worried that I might fall through. I knew I wouldn't go out in the St. Johns River on that rust bucket and I couldn't believe anyone in their right mind would take it out in big water. Thank you Robert for telling the story.

Let me preface this review by stating that I was an engineering officer on the Marine Electric during one of those trips to Israel that the author mentions early in the book, and I worked on a number of ships owned or operated by Marine Transport Lines. I knew many of the officers and crew on the ship, the MTL shoreside staff, as well as the people mentioned from the engineer's union. This is a wonderful book and a great read, telling quite a bit about what went on, especially with the USCG investigative board. I'd have given it a five star review except for some minor errors of fact, mostly with misspelling of names, something I'd think an author would nail down correctly prior to going to print. Those errors do not detract from the overall narrative and importance of how this tragedy left a legacy for today's U.S.-flag merchant marine.

I bought this book after the El Faro sinking as it was recommended by a friend who said it traced the investigations of a number of merchant marine losses over the years. Robert Frump is a master storyteller and the book was hard to put down. It is still early in the investigation of the El Faro but so far it appears that the problems with owners who send old ships to sea and Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping inspectors who allow them to continue to operate have not changed over the last 30 years. Read this book if you are interested in the history of US maritime disasters and the seaman who gave their lives.

I love the depth of this account of the loss of the Marine Electric. The minute by minute account of Cusick and Kelly's struggle for survival in that stormy sea is better than a 3D movie. I felt quite involved in the heroic struggles to change a failing system that kept junk ships cruising and loved how the author captured all sides to the story. And the fact that men held their ground, and moved that mountain to get safer ships for sea faring workers -- is graciously inspiring.

The author, Robert Thrump, writes compassionately of the crew of the ill-fated “SS Marine Electric” and their final voyage that ended with the deaths of all but three survivors in the winter of 1983 off the coast of Virginia. All the factors enumerated here leading up to and following the sinking, leave the reader with a staggering sense of injustice. It illuminates how the uncaring institutional and corporate entities who made the tragedy all but inevitable escaped responsibility and culpability. It also introduces the courage, faith, and tenacity of the seamen and their families who were forced to navigate through a one- sided inquiry that dragged on for years, and the true heroism of one investigator that saw the truth and sought to change the system. It is a true American story that is both awe- inspiring and cautionary for anyone who ever thought about those who spend their lives at sea.

A thrilling amount of the final hours of the merchant vessel Marine Electric. The author goes into great detail showing the lives of the men involved and points out the many mistakes that led to this tragedy. Well written and informative. A must read for all current and former merchant mariners.

A real view at sea life of a sailor im familiar with to some extent. But... The reforms and missed addressing the Jones Act that is working backwards of intention. And a similar sinking of the containers ship El Faro 5 years ago..... Frankenstein boats chopped up and welded together..... It's very far from reformed.

Compelling story of a merchant ship that capsized in 1983 resulting finally, in the scrapping of old, un-seaworthy ships. Excellent organization, great job describing the character of the central participants. Easy to follow the marine jargon and the physics of the sinking. Hard to put this book down.

I have no idea how I can sum up this story. To say it lead me through tears, laughter, anger, joy and fury would be an understatement. My level of respect for the Coast Guard, mariners, investigative reporters (ones who want the truth, not dirt) and for the families who lost their husbands, sons, uncles, and brothers has grown exponentially. Read this book and know that you have a purpose, no matter your life's circumstances.

As a young AB in the 1980's I would have, unknowingly, loved to hop on the Marine Electric. But I was unable to get a birth on a ship for various reasons. I was vaguely aware that there were changes going on in the industry, that many of the ships were old, and that there were limited births available. I just didn't know the details. And in the union halls there were so many people in line, all trying to get the same few births available, it eventually seemed futile, and I gave up the idea of going deep sea. In my youth, we thought that the crack arrestors were just normal in steel ships, not that they were added to the aged ships to save them. This, and many other details are made clear in this book. As well as the complicity of so many of the players in the system. Reading this book helped me understand those forces that so strongly influenced my life back then. Certainly there were other forces at work too, such as the offshoring of the ships flags. But for anyone who is wondering what happened to the U.S. Merchant Marine in the 1980's this book is a much read.

I worked on this ship at Jacksonville Shipyards in 1981, the last time it was dry docked. I was a young welder and the repairs we made didn't make sense. We were instructed to replace portions of beams in the ballast holds when the entire beam was rusted out and needed to be replaced. I remember hitting a cargo bulkhead with a hammer and about 5 lbs of rust scales would fall off. The deck was so thin there were holes in it and I worried that I might fall through. I knew I wouldn't go out in the St. Johns River on that rust bucket and I couldn't believe anyone in their right mind would take it out in big water. Thank you Robert for telling the story.

Let me preface this review by stating that I was an engineering officer on the Marine Electric during one of those trips to Israel that the author mentions early in the book, and I worked on a number of ships owned or operated by Marine Transport Lines. I knew many of the officers and crew on the ship, the MTL shoreside staff, as well as the people mentioned from the engineer's union. This is a wonderful book and a great read, telling quite a bit about what went on, especially with the USCG investigative board. I'd have given it a five star review except for some minor errors of fact, mostly with misspelling of names, something I'd think an author would nail down correctly prior to going to print. Those errors do not detract from the overall narrative and importance of how this tragedy left a legacy for today's U.S.-flag merchant marine.

I bought this book after the El Faro sinking as it was recommended by a friend who said it traced the investigations of a number of merchant marine losses over the years. Robert Frump is a master storyteller and the book was hard to put down. It is still early in the investigation of the El Faro but so far it appears that the problems with owners who send old ships to sea and Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping inspectors who allow them to continue to operate have not changed over the last 30 years. Read this book if you are interested in the history of US maritime disasters and the seaman who gave their lives.

I love the depth of this account of the loss of the Marine Electric. The minute by minute account of Cusick and Kelly's struggle for survival in that stormy sea is better than a 3D movie. I felt quite involved in the heroic struggles to change a failing system that kept junk ships cruising and loved how the author captured all sides to the story. And the fact that men held their ground, and moved that mountain to get safer ships for sea faring workers -- is graciously inspiring.

The author, Robert Thrump, writes compassionately of the crew of the ill-fated “SS Marine Electric” and their final voyage that ended with the deaths of all but three survivors in the winter of 1983 off the coast of Virginia. All the factors enumerated here leading up to and following the sinking, leave the reader with a staggering sense of injustice. It illuminates how the uncaring institutional and corporate entities who made the tragedy all but inevitable escaped responsibility and culpability. It also introduces the courage, faith, and tenacity of the seamen and their families who were forced to navigate through a one- sided inquiry that dragged on for years, and the true heroism of one investigator that saw the truth and sought to change the system. It is a true American story that is both awe- inspiring and cautionary for anyone who ever thought about those who spend their lives at sea.

A thrilling amount of the final hours of the merchant vessel Marine Electric. The author goes into great detail showing the lives of the men involved and points out the many mistakes that led to this tragedy. Well written and informative. A must read for all current and former merchant mariners.

A real view at sea life of a sailor im familiar with to some extent. But... The reforms and missed addressing the Jones Act that is working backwards of intention. And a similar sinking of the containers ship El Faro 5 years ago..... Frankenstein boats chopped up and welded together..... It's very far from reformed.

Compelling story of a merchant ship that capsized in 1983 resulting finally, in the scrapping of old, un-seaworthy ships. Excellent organization, great job describing the character of the central participants. Easy to follow the marine jargon and the physics of the sinking. Hard to put this book down.

I have no idea how I can sum up this story. To say it lead me through tears, laughter, anger, joy and fury would be an understatement. My level of respect for the Coast Guard, mariners, investigative reporters (ones who want the truth, not dirt) and for the families who lost their husbands, sons, uncles, and brothers has grown exponentially. Read this book and know that you have a purpose, no matter your life's circumstances.

As a young AB in the 1980's I would have, unknowingly, loved to hop on the Marine Electric. But I was unable to get a birth on a ship for various reasons. I was vaguely aware that there were changes going on in the industry, that many of the ships were old, and that there were limited births available. I just didn't know the details. And in the union halls there were so many people in line, all trying to get the same few births available, it eventually seemed futile, and I gave up the idea of going deep sea. In my youth, we thought that the crack arrestors were just normal in steel ships, not that they were added to the aged ships to save them. This, and many other details are made clear in this book. As well as the complicity of so many of the players in the system. Reading this book helped me understand those forces that so strongly influenced my life back then. Certainly there were other forces at work too, such as the offshoring of the ships flags. But for anyone who is wondering what happened to the U.S. Merchant Marine in the 1980's this book is a much read.

I worked on this ship at Jacksonville Shipyards in 1981, the last time it was dry docked. I was a young welder and the repairs we made didn't make sense. We were instructed to replace portions of beams in the ballast holds when the entire beam was rusted out and needed to be replaced. I remember hitting a cargo bulkhead with a hammer and about 5 lbs of rust scales would fall off. The deck was so thin there were holes in it and I worried that I might fall through. I knew I wouldn't go out in the St. Johns River on that rust bucket and I couldn't believe anyone in their right mind would take it out in big water. Thank you Robert for telling the story.

