{"product_id":"book-gre9","title":"A Strange Whim of the Sea","description":"On January 16, 1944, the submarine rescue vessel USS \u003ci\u003eMacaw\u003c\/i\u003e (ASR-11) ran aground at Midway Atoll while attempting to get a towing line to the stranded submarine USS \u003ci\u003eFlier\u003c\/i\u003e (SS-250). The \u003ci\u003eFlier\u003c\/i\u003e was pulled free six days later, but another three weeks of salvage efforts failed to dislodge the Macaw. Then on February 12, the sea accomplished that task, nudging the ship into deeper water.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs night fell and the ship slowly sank, the twenty-two men on board sought refuge in the pilot house. By about 0230 Sunday, that compartment having flooded almost entirely, Burton gave the order to open the portside door and make for the foremast. Five of the men, including Burton himself, died, as did three sailors from the base at Midway in a pair of unauthorized and effectively suicidal rescue attempts that morning.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book traces the lives of the Macaw and her enigmatic captain, from birth on San Francisco Bay to death at Midway. Ultimately, for Paul Burton and the \u003ci\u003eMacaw\u003c\/i\u003e the real enemy was the sea, and in a deadly denouement told here in riveting detail, the sea won. Highlighting the underreported role auxiliary vessels played in the war, \u003ci\u003eA Strange Whim of the Sea\u003c\/i\u003e should engage the military historian and layperson alike with the previously untold story it tells of struggle, sacrifice, death, and survival in the Pacific in World War II.","brand":"Tantor","offers":[{"title":"Audiobook","offer_id":49356497420592,"sku":"BDgre9","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Audio CD","offer_id":49356497453360,"sku":"ZEgre9","price":45.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Audio MP3-CD","offer_id":49356497486128,"sku":"ZMgre9","price":45.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0879\/2784\/9264\/files\/gre9-Square-cover.jpg?v=1780196302","url":"https:\/\/downpour.com\/products\/book-gre9","provider":"Downpour","version":"1.0","type":"link"}