Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"

Torpedoed chronicles the 1940 journey of the SS City of Benares, a luxury liner converted to transport 90 British children to safety in Canada during World War II. The ship carried evacuees from the Children's Overseas Reception Board (CORB) program, along with crew members, escorts, and other civilian passengers. The narrative follows specific children, crew members, and chaperones aboard the vessel through their initial departure and days at sea. Through first-hand accounts and historical documentation, Heiligman reconstructs the routines, relationships, and experiences of those on board during the Atlantic crossing. The book details the German U-boat presence in the Atlantic and the larger context of WWII naval warfare that formed the backdrop to this civilian evacuation mission. This historical framing provides crucial perspective on the risks faced by all passenger ships during this period. Through this focused examination of one maritime journey, the book illuminates broader themes about civilian casualties, wartime childhood, and the complex moral calculations that governments and families faced during World War II.

Readers describe this book as an emotional account that handles difficult subject matter appropriately for young audiences while maintaining historical accuracy. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of complex wartime events for children - Integration of survivor accounts and primary sources - Inclusion of photographs and diagrams - Balance between individual stories and broader historical context Common criticisms: - Pacing issues in early chapters - Some found the writing style too detached - Several noted difficulty keeping track of multiple characters Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (100+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "The photographs make the victims real to young readers" - Goodreads reviewer "Takes time to build momentum but delivers an impactful conclusion" - Amazon reviewer "Does justice to the historical events while remaining age-appropriate" - School Library Journal reader review

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🚢 The SS City of Benares was known as "The Children's Ship" because it was carrying 90 children being evacuated from Britain to Canada during WWII as part of the Children's Overseas Reception Board (CORB) program. 🏆 Author Deborah Heiligman won the Golden Kite Award for Non-Fiction and the SCBWI Sid Fleischman Award for Humor for her book "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers." 💔 Only 13 of the 90 evacuee children aboard the SS City of Benares survived the torpedo attack by German U-boat U-48 on September 17, 1940. 🌊 One lifeboat containing children managed to survive 8 days at sea before being rescued, with survivors enduring freezing temperatures and severe dehydration. 📝 The sinking of the SS City of Benares led to the immediate cancellation of the CORB evacuation program, as the British government deemed ocean transport too dangerous for children during wartime.