Let me preface this review by stating that I was an engineering officer on the Marine Electric during one of those trips to Israel that the author mentions early in the book, and I worked on a number of ships owned or operated by Marine Transport Lines. I knew many of the officers and crew on the ship, the MTL shoreside staff, as well as the people mentioned from the engineer's union. This is a wonderful book and a great read, telling quite a bit about what went on, especially with the USCG investigative board. I'd have given it a five star review except for some minor errors of fact, mostly with misspelling of names, something I'd think an author would nail down correctly prior to going to print. Those errors do not detract from the overall narrative and importance of how this tragedy left a legacy for today's U.S.-flag merchant marine.

I bought this book after the El Faro sinking as it was recommended by a friend who said it traced the investigations of a number of merchant marine losses over the years. Robert Frump is a master storyteller and the book was hard to put down. It is still early in the investigation of the El Faro but so far it appears that the problems with owners who send old ships to sea and Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping inspectors who allow them to continue to operate have not changed over the last 30 years. Read this book if you are interested in the history of US maritime disasters and the seaman who gave their lives.

I love the depth of this account of the loss of the Marine Electric. The minute by minute account of Cusick and Kelly's struggle for survival in that stormy sea is better than a 3D movie. I felt quite involved in the heroic struggles to change a failing system that kept junk ships cruising and loved how the author captured all sides to the story. And the fact that men held their ground, and moved that mountain to get safer ships for sea faring workers -- is graciously inspiring.

The author, Robert Thrump, writes compassionately of the crew of the ill-fated “SS Marine Electric” and their final voyage that ended with the deaths of all but three survivors in the winter of 1983 off the coast of Virginia. All the factors enumerated here leading up to and following the sinking, leave the reader with a staggering sense of injustice. It illuminates how the uncaring institutional and corporate entities who made the tragedy all but inevitable escaped responsibility and culpability. It also introduces the courage, faith, and tenacity of the seamen and their families who were forced to navigate through a one- sided inquiry that dragged on for years, and the true heroism of one investigator that saw the truth and sought to change the system. It is a true American story that is both awe- inspiring and cautionary for anyone who ever thought about those who spend their lives at sea.

A thrilling amount of the final hours of the merchant vessel Marine Electric. The author goes into great detail showing the lives of the men involved and points out the many mistakes that led to this tragedy. Well written and informative. A must read for all current and former merchant mariners.

A real view at sea life of a sailor im familiar with to some extent. But... The reforms and missed addressing the Jones Act that is working backwards of intention. And a similar sinking of the containers ship El Faro 5 years ago..... Frankenstein boats chopped up and welded together..... It's very far from reformed.

Compelling story of a merchant ship that capsized in 1983 resulting finally, in the scrapping of old, un-seaworthy ships. Excellent organization, great job describing the character of the central participants. Easy to follow the marine jargon and the physics of the sinking. Hard to put this book down.

I have no idea how I can sum up this story. To say it lead me through tears, laughter, anger, joy and fury would be an understatement. My level of respect for the Coast Guard, mariners, investigative reporters (ones who want the truth, not dirt) and for the families who lost their husbands, sons, uncles, and brothers has grown exponentially. Read this book and know that you have a purpose, no matter your life's circumstances.

As a young AB in the 1980's I would have, unknowingly, loved to hop on the Marine Electric. But I was unable to get a birth on a ship for various reasons. I was vaguely aware that there were changes going on in the industry, that many of the ships were old, and that there were limited births available. I just didn't know the details. And in the union halls there were so many people in line, all trying to get the same few births available, it eventually seemed futile, and I gave up the idea of going deep sea. In my youth, we thought that the crack arrestors were just normal in steel ships, not that they were added to the aged ships to save them. This, and many other details are made clear in this book. As well as the complicity of so many of the players in the system. Reading this book helped me understand those forces that so strongly influenced my life back then. Certainly there were other forces at work too, such as the offshoring of the ships flags. But for anyone who is wondering what happened to the U.S. Merchant Marine in the 1980's this book is a much read.

I worked on this ship at Jacksonville Shipyards in 1981, the last time it was dry docked. I was a young welder and the repairs we made didn't make sense. We were instructed to replace portions of beams in the ballast holds when the entire beam was rusted out and needed to be replaced. I remember hitting a cargo bulkhead with a hammer and about 5 lbs of rust scales would fall off. The deck was so thin there were holes in it and I worried that I might fall through. I knew I wouldn't go out in the St. Johns River on that rust bucket and I couldn't believe anyone in their right mind would take it out in big water. Thank you Robert for telling the story.

Let me preface this review by stating that I was an engineering officer on the Marine Electric during one of those trips to Israel that the author mentions early in the book, and I worked on a number of ships owned or operated by Marine Transport Lines. I knew many of the officers and crew on the ship, the MTL shoreside staff, as well as the people mentioned from the engineer's union. This is a wonderful book and a great read, telling quite a bit about what went on, especially with the USCG investigative board. I'd have given it a five star review except for some minor errors of fact, mostly with misspelling of names, something I'd think an author would nail down correctly prior to going to print. Those errors do not detract from the overall narrative and importance of how this tragedy left a legacy for today's U.S.-flag merchant marine.

I bought this book after the El Faro sinking as it was recommended by a friend who said it traced the investigations of a number of merchant marine losses over the years. Robert Frump is a master storyteller and the book was hard to put down. It is still early in the investigation of the El Faro but so far it appears that the problems with owners who send old ships to sea and Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping inspectors who allow them to continue to operate have not changed over the last 30 years. Read this book if you are interested in the history of US maritime disasters and the seaman who gave their lives.

I love the depth of this account of the loss of the Marine Electric. The minute by minute account of Cusick and Kelly's struggle for survival in that stormy sea is better than a 3D movie. I felt quite involved in the heroic struggles to change a failing system that kept junk ships cruising and loved how the author captured all sides to the story. And the fact that men held their ground, and moved that mountain to get safer ships for sea faring workers -- is graciously inspiring.

The author, Robert Thrump, writes compassionately of the crew of the ill-fated “SS Marine Electric” and their final voyage that ended with the deaths of all but three survivors in the winter of 1983 off the coast of Virginia. All the factors enumerated here leading up to and following the sinking, leave the reader with a staggering sense of injustice. It illuminates how the uncaring institutional and corporate entities who made the tragedy all but inevitable escaped responsibility and culpability. It also introduces the courage, faith, and tenacity of the seamen and their families who were forced to navigate through a one- sided inquiry that dragged on for years, and the true heroism of one investigator that saw the truth and sought to change the system. It is a true American story that is both awe- inspiring and cautionary for anyone who ever thought about those who spend their lives at sea.

A thrilling amount of the final hours of the merchant vessel Marine Electric. The author goes into great detail showing the lives of the men involved and points out the many mistakes that led to this tragedy. Well written and informative. A must read for all current and former merchant mariners.

A real view at sea life of a sailor im familiar with to some extent. But... The reforms and missed addressing the Jones Act that is working backwards of intention. And a similar sinking of the containers ship El Faro 5 years ago..... Frankenstein boats chopped up and welded together..... It's very far from reformed.

Compelling story of a merchant ship that capsized in 1983 resulting finally, in the scrapping of old, un-seaworthy ships. Excellent organization, great job describing the character of the central participants. Easy to follow the marine jargon and the physics of the sinking. Hard to put this book down.

I have no idea how I can sum up this story. To say it lead me through tears, laughter, anger, joy and fury would be an understatement. My level of respect for the Coast Guard, mariners, investigative reporters (ones who want the truth, not dirt) and for the families who lost their husbands, sons, uncles, and brothers has grown exponentially. Read this book and know that you have a purpose, no matter your life's circumstances.

As a young AB in the 1980's I would have, unknowingly, loved to hop on the Marine Electric. But I was unable to get a birth on a ship for various reasons. I was vaguely aware that there were changes going on in the industry, that many of the ships were old, and that there were limited births available. I just didn't know the details. And in the union halls there were so many people in line, all trying to get the same few births available, it eventually seemed futile, and I gave up the idea of going deep sea. In my youth, we thought that the crack arrestors were just normal in steel ships, not that they were added to the aged ships to save them. This, and many other details are made clear in this book. As well as the complicity of so many of the players in the system. Reading this book helped me understand those forces that so strongly influenced my life back then. Certainly there were other forces at work too, such as the offshoring of the ships flags. But for anyone who is wondering what happened to the U.S. Merchant Marine in the 1980's this book is a much read.

I worked on this ship at Jacksonville Shipyards in 1981, the last time it was dry docked. I was a young welder and the repairs we made didn't make sense. We were instructed to replace portions of beams in the ballast holds when the entire beam was rusted out and needed to be replaced. I remember hitting a cargo bulkhead with a hammer and about 5 lbs of rust scales would fall off. The deck was so thin there were holes in it and I worried that I might fall through. I knew I wouldn't go out in the St. Johns River on that rust bucket and I couldn't believe anyone in their right mind would take it out in big water. Thank you Robert for telling the story.

