Many books had previously been published describing Norma Hudson's father's story of survival but it was only in 2005 when Norma's parents passed away and their family home was finally sold that she found a wealth of material in her father's wooden naval 'ditty' box that provided the documentary evidence of his remarkable life. It is from these diaries, notes and letters and the stories from other seaman, family, friends and colleagues that Norma wrote this book.