"HMS Ulysses" - читать интересную книгу автора (Maclean Alistair)

v1.1 Sort of proofed and reformatted (xyz) Mar 2003

H.M.S. ULYSSES

"H.M.S, Ulysses is staggering. Alistair MacLean shows us how a near-mutinous crew is driven by suffering to feats of superhuman courage and endurance." Nigel Nicolson

"Brilliant-often overwhelming novel about a nightmare voyage ...
leaves one sick with awe at so much bravery." Observer

"The story of the Russian convoys that had to be told. Not for the squeamish."
Glasgow Evening News

First published in 1955 by William Collins Sons & Co Ltd First issued in
Fontana Books 1960 Thirty-fifth Impression August 1981

All rights reserved

Made and printed in Great Britain by William Collins Sons & Co Ltd, Glasgow

TO GISELA

CONDITIONS OF SALE

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher's prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser

I wish to acknowledge my debt to my elder brother, Ian L. MacLean, Master Mariner, for the considerable technical help and advice on matters maritime given me in the preparation of this book.

To avoid possible confusion it must be clearly stated that there is no connection whatsoever between the H.M.S. Ulysses of this book and the Ulster-class destroyer, now fully converted to a frigate, of the same name which entered operational service in the early part of 1944, some 12 months after the events described in this book. Nor is there any connection between any ship herein mentioned as being in Scapa Flow or participating in the convoy and any naval ship of the same name that has served, or is serving, in the Royal Navy.

A.M.

Come, my friends, 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world. Push off, and sitting well in order smite The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths Of all the western stars, until I die. It may be that the gulfs will wash us down: It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles, And see the great Achilles, whom we knew. Though much is taken, much abides; and though We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
ALFRED LORD TENNYSON

CONTENTS

1. PRELUDE: SUNDAY AFTERNOON

2. MONDAY MORNING

3. MONDAY AFTERNOON

4. MONDAY NIGHT

5. TUESDAY

6. TUESDAY NIGHT

7. WEDNESDAY NIGHT