Let me preface this review by stating that I was an engineering officer on the Marine Electric during one of those trips to Israel that the author mentions early in the book, and I worked on a number of ships owned or operated by Marine Transport Lines. I knew many of the officers and crew on the ship, the MTL shoreside staff, as well as the people mentioned from the engineer's union. This is a wonderful book and a great read, telling quite a bit about what went on, especially with the USCG investigative board. I'd have given it a five star review except for some minor errors of fact, mostly with misspelling of names, something I'd think an author would nail down correctly prior to going to print. Those errors do not detract from the overall narrative and importance of how this tragedy left a legacy for today's U.S.-flag merchant marine.

I bought this book after the El Faro sinking as it was recommended by a friend who said it traced the investigations of a number of merchant marine losses over the years. Robert Frump is a master storyteller and the book was hard to put down. It is still early in the investigation of the El Faro but so far it appears that the problems with owners who send old ships to sea and Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping inspectors who allow them to continue to operate have not changed over the last 30 years. Read this book if you are interested in the history of US maritime disasters and the seaman who gave their lives.

I love the depth of this account of the loss of the Marine Electric. The minute by minute account of Cusick and Kelly's struggle for survival in that stormy sea is better than a 3D movie. I felt quite involved in the heroic struggles to change a failing system that kept junk ships cruising and loved how the author captured all sides to the story. And the fact that men held their ground, and moved that mountain to get safer ships for sea faring workers -- is graciously inspiring.

The author, Robert Thrump, writes compassionately of the crew of the ill-fated “SS Marine Electric” and their final voyage that ended with the deaths of all but three survivors in the winter of 1983 off the coast of Virginia. All the factors enumerated here leading up to and following the sinking, leave the reader with a staggering sense of injustice. It illuminates how the uncaring institutional and corporate entities who made the tragedy all but inevitable escaped responsibility and culpability. It also introduces the courage, faith, and tenacity of the seamen and their families who were forced to navigate through a one- sided inquiry that dragged on for years, and the true heroism of one investigator that saw the truth and sought to change the system. It is a true American story that is both awe- inspiring and cautionary for anyone who ever thought about those who spend their lives at sea.

A thrilling amount of the final hours of the merchant vessel Marine Electric. The author goes into great detail showing the lives of the men involved and points out the many mistakes that led to this tragedy. Well written and informative. A must read for all current and former merchant mariners.

A real view at sea life of a sailor im familiar with to some extent. But... The reforms and missed addressing the Jones Act that is working backwards of intention. And a similar sinking of the containers ship El Faro 5 years ago..... Frankenstein boats chopped up and welded together..... It's very far from reformed.

Compelling story of a merchant ship that capsized in 1983 resulting finally, in the scrapping of old, un-seaworthy ships. Excellent organization, great job describing the character of the central participants. Easy to follow the marine jargon and the physics of the sinking. Hard to put this book down.

I have no idea how I can sum up this story. To say it lead me through tears, laughter, anger, joy and fury would be an understatement. My level of respect for the Coast Guard, mariners, investigative reporters (ones who want the truth, not dirt) and for the families who lost their husbands, sons, uncles, and brothers has grown exponentially. Read this book and know that you have a purpose, no matter your life's circumstances.

I learned about the maritime trade, and the pitfalls of the economy that surrounded it. I learned about the back slapping way the agencies, companies, and the coast guard allowed so many things to be ignored. This book was well researched. The main rescue part of the story was small, there were a lot of rabbit trails so to speak and sometimes it was difficult to follow the timeline as the author expounded on a different point. It was interesting and worthwhile. However, it had FAR TOO MANY CURSE WORDS. I wish there was a way to block those out.

Very well written book. I knew very little about the Merchant Marine. Now I’ve caught the bug and I’m looking for other books about that subject.

In 1983, the Marine Electric sank with the loss of many lives. This is her story and how the government, shipping lines and the maritime industry colluded to keep the known to be unsafe World War II vintage T-2 cargo ships in service even though they were known to be unsafe and long past their retirement age. The story of the sinking of the Marine Electric and the story of the survivors is a gripping tale that should be read by anyone who goes to sea.

A read this book as an active Ships Captain at the time. It is a must read for any person who goes to sea. It is very insightful on the regulatory bodies that inspect commercial ship and the class society. It is chilling. The recount of the hearings is fascinating.

Well researched account of the events and aftermath of the loss of the Marine Electric. It is good to see how far we have come. It is also worth noting the eerie similarities to the recent loss of the El Faro. Both were older Jones Act vessels. Both were scheduled for replacement and making their final few runs. Both seem to have not accounted for the weather.

I originally read this book some six or seven years ago. I have always wanted to read it again and saw that it had come down in price and was avaiable on Kindle. Robert Frump tells the tale of the Marine Electric, a coal hauling ship that sinks off of Virginia back in the 1980's. Frump weaves several threads through the story and draws you into this disturbing tale about a captain that survives his ship sinking and the results. The captain of that Italian cruise ship should read this. Get it, it's a good read.

I READ THE BOOK, IT IS VERY NEAR TO MY HEART, BECAUSE ONE OF THE MEN THAT DIED ON THE SHIP, WAS MY BEST FRIEND'S FATHER. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE BOOK.

I'll skip what everyone else talked about. This is a *great* book for sailors, pilots, and anyone else concerned with transportation/industrial safety. It shows, in detail, how a system can be designed to be dangerous and yet consistently blame the victims. Oh - don't forget - it IS a great and heartbreaking story as well. I love wreck diving, but after reading this I am not sure I can dive this wreck.

I purchased this book for my father because this was about the SS Marine Electric which he worked on. He was thrilled to receive this book and said it was a good read.

⚓️ Well written book ⚓️

As a young AB in the 1980's I would have, unknowingly, loved to hop on the Marine Electric. But I was unable to get a birth on a ship for various reasons. I was vaguely aware that there were changes going on in the industry, that many of the ships were old, and that there were limited births available. I just didn't know the details. And in the union halls there were so many people in line, all trying to get the same few births available, it eventually seemed futile, and I gave up the idea of going deep sea. In my youth, we thought that the crack arrestors were just normal in steel ships, not that they were added to the aged ships to save them. This, and many other details are made clear in this book. As well as the complicity of so many of the players in the system. Reading this book helped me understand those forces that so strongly influenced my life back then. Certainly there were other forces at work too, such as the offshoring of the ships flags. But for anyone who is wondering what happened to the U.S. Merchant Marine in the 1980's this book is a much read.

I worked on this ship at Jacksonville Shipyards in 1981, the last time it was dry docked. I was a young welder and the repairs we made didn't make sense. We were instructed to replace portions of beams in the ballast holds when the entire beam was rusted out and needed to be replaced. I remember hitting a cargo bulkhead with a hammer and about 5 lbs of rust scales would fall off. The deck was so thin there were holes in it and I worried that I might fall through. I knew I wouldn't go out in the St. Johns River on that rust bucket and I couldn't believe anyone in their right mind would take it out in big water. Thank you Robert for telling the story.

Let me preface this review by stating that I was an engineering officer on the Marine Electric during one of those trips to Israel that the author mentions early in the book, and I worked on a number of ships owned or operated by Marine Transport Lines. I knew many of the officers and crew on the ship, the MTL shoreside staff, as well as the people mentioned from the engineer's union. This is a wonderful book and a great read, telling quite a bit about what went on, especially with the USCG investigative board. I'd have given it a five star review except for some minor errors of fact, mostly with misspelling of names, something I'd think an author would nail down correctly prior to going to print. Those errors do not detract from the overall narrative and importance of how this tragedy left a legacy for today's U.S.-flag merchant marine.

I bought this book after the El Faro sinking as it was recommended by a friend who said it traced the investigations of a number of merchant marine losses over the years. Robert Frump is a master storyteller and the book was hard to put down. It is still early in the investigation of the El Faro but so far it appears that the problems with owners who send old ships to sea and Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping inspectors who allow them to continue to operate have not changed over the last 30 years. Read this book if you are interested in the history of US maritime disasters and the seaman who gave their lives.

I love the depth of this account of the loss of the Marine Electric. The minute by minute account of Cusick and Kelly's struggle for survival in that stormy sea is better than a 3D movie. I felt quite involved in the heroic struggles to change a failing system that kept junk ships cruising and loved how the author captured all sides to the story. And the fact that men held their ground, and moved that mountain to get safer ships for sea faring workers -- is graciously inspiring.

