On May 19, 1942, a U-boat in the Gulf of Mexico stalked its prey fifty miles from New Orleans.  The submarine set its sights on the freighter Heredia. Most onboard were merchant seamen, but there were also civilians, including the Downs family:
Ray and Ina, and their two children.  Fast asleep in their berths, the Downs family had no idea that two torpedoes were heading their way When the ship exploded, chaos ensued—and each family member had to find his or her own path to survival.

This inspiring historical narrative tells the story of the Downs family as they desperately struggle against sharks, hypothermia, blinding oil, drowning, and dehydration in their effort to survive the aftermath of this deadly attack off the American coast.

From the dust jacket