Simple Courage

The True Story of Peril on the Sea

By: Frank Delaney

Narrated by: Frank Delaney

Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

“Heaven help the sailor on a night like this.” (Old folk prayer)

In late December 1951, laden with passengers and nearly 40 metric tons of cargo, the freighter S.S. Flying Enterprise steamed westward from Europe toward America. A few days into the voyage, she hit the eye of a ferocious storm. Force 12 winds tossed men about like playthings and turned drops of freezing Atlantic foam into icy missiles. When, in the space of 28 hours, the ship was slammed by two rogue waves - solid walls of water more than 60 feet high - the impacts cracked the decks and hull almost down to the waterline, threw the vessel over on her side, and thrust all on board into terror.

Flying Enterprise’s captain, Kurt Carlsen, a seaman of rare ability and valor, mustered all hands to patch the cracks and then try to right the ship. When these efforts came to naught, he helped transfer, across waves 40 feet high, the passengers and the entire crew to lifeboats sent from nearby ships. Then, for reasons both professional and intensely personal, and to the amazement of the world, Carlsen defied all requests and entreaties to abandon ship. Instead, for the next two weeks, he fought to bring Flying Enterprise and her cargo to port. His heroic endeavor became the world’s biggest news.

In a narrative as dramatic as the ocean’s fury, acclaimed best-selling author Frank Delaney tells, for the first time, the full story of this unmatched bravery and endurance at sea. We meet the devoted family whose well-being and safety impelled Carlsen to stay with his ship. And we read of Flying Enterprise’s buccaneering owner, the fearless and unorthodox Hans Isbrandtsen, who played a crucial role in Kurt Carlsen’s fate.

Drawing on historical documents and contemporary accounts and on exclusive interviews with Carlsen’s family, Delaney opens a window into the world of the merchant marine. With deep affection - and respect - for the weather and all that goes with it, he places us in the heart of the storm, a “biblical tempest” of unimaginable power. He illuminates the bravery and ingenuity of Carlsen and the extraordinary courage that the 37-year-old captain inspired in his stalwart crew. This is a gripping, absorbing narrative that highlights one man’s outstanding fortitude and heroic sense of duty.

©2006 Frank Delaney (P)2006 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"One of the great sea stories of the 20th century....[A] surefire nautical crowd-pleaser." (Booklist)

"Frank Delaney has written a completely absorbing, thrilling, and inspirational account of a disaster at sea that occasioned heroism of the first order. In the hands of a gifted storyteller, the 'simple courage' of the ship's captain and the young radio man who risked their lives to: a stubborn devotion to the things we love." (Sen. John McCain)

Superb listen

One of the best listens I have enjoyed in a long time. Delaney weaves an detailed account of the vessal and its captain. Meticulously researched and written. Listening to the author gives an added dimension to the suberb piece of work

Another Great Listen from Frank Delaney

I listened to Mr. Delaney's book "Ireland" and throughly enjoyed it. I decided to listen to this book because of that previous listen and enjoyed this book also. I liked the view point of the events through Mr. Delaney as a boy and the effects it had on him and his family. He's a great story teller. Mr. Delaney's narration is the icing on the cake. I'm looking forward to his next work.

Simply Wonderful!

Both Delaney's writing and storetelling rate a category 12 on the Beaufort Scale. I listened to it three times within a week of buying it. I am also seriously considering taking a freighter voyage in the very near future.

Unbelievable & heartwarming

So very glad to have read this magnificent book!!! What a wonderful human being Captain Carlson was! An inspiration in ALL facets of life. Thank you so much for such a wonderful presentation!!!

Simply outstanding!!!

Being a descendant of a long line of Scottish sailors, this story affected me greatly. My father broke the tradition by becoming an Engineer. I attended primary school in Portsmouth, so I became fascinated by ship's as Mr. Delaney. I found the story and his narration to be superb! I was not aware of this story prior to purchasing this book. Just finished it now and am awestruck. I could listen to Mr. Delaney all day. He is an excellent narrator. The story is incredible! I highly recommend this to anyone!

Exciting, informative story about a ship's sinking

Well-read by the author, a story of a sinking tragedy moment-by-moment. Gripping! Captain is hero!

Incredible Story

Incredible story of a great captain and crew. Narrator was a bit dry and stoic, but with a little imagination and some familiarity with the sea, you'll love it.

got to love a good shipwreck story

amazing story about the courage of men at sea. great introduction of the shipping times in the 50s as well, lot of great history in this book.
narrator did great job too, got to enjoy the accent.

Great story, beautifully told by the author

Very lovely story that brings you into the action. Nice connection between the author and his subject. Clearly a heart-felt work.

No Courage

I was very disappointed by this book. It is a routine maritime disaster with none of the heroic survival attempts that one would have expected. It is no Perfect Storm or Endurance.