The author, Robert Thrump, writes compassionately of the crew of the ill-fated “SS Marine Electric” and their final voyage that ended with the deaths of all but three survivors in the winter of 1983 off the coast of Virginia. All the factors enumerated here leading up to and following the sinking, leave the reader with a staggering sense of injustice. It illuminates how the uncaring institutional and corporate entities who made the tragedy all but inevitable escaped responsibility and culpability. It also introduces the courage, faith, and tenacity of the seamen and their families who were forced to navigate through a one- sided inquiry that dragged on for years, and the true heroism of one investigator that saw the truth and sought to change the system. It is a true American story that is both awe- inspiring and cautionary for anyone who ever thought about those who spend their lives at sea.

A thrilling amount of the final hours of the merchant vessel Marine Electric. The author goes into great detail showing the lives of the men involved and points out the many mistakes that led to this tragedy. Well written and informative. A must read for all current and former merchant mariners.

A real view at sea life of a sailor im familiar with to some extent. But... The reforms and missed addressing the Jones Act that is working backwards of intention. And a similar sinking of the containers ship El Faro 5 years ago..... Frankenstein boats chopped up and welded together..... It's very far from reformed.

Compelling story of a merchant ship that capsized in 1983 resulting finally, in the scrapping of old, un-seaworthy ships. Excellent organization, great job describing the character of the central participants. Easy to follow the marine jargon and the physics of the sinking. Hard to put this book down.

I have no idea how I can sum up this story. To say it lead me through tears, laughter, anger, joy and fury would be an understatement. My level of respect for the Coast Guard, mariners, investigative reporters (ones who want the truth, not dirt) and for the families who lost their husbands, sons, uncles, and brothers has grown exponentially. Read this book and know that you have a purpose, no matter your life's circumstances.

Fascinating as well as informative account of the sinking of the Marine Electric, the factors contributing to the tragedy and its important consequences for the marine industry.

After reading this i'm amazed I survived many trips on old T-2 ships in the 1970's. Many were across the North Atlantic in the winter. From a marine engineering perspective it needs some editing but a good read none-the-less.

This book clearly shows how slow change happens when profit is at stake, even at the risk of human life. This book gives a face and heart to those who are at risk. The families cry out for a justice that often never comes. This was a most enlightening book about a subject of which I knew almost nothing. So glad I read it!

I found this story to be very informative. A previous reviewer has commented on the lack of charts and pictures. This I agree with. If nothing else, the author could have included a General Arrangement plan and press released pictures of the survivors, USCG personnel involved and the like. Having said this, much info is available on the net including the USCG report and newspaper reports.

A book I bought for my Father for Christmas. Read the book before I sent and this book opened my eyes even more as to what these wonderful unsung hero's went through without any Thanks or Support for us or the Government.

I was in Baltimore when the Marine Electric went down. I could relate as I had 33 years in the USMM. A good read.

..when this happened, often on older ships until I earned my 3rd Mate license. I had no idea about the rest of the story...

This book should be a must read for all mariners. Se what it might take to survive the Maritime Industry

It was a true story and very well written--just technical enough. A friend is related to one of the men in the story. I read it on my iPad and purchased the book for my brother who just retired after 34 years in the Navy.

It's an excellent "read" particularly for a former Merchant Mariner.I'm extremely impressed by the author's grasp of this and other casualties. It is one of the best non-fiction books that I've ever read.

As a young AB in the 1980's I would have, unknowingly, loved to hop on the Marine Electric. But I was unable to get a birth on a ship for various reasons. I was vaguely aware that there were changes going on in the industry, that many of the ships were old, and that there were limited births available. I just didn't know the details. And in the union halls there were so many people in line, all trying to get the same few births available, it eventually seemed futile, and I gave up the idea of going deep sea. In my youth, we thought that the crack arrestors were just normal in steel ships, not that they were added to the aged ships to save them. This, and many other details are made clear in this book. As well as the complicity of so many of the players in the system. Reading this book helped me understand those forces that so strongly influenced my life back then. Certainly there were other forces at work too, such as the offshoring of the ships flags. But for anyone who is wondering what happened to the U.S. Merchant Marine in the 1980's this book is a much read.

I worked on this ship at Jacksonville Shipyards in 1981, the last time it was dry docked. I was a young welder and the repairs we made didn't make sense. We were instructed to replace portions of beams in the ballast holds when the entire beam was rusted out and needed to be replaced. I remember hitting a cargo bulkhead with a hammer and about 5 lbs of rust scales would fall off. The deck was so thin there were holes in it and I worried that I might fall through. I knew I wouldn't go out in the St. Johns River on that rust bucket and I couldn't believe anyone in their right mind would take it out in big water. Thank you Robert for telling the story.

Let me preface this review by stating that I was an engineering officer on the Marine Electric during one of those trips to Israel that the author mentions early in the book, and I worked on a number of ships owned or operated by Marine Transport Lines. I knew many of the officers and crew on the ship, the MTL shoreside staff, as well as the people mentioned from the engineer's union. This is a wonderful book and a great read, telling quite a bit about what went on, especially with the USCG investigative board. I'd have given it a five star review except for some minor errors of fact, mostly with misspelling of names, something I'd think an author would nail down correctly prior to going to print. Those errors do not detract from the overall narrative and importance of how this tragedy left a legacy for today's U.S.-flag merchant marine.

I bought this book after the El Faro sinking as it was recommended by a friend who said it traced the investigations of a number of merchant marine losses over the years. Robert Frump is a master storyteller and the book was hard to put down. It is still early in the investigation of the El Faro but so far it appears that the problems with owners who send old ships to sea and Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping inspectors who allow them to continue to operate have not changed over the last 30 years. Read this book if you are interested in the history of US maritime disasters and the seaman who gave their lives.

I love the depth of this account of the loss of the Marine Electric. The minute by minute account of Cusick and Kelly's struggle for survival in that stormy sea is better than a 3D movie. I felt quite involved in the heroic struggles to change a failing system that kept junk ships cruising and loved how the author captured all sides to the story. And the fact that men held their ground, and moved that mountain to get safer ships for sea faring workers -- is graciously inspiring.

The author, Robert Thrump, writes compassionately of the crew of the ill-fated “SS Marine Electric” and their final voyage that ended with the deaths of all but three survivors in the winter of 1983 off the coast of Virginia. All the factors enumerated here leading up to and following the sinking, leave the reader with a staggering sense of injustice. It illuminates how the uncaring institutional and corporate entities who made the tragedy all but inevitable escaped responsibility and culpability. It also introduces the courage, faith, and tenacity of the seamen and their families who were forced to navigate through a one- sided inquiry that dragged on for years, and the true heroism of one investigator that saw the truth and sought to change the system. It is a true American story that is both awe- inspiring and cautionary for anyone who ever thought about those who spend their lives at sea.

A thrilling amount of the final hours of the merchant vessel Marine Electric. The author goes into great detail showing the lives of the men involved and points out the many mistakes that led to this tragedy. Well written and informative. A must read for all current and former merchant mariners.

A real view at sea life of a sailor im familiar with to some extent. But... The reforms and missed addressing the Jones Act that is working backwards of intention. And a similar sinking of the containers ship El Faro 5 years ago..... Frankenstein boats chopped up and welded together..... It's very far from reformed.

Compelling story of a merchant ship that capsized in 1983 resulting finally, in the scrapping of old, un-seaworthy ships. Excellent organization, great job describing the character of the central participants. Easy to follow the marine jargon and the physics of the sinking. Hard to put this book down.

I have no idea how I can sum up this story. To say it lead me through tears, laughter, anger, joy and fury would be an understatement. My level of respect for the Coast Guard, mariners, investigative reporters (ones who want the truth, not dirt) and for the families who lost their husbands, sons, uncles, and brothers has grown exponentially. Read this book and know that you have a purpose, no matter your life's circumstances.

If you go to sea, you must read this book. If your husband or son or someone you love goes to sea, you should read this book. I went out and bought a new coat.

Good book

A gripping narrative of one of the least understood occupations, merchant marines. I could not put it down and sometimes daydream about factual episodes that were well told and haunting.

A sad but amazing story.

This is not just the story of a tragic ship sinking, it's also the story of why your current organization is so fouled up. Ever wonder why your boss, your company, or even your government fails so often? People are incompetent. This book helped me come to grips with my past employer. Yes, my leaders ignored many safety protocols but at least they didn't get me killed.....so far! Reading this book will help you understand people.

I absolutely LOVED this book - so poignant, well written, moving without being over dramatic - a wonderful story to tell, and really a page turner. So glad I read it.

The story told here should be read by every Coastguardsmen, Class Surveyor, and Merchant Marine. I have read this book twice now and highly encourage people I work with read it before inspecting ships as a qualified Marine Inspector. Well written!

A well written and important look at the Marine Electric catastrophe.... highly recommended.

I love it, as a Merchant Marine oficcer, as a reader of marine literature, for so many reasons, this book is great.

The first half of the book is essentially a straight retelling of the sinking of the Marine Electric. This is well written and a page turner. Frump also gives detailed accounts of several other modern maritime disasters. The second half of the book however is a rambling, disjointed account of the judicial proceedings that followed the disaster and the lives of the sailors' surviving kin. The whole time I was reading it I was waiting for the other shoe to drop, I thought there would be a huge revelation of some kind. But I suspect it's really just a concatenation of the articles written for the Philadelphia Inquirer in the early 1980s, when they too were looking for a big revelation that never really came. Read the first half of the book for the story of the ship, then read the Wikipedia article for a summary of what happened later.

