‘People ashore don’t realise what a grim war we are waging at sea with the Germans. A cold-blooded war, in a way I think requiring the maximum of bravery from the men of both sides in the long run, as it is so ceaseless and intangible. You just don’t know whether the next moment will be your last.’ Robert Hichens, RNVSR

Several years ago, Julia Jones was searching through long-forgotten items stored at her house and discovered some suitcases of old written material, which turned out to be accounts by her father of his experiences in the RNVSR (Royal Naval Volunteers Supplementary Reserve). She realised that as a child she’d met many of the people mentioned, and although she was too young to truly know them, these youthful impressions spurred her on to rediscovery and understanding.

In this absorbing book Julia tells the compelling stories of the yachtsmen. Some were famous (such as Peter Scott and Nevil Shute) and many were not (such as the author’s own father). Some were wealthy (Peter Beatty was driven by Rolls Royce to his ship each morning, and collected by his chauffeur and valet at the end of the day) and others were not. Whilst some had extensive experience others had very little, and few could ever have dreamed that they would end up acting in areas that were so far beyond their normal lives, as they found themselves commanding destroyers and submarines, and undertaking covert missions of sabotage.Some undertook the dangerous daily drudgery of minesweeping; others tackled unexploded bombs, engaged the enemy in high-speed attacks or played key roles in Ian Fleming’s famous intelligence commandos.

This varied crew of men were given tasks vital to the war effort, requiring endurance, extraordinary bravery, resourcefulness and quick thinking. Some died in the process, but for the ones who survived, Julia asks how their experiences changed them. Could their love of sailing and the sea survive the harsh realities of war?