The Raft

The Courageous Struggle of Three Naval Airmen Against the Sea

By: Robert Trumbull

Narrated by: Tom Parker

On the afternoon of January 16, 1942, three men boarded a TBD Devastator aircraft - a low-wing, single-engine torpedo-bomber - for an antisubmarine patrol flight. Although it was to be a relatively short flight, they became lost. When the fuel ran low, they decided to ditch into the Pacific. Before they could get their life raft to inflate, however, the plane sank beneath them, carrying most of the survival gear down with it. Thirty-four days later the raft landed on Puka Puka, a New Zealand-governed atoll in the Danger Islands, having meandered 1,200 miles!

The story of the voyage, with few resources except courage and indomitable human spirit, is not only an inspiring listen, but a tribute to the human species and its will to survive. The miraculous escapes, especially the passage over a killer reef and the reaching of safety only a day ahead of a typhoon, also suggest that someone was looking over them.

©1942 by Henry Holt and Company (P)1996 by Blackstone Audiobooks

wonderful

loved this detailed piece of history. we listened as we traveled for 2 days, and passed time.

Amazing Story

Listened to on a family road trip with my kids. It was a great way to pass the time on a long trip.

Great for all ages!

Our family took this audiobook with us on vacation last year and listened as we drove. The whole family enjoyed the book. Hard to believe men could live on the sea that long without supplies. Well worth listening to!

An inspiring story of human endurance

The author tells this inspiring story in an uncluttered, matter of fact way yet still fully conveys the physical, mental and emotional hardships endured by the survivors.

A good read

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story of their survival as told through the chief’s eyes allowed me to feel, in part, their strength and resilience. The raft is on display at the Naval Air museum in Pensacola Florida. I recommend reading this book to everyone who has an interest in history and the human spirit.