As a young AB in the 1980's I would have, unknowingly, loved to hop on the Marine Electric. But I was unable to get a birth on a ship for various reasons. I was vaguely aware that there were changes going on in the industry, that many of the ships were old, and that there were limited births available. I just didn't know the details. And in the union halls there were so many people in line, all trying to get the same few births available, it eventually seemed futile, and I gave up the idea of going deep sea. In my youth, we thought that the crack arrestors were just normal in steel ships, not that they were added to the aged ships to save them. This, and many other details are made clear in this book. As well as the complicity of so many of the players in the system. Reading this book helped me understand those forces that so strongly influenced my life back then. Certainly there were other forces at work too, such as the offshoring of the ships flags. But for anyone who is wondering what happened to the U.S. Merchant Marine in the 1980's this book is a much read.

I worked on this ship at Jacksonville Shipyards in 1981, the last time it was dry docked. I was a young welder and the repairs we made didn't make sense. We were instructed to replace portions of beams in the ballast holds when the entire beam was rusted out and needed to be replaced. I remember hitting a cargo bulkhead with a hammer and about 5 lbs of rust scales would fall off. The deck was so thin there were holes in it and I worried that I might fall through. I knew I wouldn't go out in the St. Johns River on that rust bucket and I couldn't believe anyone in their right mind would take it out in big water. Thank you Robert for telling the story.

Let me preface this review by stating that I was an engineering officer on the Marine Electric during one of those trips to Israel that the author mentions early in the book, and I worked on a number of ships owned or operated by Marine Transport Lines. I knew many of the officers and crew on the ship, the MTL shoreside staff, as well as the people mentioned from the engineer's union. This is a wonderful book and a great read, telling quite a bit about what went on, especially with the USCG investigative board. I'd have given it a five star review except for some minor errors of fact, mostly with misspelling of names, something I'd think an author would nail down correctly prior to going to print. Those errors do not detract from the overall narrative and importance of how this tragedy left a legacy for today's U.S.-flag merchant marine.

I bought this book after the El Faro sinking as it was recommended by a friend who said it traced the investigations of a number of merchant marine losses over the years. Robert Frump is a master storyteller and the book was hard to put down. It is still early in the investigation of the El Faro but so far it appears that the problems with owners who send old ships to sea and Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping inspectors who allow them to continue to operate have not changed over the last 30 years. Read this book if you are interested in the history of US maritime disasters and the seaman who gave their lives.

I love the depth of this account of the loss of the Marine Electric. The minute by minute account of Cusick and Kelly's struggle for survival in that stormy sea is better than a 3D movie. I felt quite involved in the heroic struggles to change a failing system that kept junk ships cruising and loved how the author captured all sides to the story. And the fact that men held their ground, and moved that mountain to get safer ships for sea faring workers -- is graciously inspiring.

The author, Robert Thrump, writes compassionately of the crew of the ill-fated “SS Marine Electric” and their final voyage that ended with the deaths of all but three survivors in the winter of 1983 off the coast of Virginia. All the factors enumerated here leading up to and following the sinking, leave the reader with a staggering sense of injustice. It illuminates how the uncaring institutional and corporate entities who made the tragedy all but inevitable escaped responsibility and culpability. It also introduces the courage, faith, and tenacity of the seamen and their families who were forced to navigate through a one- sided inquiry that dragged on for years, and the true heroism of one investigator that saw the truth and sought to change the system. It is a true American story that is both awe- inspiring and cautionary for anyone who ever thought about those who spend their lives at sea.

A thrilling amount of the final hours of the merchant vessel Marine Electric. The author goes into great detail showing the lives of the men involved and points out the many mistakes that led to this tragedy. Well written and informative. A must read for all current and former merchant mariners.

A real view at sea life of a sailor im familiar with to some extent. But... The reforms and missed addressing the Jones Act that is working backwards of intention. And a similar sinking of the containers ship El Faro 5 years ago..... Frankenstein boats chopped up and welded together..... It's very far from reformed.

Compelling story of a merchant ship that capsized in 1983 resulting finally, in the scrapping of old, un-seaworthy ships. Excellent organization, great job describing the character of the central participants. Easy to follow the marine jargon and the physics of the sinking. Hard to put this book down.

I have no idea how I can sum up this story. To say it lead me through tears, laughter, anger, joy and fury would be an understatement. My level of respect for the Coast Guard, mariners, investigative reporters (ones who want the truth, not dirt) and for the families who lost their husbands, sons, uncles, and brothers has grown exponentially. Read this book and know that you have a purpose, no matter your life's circumstances.

I loved this book. But then I am an ex-navy officer who enjoyed going to sea (not the military part, tho) and it turned out I had a distant connection to the author so I may have been biased. But still I can recommend it highly to anyone who enjoys a good adventure story.

Real true story (haven't finished it yet)

Good read

This book did not get the recognition it deserved. Should be required reading for anyone who goes to sea.

Superb! Excellent recounting of a terrible tragedy that should be mandatory reading for everyone.

excellent! a watershed for maritime safety in America.

This book was purchased as a gift for my son. He is a merchant marine, and currently out on a voyage. This book will be something for him to enjoy when he returns.

Be advised, believe it or not, this book is ALL text. There are absolutely NO photos, maps, charts, or drawings. How can you possibly tell the story of a ship sinking with nothing but text? The Marine Electric had a fascinating history as a WW2 T-2 tanker that was converted into a bulk freighter. Where are the builder's photos? WW2 era shots? Conversion diagrams or plans? The navigation charts showing the wreck site? This book was obviously written by an amateur, you can tell by the rambling, over the top prose, lengthy, asides that distract from the story line, and the lack of willingness to research and pay for photos and other visual aids. The book is written for someone unfamiliar with ships and the sea since it goes into explanations of the simplest marine terms that most people interested in reading the book would already know. $24.95 brand new? I don't think so Tim. Buy it used and don't pay more than $7.00 with shipping. I bought it sight unseen, what a dissapointment!

I have 100 pages left to go, and I am so impressed with this book. This isn't the type of book that would normally pique my interest, but after recently visiting the Chincoteague Island Waterman's Memorial, where we vacation regularly, I have been thirsting for more information about the Marine Electric. Frump tells the story in just the right amount of detail. The story is factual and emotional with character development and background stories about other sea tragedies that set the stage for what happened to the Marine Electric and the changes that were made in the aftermath. Highly recommend, every page has held my interest.

As a Coast Guard pilot who saw Marine Electric briefly while delivering pumps to the fishing vessel Theodora, I can attest that this is a great overview of that needless tragedy. It was great to hear the "rest of the story," and learn about the families of those who made it and those who didn't. One good outcome was development of the CG Rescue Swimmer program, which has saved thousands of lives since its inception in the wake of this sinking, and improved merchant vessel safety across the US fleet.

As a young AB in the 1980's I would have, unknowingly, loved to hop on the Marine Electric. But I was unable to get a birth on a ship for various reasons. I was vaguely aware that there were changes going on in the industry, that many of the ships were old, and that there were limited births available. I just didn't know the details. And in the union halls there were so many people in line, all trying to get the same few births available, it eventually seemed futile, and I gave up the idea of going deep sea. In my youth, we thought that the crack arrestors were just normal in steel ships, not that they were added to the aged ships to save them. This, and many other details are made clear in this book. As well as the complicity of so many of the players in the system. Reading this book helped me understand those forces that so strongly influenced my life back then. Certainly there were other forces at work too, such as the offshoring of the ships flags. But for anyone who is wondering what happened to the U.S. Merchant Marine in the 1980's this book is a much read.

I worked on this ship at Jacksonville Shipyards in 1981, the last time it was dry docked. I was a young welder and the repairs we made didn't make sense. We were instructed to replace portions of beams in the ballast holds when the entire beam was rusted out and needed to be replaced. I remember hitting a cargo bulkhead with a hammer and about 5 lbs of rust scales would fall off. The deck was so thin there were holes in it and I worried that I might fall through. I knew I wouldn't go out in the St. Johns River on that rust bucket and I couldn't believe anyone in their right mind would take it out in big water. Thank you Robert for telling the story.

Let me preface this review by stating that I was an engineering officer on the Marine Electric during one of those trips to Israel that the author mentions early in the book, and I worked on a number of ships owned or operated by Marine Transport Lines. I knew many of the officers and crew on the ship, the MTL shoreside staff, as well as the people mentioned from the engineer's union. This is a wonderful book and a great read, telling quite a bit about what went on, especially with the USCG investigative board. I'd have given it a five star review except for some minor errors of fact, mostly with misspelling of names, something I'd think an author would nail down correctly prior to going to print. Those errors do not detract from the overall narrative and importance of how this tragedy left a legacy for today's U.S.-flag merchant marine.

