1954 Away All Boats Pick up, Toronto, Cabbagetown

1954 Away All Boats Author: Kenneth Dodson Published By: Little, Brown & Company Pages: 444 Binding: Hardcover Condition: Very Good Slight wear on the Head and Tail Most damage is only to the Dustjacket About: The novel presents the story of Belinda and her crew in chronological order from when Lieutenant Dave MacDougall boards the ship in San Francisco for her shakedown cruise from San Francisco to Hawaii in July 1943. Detailed maps of the western half of the Pacific Ocean show Belinda's path for all major operations including dates, which often in the novel's text are omitted. The author skillfully weaves in any necessary background information about the crew, ship, and operations without the need for extended diversions or flashbacks. Numerous characters get introduced as would be expected on a ship the size of the Belinda. Only about 15 or 20 men appear in enough scenes so that the reader gets to know them well, but some men get transferred off the ship such as Executive Officer Quigley who gets his own command of a supply ship and beachmaster Lieutenant Mike O'Bannion who loses his foot when he steps on an underwater Japanese mine during a beach assault. Although many chapters focus on intense battles fought during amphibious landings, other parts of the book depict typical everyday events in the Navy such as shakedown cruise challenges, shore leave, difficulties in receiving mail from home, and boat landing drills. Pick up in Toronto, Cabbagetown.