Havighurst, Walter "Hearts of Oak"

Another early World War 2 tale by short story master Havighurst. Captain Thomas Woodbody has had three ships sunk under him by the time he takes command of the freighter FASTNET ROCK, outbound on a trans-Atlantic convoy for America. Though nicknamed “the unsinkable Captain Woodbody” by the British press, Woodbody guards a secret known only to himself: he is shell-shocked and now fearful that he has lost his nerve. His haunted memories reoccur during the short time that he is in command of the FASTNET ROCK, with his underlying courageous self surfacing only after his ship has been attacked by the enemy and is sinking after having strayed from its convoy position in a heavy fog. At that point Woodbody learns the true meaning of courage and through his resolve and humor finds redemption for both himself and also for his crew.