I bought this book after the El Faro sinking as it was recommended by a friend who said it traced the investigations of a number of merchant marine losses over the years. Robert Frump is a master storyteller and the book was hard to put down. It is still early in the investigation of the El Faro but so far it appears that the problems with owners who send old ships to sea and Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping inspectors who allow them to continue to operate have not changed over the last 30 years. Read this book if you are interested in the history of US maritime disasters and the seaman who gave their lives.

I love the depth of this account of the loss of the Marine Electric. The minute by minute account of Cusick and Kelly's struggle for survival in that stormy sea is better than a 3D movie. I felt quite involved in the heroic struggles to change a failing system that kept junk ships cruising and loved how the author captured all sides to the story. And the fact that men held their ground, and moved that mountain to get safer ships for sea faring workers -- is graciously inspiring.

The author, Robert Thrump, writes compassionately of the crew of the ill-fated “SS Marine Electric” and their final voyage that ended with the deaths of all but three survivors in the winter of 1983 off the coast of Virginia. All the factors enumerated here leading up to and following the sinking, leave the reader with a staggering sense of injustice. It illuminates how the uncaring institutional and corporate entities who made the tragedy all but inevitable escaped responsibility and culpability. It also introduces the courage, faith, and tenacity of the seamen and their families who were forced to navigate through a one- sided inquiry that dragged on for years, and the true heroism of one investigator that saw the truth and sought to change the system. It is a true American story that is both awe- inspiring and cautionary for anyone who ever thought about those who spend their lives at sea.

A thrilling amount of the final hours of the merchant vessel Marine Electric. The author goes into great detail showing the lives of the men involved and points out the many mistakes that led to this tragedy. Well written and informative. A must read for all current and former merchant mariners.

A real view at sea life of a sailor im familiar with to some extent. But... The reforms and missed addressing the Jones Act that is working backwards of intention. And a similar sinking of the containers ship El Faro 5 years ago..... Frankenstein boats chopped up and welded together..... It's very far from reformed.

Compelling story of a merchant ship that capsized in 1983 resulting finally, in the scrapping of old, un-seaworthy ships. Excellent organization, great job describing the character of the central participants. Easy to follow the marine jargon and the physics of the sinking. Hard to put this book down.

I have no idea how I can sum up this story. To say it lead me through tears, laughter, anger, joy and fury would be an understatement. My level of respect for the Coast Guard, mariners, investigative reporters (ones who want the truth, not dirt) and for the families who lost their husbands, sons, uncles, and brothers has grown exponentially. Read this book and know that you have a purpose, no matter your life's circumstances.

Interesting that another reviewer commented on the abundance of curse words - I didn't notice any at all, but maybe I'm jaded. Regardless, this was a very good book about a maritime disaster that had a major impact on the industry. The writing was excellent, even lyrical at times, but the editing was surprisingly bad. On a number of occasions, I read a passage that sounded suspiciously familiar, then thumbed through previous chapters to find identical sentences/paragraphs. The book could also get a little wordy and turgid,but again I attribute this to poor editing; the writer is clearly talented and it was a very good story. I recommend this book highly.

This is a very well written book. From the first page to the last it was engaging which is not always the case with nonfiction. I write for a merchant Marine digital magazine, Out2Sea. I rely heavily in books such as this to help me connect with the stories, history and issues that impact merchant mariners. Over the course of the book many issues were highlighted and while some have been addressed with friends while others are still a challenge. I am saddened that so many lives were lost before the needle moved. I recently added it to an article I wrote on the top 10 books on marine history. That's how strongly I feel about it's value.

I bought this book pretty much at random, as I needed something to read while waiting someplace. Wow! It drew me in within the first two pages, and was compelling enough that I had to just power thru and finish it. This book has everything - - cliffhanging action, rollercoaster emotion, heroes, and villains. I'm really surprised that it hasn't been made into a movie, and isn't completely famous. If you are even remotely interested in the topic, read this book, you won't regret it.

"Until the Sea Shall Free Them" is another in the recent glut of books about nautical disasters that takes the genre one step further by documentating the legal aftermath that resulted in a substantial improvement in maritime safety. Author Robert Frump was the leader of the investigative reporting team from the Philadelphia Enquirer that pursued the larger story behind the February 1983 sinking of the merchant marine vessel Marine Electric. What they found was a civilian service plagued by reliance on ancient rustbucket ships, adherence to the corporate bottom line at the expense of safety, and an inspection system beholden to ship owners that ignored these problems. The first third of the narrative deals with the sinking of the Marine Electric and the harrowing rescue effort that managed to save only three of the 37 crew members. Most of the remaining two-thirds of the book documents the legal wrangling, political manuvering and Enquirer media pressure that ultimately led to reforms in the system. Several heros emerge along the way, including survivor Bob Cusuik, who risked his career to tell the truth, and Coast Guard Officer Dom Calicchio, who bucked the military bureaucracy to his own detriment. Additionally, the author documents his and his colleague's role without overstating it. He also includes tales of other nautical disasters to serve as a backdrop to the main narrative. The story might lack the concise punch of a book like "The Perfect Storm," but it is still highly readable. Overall, this is an excellent true nautical disaster tale that will be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys such stories.

Predictably THE PERFECT STORM has generated a whole industry of wannabes, and while this book clearly lodges in that category it is still a story worth being told. Other reviewers have already said what that story is, I am afraid that I have to agree with the Publisher's Weekly review regarding the style: "purple prose" is about it. This is NOT "investigative Journalism" & to be honest I don't know how to characterize the mixture of fact & projected personality that the book serves up. From the title on in Frump seems hell-bent on giving us the most melodramatic spin on whatever is going on, whether it is the post-Junger-obligatory "This is how it feels to die of (fill in the blank)" page or the court-room scenes, where his characterizations were downright embarassing. All that being said, I finished the book in three sittings & came away sadder, a little wiser, and with a bunch of questions for my ex-Coast-Guard Father in Law. Frump is doing a major service by drawing our attention to an on-going "crime-of-omission" that has been going on far too long. My advice would be to skim over the bits where he trys to get too "up close & personal" and concentrate on the larger story, which is in desperate need of telling & re-telling. Frump's attempt to end on a positive note is unfortunately undermined by breaking news. The author leaves us thinking that well, at least many of the outdated ships that he is writing about have now been scrapped. Rather, it would seem that they simply moved off-shore, as the break-up of a 26 year old tanker off the coast of Spain earlier this week can only highlight. Fortunately in that case the crew were saved, but the environmental disaster will go on and on....

Mr Trump has written a gripping account of a significant American maritime disaster and it's aftermath. The reader is on the bridge of the ship, in the water, in the homes of the families and in the courtroom.

Robert Frump who with Tim Dwyer wrote an award wining series of articles entitled "Death Ships" about the American Merchant Marine and specifically the loss of the MARINE ELECTRIC for the "Philadelphia Inquirer" in 1983 has completed the story in his just published book "Until the Sea Shall Free Them - Life, Death, and Survival in the Merchant Marine." This book is a must read for anyone interested in marine safety, and should be required reading for every Coast Guard cadet, officer (including the Commandant), inspector, investigator - anyone responsible for the safety of life and property at sea. While the book is specifically about the loss of the MARINE ELECTRIC off the Virginia Capes in February 1983 and the survival of just three crewmembers it is more importantly the story of how 'the system' permitted an obviously unseaworthy vessel to go to sea and take the lives of 31 merchant mariners, including one young cadet who was just learning his way around the engine room. But there are heroes in this story - including the author himself who persevered to write this book. Chief mate Bob Cusick who decide that the truth would set him free and told it. And Coast Guard Captain Dom Calicchio who as a member of the Marine Board was determined to discover what really happened and why. And Navy rescue swimmers Jim McCann who when beyond exhaustion went back and back into turbulent seas to rescue or recover the ill-fated crewmembers. (As a result of this casualty Congress required the Coast Guard to establish its own rescue swimmer program, and required immersion suits (called exposure suits in the original legislation) on all vessels operating on cold waters regardless of whether they had covered lifeboats. The Marine Board's report on the loss of the MARINE ELECTRIC is the finest casualty report I have every read. But the book gives a behind the scenes look at what was going through the minds of the players. Enough said. Read the book.

Robert Frump's book is a fascinating, true story that reads like a gripping piece of fiction. It's half sea story, half courtroom-type drama and all page-turner. It's the tale of a part of American life most people know nothing about, including too many journalists and book reviewers: a saga of 1980s merchant seamen hungry for jobs, of a substandard ship that capsized in the winter sea and killed most of its crew, and of an investigation that would have quietly sunk, too, except for the courage of one of the survivors and a determined Coast Guard officer. Frump was the lead reporter on a Philadelphia Inquirer team that probed the sinking and the broader system in which it took place. His passion for the subject, even 20 years later, is evident. So, too, is the depth of his research, from details of the sinking to simple things like the feel of a ship's bridge at night. "Until the Sea Shall Free Them" is well worth a read, whether or not you're a sea-saga aficionado. I covered the maritime industry for a business newspaper and worked in a port trade association for a number of years, and I thoroughly enjoyed the book. My wife, whose tastes run to classics and mysteries, was equally enthralled. Read it.

