Alistair MacLean · 1984 · sea

Alistair MacLean's 1984 WWII thriller. The hospital ship San Andreas sails the Arctic run under great red crosses that should protect her, laden with wounded men. Then her lights fail before a dawn attack, and it becomes clear that someone aboard wants her found. Bo'sun Archie McKinnon must nurse the crippled ship home to Aberdeen and unmask the saboteur.

1. 1
   Murmansk

   The unarmed hospital ship San Andreas clears the Russian port of Murmansk on the Arctic run, her hull painted with great red crosses and her lights burning by night - protections that should make her untouchable by either side.

2. 2
   The Barents Sea

   In the black cold of the Barents Sea her lights fail just before dawn, and a German Condor comes out of the murk to bomb her - killing men, wrecking her upperworks and sinking the frigate escorting her.

3. 3
   The Norwegian Sea

   Wounded and steering by hand down the Norwegian Sea, the San Andreas is shadowed by aircraft and U-boats that always seem to know where she is - and Bo'sun McKinnon realises the saboteur is still aboard and still signalling.

4. 4
   Aberdeen

   Limping at last toward Aberdeen, McKinnon uncovers what makes his ship worth hunting - a cargo more precious than any of her wounded know - and settles with the traitor before the sea or the Germans can finish the job.