The story itself is a good one and deserves a good telling. As a merchant mariner myself, this hits home. But what drives me crazy is the sentence structure: All through the book a lot of them are short. Very short. One word. Two words. Sometimes three words. Many are like this. Here's a sample from the book: "The regular rhythms of a ship. The regular sounds. But now at a frantic, panicked beat. Double time. Triple time. Price, the defensive lineman. They said he was fast. All of you down there, Kelly thought. Run. Run fast. No time. No time. There was no time." And so it goes, on every page. It's really hard to get into it. Good luck. I mean it.

Excellent book from start to finish.

As a young AB in the 1980's I would have, unknowingly, loved to hop on the Marine Electric. But I was unable to get a birth on a ship for various reasons. I was vaguely aware that there were changes going on in the industry, that many of the ships were old, and that there were limited births available. I just didn't know the details. And in the union halls there were so many people in line, all trying to get the same few births available, it eventually seemed futile, and I gave up the idea of going deep sea. In my youth, we thought that the crack arrestors were just normal in steel ships, not that they were added to the aged ships to save them. This, and many other details are made clear in this book. As well as the complicity of so many of the players in the system. Reading this book helped me understand those forces that so strongly influenced my life back then. Certainly there were other forces at work too, such as the offshoring of the ships flags. But for anyone who is wondering what happened to the U.S. Merchant Marine in the 1980's this book is a much read.

I worked on this ship at Jacksonville Shipyards in 1981, the last time it was dry docked. I was a young welder and the repairs we made didn't make sense. We were instructed to replace portions of beams in the ballast holds when the entire beam was rusted out and needed to be replaced. I remember hitting a cargo bulkhead with a hammer and about 5 lbs of rust scales would fall off. The deck was so thin there were holes in it and I worried that I might fall through. I knew I wouldn't go out in the St. Johns River on that rust bucket and I couldn't believe anyone in their right mind would take it out in big water. Thank you Robert for telling the story.

Let me preface this review by stating that I was an engineering officer on the Marine Electric during one of those trips to Israel that the author mentions early in the book, and I worked on a number of ships owned or operated by Marine Transport Lines. I knew many of the officers and crew on the ship, the MTL shoreside staff, as well as the people mentioned from the engineer's union. This is a wonderful book and a great read, telling quite a bit about what went on, especially with the USCG investigative board. I'd have given it a five star review except for some minor errors of fact, mostly with misspelling of names, something I'd think an author would nail down correctly prior to going to print. Those errors do not detract from the overall narrative and importance of how this tragedy left a legacy for today's U.S.-flag merchant marine.

I bought this book after the El Faro sinking as it was recommended by a friend who said it traced the investigations of a number of merchant marine losses over the years. Robert Frump is a master storyteller and the book was hard to put down. It is still early in the investigation of the El Faro but so far it appears that the problems with owners who send old ships to sea and Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping inspectors who allow them to continue to operate have not changed over the last 30 years. Read this book if you are interested in the history of US maritime disasters and the seaman who gave their lives.

I love the depth of this account of the loss of the Marine Electric. The minute by minute account of Cusick and Kelly's struggle for survival in that stormy sea is better than a 3D movie. I felt quite involved in the heroic struggles to change a failing system that kept junk ships cruising and loved how the author captured all sides to the story. And the fact that men held their ground, and moved that mountain to get safer ships for sea faring workers -- is graciously inspiring.

The author, Robert Thrump, writes compassionately of the crew of the ill-fated “SS Marine Electric” and their final voyage that ended with the deaths of all but three survivors in the winter of 1983 off the coast of Virginia. All the factors enumerated here leading up to and following the sinking, leave the reader with a staggering sense of injustice. It illuminates how the uncaring institutional and corporate entities who made the tragedy all but inevitable escaped responsibility and culpability. It also introduces the courage, faith, and tenacity of the seamen and their families who were forced to navigate through a one- sided inquiry that dragged on for years, and the true heroism of one investigator that saw the truth and sought to change the system. It is a true American story that is both awe- inspiring and cautionary for anyone who ever thought about those who spend their lives at sea.

A thrilling amount of the final hours of the merchant vessel Marine Electric. The author goes into great detail showing the lives of the men involved and points out the many mistakes that led to this tragedy. Well written and informative. A must read for all current and former merchant mariners.

A real view at sea life of a sailor im familiar with to some extent. But... The reforms and missed addressing the Jones Act that is working backwards of intention. And a similar sinking of the containers ship El Faro 5 years ago..... Frankenstein boats chopped up and welded together..... It's very far from reformed.

Compelling story of a merchant ship that capsized in 1983 resulting finally, in the scrapping of old, un-seaworthy ships. Excellent organization, great job describing the character of the central participants. Easy to follow the marine jargon and the physics of the sinking. Hard to put this book down.

I have no idea how I can sum up this story. To say it lead me through tears, laughter, anger, joy and fury would be an understatement. My level of respect for the Coast Guard, mariners, investigative reporters (ones who want the truth, not dirt) and for the families who lost their husbands, sons, uncles, and brothers has grown exponentially. Read this book and know that you have a purpose, no matter your life's circumstances.

That's how the Boston Globe reviewed this book and being a fan of both genres, I had to read it. Let me say I wasn't disappointed; "Until the Sea Shall Free Them" is an exciting, engrossing, tragic, and ultimately uplifting story of personal courage in the face of mind-boggling bureaucratic policy. The action is immediate, the characters are fleshed out, and the courtroom drama is never boring. Nevermind the Publishers Weekly review -- which makes me wonder if we read the same book. I encourage you to read "Until the Sea Shall Free Them" if a well-written story comprised of investigative journalism, survival at sea, courtroom shenanigans, and underdogs taking on and trumping 'The System' is your cup of tea.

I received the book on Friday in the 4pm mail. Finished it on Saturday, 4 pm. In between I kept stealing time to relish the quick pace of "Until the Sea Shall Free Them." Frump knows his stuff, but doesn't bog the book down with insider jargon. This is journalism, not academia, and it reads like a novel. Too bad the owners of the Marine Electric and the Coast Guard bigwigs wouldn't talk - the lawsuits are all settled and the book would have benefited from their insights. But after reading the book, you won't doubt that this is a ship, like so many other rust buckets, that simply should not go to sea. Thanks in large part to this kind of excellent journalism, they won't, and lives will be saved as a result.

A great read that provides a first-person accounting of the sinking of the Marine Electric, as well as the historical background on the events that led up to and contributed to the tragedy.

Robert Frump did an amazing job writing this book. My father was on this ship at the time of the sinking and was lost at sea. Very accurate account of that tragedy.

This book was recommended to me by a friend in the Merchant Marines, and it was an eye opening story on how reform came to be on commercial ships. It was interesting even for someone who like's their feet firmly planted on land, with love, action, heroism, and truth to make this story a page turner.

A must read for anyone, and their love ones, who goes to sea for a living. Mr. Fumpt writes about an event in maritime history which outcome caused better safety standards that has saved lives every since.

My grandfather went down with the Marine Electric, the ship this book is about. Given the recent events in my life, I've been almost obsessed with learning everything I can about him and his death. I'm both amazed and heartbroken at the events but thankful so many laws have changed because of it.

Through his in-depth research and wonderful writing style (ignore the "overblown" PW review), Mr. Frump brings these men back from the deep and tells their story. I bought this book after seeing him profiled on the History Channel and found his book much more engaging than the TV documentary. I recomend without reservation.

Good book.

As a young AB in the 1980's I would have, unknowingly, loved to hop on the Marine Electric. But I was unable to get a birth on a ship for various reasons. I was vaguely aware that there were changes going on in the industry, that many of the ships were old, and that there were limited births available. I just didn't know the details. And in the union halls there were so many people in line, all trying to get the same few births available, it eventually seemed futile, and I gave up the idea of going deep sea. In my youth, we thought that the crack arrestors were just normal in steel ships, not that they were added to the aged ships to save them. This, and many other details are made clear in this book. As well as the complicity of so many of the players in the system. Reading this book helped me understand those forces that so strongly influenced my life back then. Certainly there were other forces at work too, such as the offshoring of the ships flags. But for anyone who is wondering what happened to the U.S. Merchant Marine in the 1980's this book is a much read.

I worked on this ship at Jacksonville Shipyards in 1981, the last time it was dry docked. I was a young welder and the repairs we made didn't make sense. We were instructed to replace portions of beams in the ballast holds when the entire beam was rusted out and needed to be replaced. I remember hitting a cargo bulkhead with a hammer and about 5 lbs of rust scales would fall off. The deck was so thin there were holes in it and I worried that I might fall through. I knew I wouldn't go out in the St. Johns River on that rust bucket and I couldn't believe anyone in their right mind would take it out in big water. Thank you Robert for telling the story.

Let me preface this review by stating that I was an engineering officer on the Marine Electric during one of those trips to Israel that the author mentions early in the book, and I worked on a number of ships owned or operated by Marine Transport Lines. I knew many of the officers and crew on the ship, the MTL shoreside staff, as well as the people mentioned from the engineer's union. This is a wonderful book and a great read, telling quite a bit about what went on, especially with the USCG investigative board. I'd have given it a five star review except for some minor errors of fact, mostly with misspelling of names, something I'd think an author would nail down correctly prior to going to print. Those errors do not detract from the overall narrative and importance of how this tragedy left a legacy for today's U.S.-flag merchant marine.

I bought this book after the El Faro sinking as it was recommended by a friend who said it traced the investigations of a number of merchant marine losses over the years. Robert Frump is a master storyteller and the book was hard to put down. It is still early in the investigation of the El Faro but so far it appears that the problems with owners who send old ships to sea and Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping inspectors who allow them to continue to operate have not changed over the last 30 years. Read this book if you are interested in the history of US maritime disasters and the seaman who gave their lives.

I love the depth of this account of the loss of the Marine Electric. The minute by minute account of Cusick and Kelly's struggle for survival in that stormy sea is better than a 3D movie. I felt quite involved in the heroic struggles to change a failing system that kept junk ships cruising and loved how the author captured all sides to the story. And the fact that men held their ground, and moved that mountain to get safer ships for sea faring workers -- is graciously inspiring.

The author, Robert Thrump, writes compassionately of the crew of the ill-fated “SS Marine Electric” and their final voyage that ended with the deaths of all but three survivors in the winter of 1983 off the coast of Virginia. All the factors enumerated here leading up to and following the sinking, leave the reader with a staggering sense of injustice. It illuminates how the uncaring institutional and corporate entities who made the tragedy all but inevitable escaped responsibility and culpability. It also introduces the courage, faith, and tenacity of the seamen and their families who were forced to navigate through a one- sided inquiry that dragged on for years, and the true heroism of one investigator that saw the truth and sought to change the system. It is a true American story that is both awe- inspiring and cautionary for anyone who ever thought about those who spend their lives at sea.

A thrilling amount of the final hours of the merchant vessel Marine Electric. The author goes into great detail showing the lives of the men involved and points out the many mistakes that led to this tragedy. Well written and informative. A must read for all current and former merchant mariners.

A real view at sea life of a sailor im familiar with to some extent. But... The reforms and missed addressing the Jones Act that is working backwards of intention. And a similar sinking of the containers ship El Faro 5 years ago..... Frankenstein boats chopped up and welded together..... It's very far from reformed.

Compelling story of a merchant ship that capsized in 1983 resulting finally, in the scrapping of old, un-seaworthy ships. Excellent organization, great job describing the character of the central participants. Easy to follow the marine jargon and the physics of the sinking. Hard to put this book down.

I have no idea how I can sum up this story. To say it lead me through tears, laughter, anger, joy and fury would be an understatement. My level of respect for the Coast Guard, mariners, investigative reporters (ones who want the truth, not dirt) and for the families who lost their husbands, sons, uncles, and brothers has grown exponentially. Read this book and know that you have a purpose, no matter your life's circumstances.

This book arrived in great condition. However, it did not arrive in a timely manner, and in fact arrived many days later than the promised arrival time.

Really a book for an ex seaman as it deals with not only the loss of the ship but also a great deal of information about the US merchant navy at that period. I was a 2nd Mate under the UK flag in the 1960's and 70's. and you it was rare to meet an American ship.Really only able to carry gift cargos of grand etc. and do US costal work protected by the Jones Act. Unfortunately our MN suffered a similar fate from 1979 onwards. Any way a good read but you do need an interest in the subject

Well written andn very interesting subject matter. I’ve read a few real life disaster books recently, and this one has been my clear favourite. It is not just an unedited stream of facts - this has been thoughtfully put together.... very exciting, and at times sad and emotional. I like that the narrative moves from the real time events, to the historical context and ramifications/importance of the event. Really makes the reader side with the sailors against “the company”! Recommended.

great book

very good

This is an enthralling if tragic account of a disaster and how big business endeavoured to mask the truth - and dedicated to all those numerous merchant seaman who lost their lives unnecessarily.

A compelling and emotional read. One of the finest maritime books written.

Very enjoyable

The Marine Electric tragedy narrated in a precise and well documented way. And, beside it, a bright analisys of the post-war shipping industry. An old story, made actual by the recent loss of the El Faro ship. A recommended reading.

As a young AB in the 1980's I would have, unknowingly, loved to hop on the Marine Electric. But I was unable to get a birth on a ship for various reasons. I was vaguely aware that there were changes going on in the industry, that many of the ships were old, and that there were limited births available. I just didn't know the details. And in the union halls there were so many people in line, all trying to get the same few births available, it eventually seemed futile, and I gave up the idea of going deep sea. In my youth, we thought that the crack arrestors were just normal in steel ships, not that they were added to the aged ships to save them. This, and many other details are made clear in this book. As well as the complicity of so many of the players in the system. Reading this book helped me understand those forces that so strongly influenced my life back then. Certainly there were other forces at work too, such as the offshoring of the ships flags. But for anyone who is wondering what happened to the U.S. Merchant Marine in the 1980's this book is a much read.

I worked on this ship at Jacksonville Shipyards in 1981, the last time it was dry docked. I was a young welder and the repairs we made didn't make sense. We were instructed to replace portions of beams in the ballast holds when the entire beam was rusted out and needed to be replaced. I remember hitting a cargo bulkhead with a hammer and about 5 lbs of rust scales would fall off. The deck was so thin there were holes in it and I worried that I might fall through. I knew I wouldn't go out in the St. Johns River on that rust bucket and I couldn't believe anyone in their right mind would take it out in big water. Thank you Robert for telling the story.

Let me preface this review by stating that I was an engineering officer on the Marine Electric during one of those trips to Israel that the author mentions early in the book, and I worked on a number of ships owned or operated by Marine Transport Lines. I knew many of the officers and crew on the ship, the MTL shoreside staff, as well as the people mentioned from the engineer's union. This is a wonderful book and a great read, telling quite a bit about what went on, especially with the USCG investigative board. I'd have given it a five star review except for some minor errors of fact, mostly with misspelling of names, something I'd think an author would nail down correctly prior to going to print. Those errors do not detract from the overall narrative and importance of how this tragedy left a legacy for today's U.S.-flag merchant marine.

I bought this book after the El Faro sinking as it was recommended by a friend who said it traced the investigations of a number of merchant marine losses over the years. Robert Frump is a master storyteller and the book was hard to put down. It is still early in the investigation of the El Faro but so far it appears that the problems with owners who send old ships to sea and Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping inspectors who allow them to continue to operate have not changed over the last 30 years. Read this book if you are interested in the history of US maritime disasters and the seaman who gave their lives.

I love the depth of this account of the loss of the Marine Electric. The minute by minute account of Cusick and Kelly's struggle for survival in that stormy sea is better than a 3D movie. I felt quite involved in the heroic struggles to change a failing system that kept junk ships cruising and loved how the author captured all sides to the story. And the fact that men held their ground, and moved that mountain to get safer ships for sea faring workers -- is graciously inspiring.

The author, Robert Thrump, writes compassionately of the crew of the ill-fated “SS Marine Electric” and their final voyage that ended with the deaths of all but three survivors in the winter of 1983 off the coast of Virginia. All the factors enumerated here leading up to and following the sinking, leave the reader with a staggering sense of injustice. It illuminates how the uncaring institutional and corporate entities who made the tragedy all but inevitable escaped responsibility and culpability. It also introduces the courage, faith, and tenacity of the seamen and their families who were forced to navigate through a one- sided inquiry that dragged on for years, and the true heroism of one investigator that saw the truth and sought to change the system. It is a true American story that is both awe- inspiring and cautionary for anyone who ever thought about those who spend their lives at sea.

A thrilling amount of the final hours of the merchant vessel Marine Electric. The author goes into great detail showing the lives of the men involved and points out the many mistakes that led to this tragedy. Well written and informative. A must read for all current and former merchant mariners.

A real view at sea life of a sailor im familiar with to some extent. But... The reforms and missed addressing the Jones Act that is working backwards of intention. And a similar sinking of the containers ship El Faro 5 years ago..... Frankenstein boats chopped up and welded together..... It's very far from reformed.

Compelling story of a merchant ship that capsized in 1983 resulting finally, in the scrapping of old, un-seaworthy ships. Excellent organization, great job describing the character of the central participants. Easy to follow the marine jargon and the physics of the sinking. Hard to put this book down.

I have no idea how I can sum up this story. To say it lead me through tears, laughter, anger, joy and fury would be an understatement. My level of respect for the Coast Guard, mariners, investigative reporters (ones who want the truth, not dirt) and for the families who lost their husbands, sons, uncles, and brothers has grown exponentially. Read this book and know that you have a purpose, no matter your life's circumstances.