Cirrus@Austlit

Author's note: H.M.A. destroyer Voyager (Mark 1) was lost through enemy attention while stranded on a reef off Timor. Though some of the incidents of that unfortunate occurrence have been drawn upon in this book, my characters must not be confused with the ship's company of that vessel. This has to be recorded because it is suspected that more than one naval officer believes himself to be the model for Peter Bentley. And though one cannot imagine any self-respecting captain mistaking himself for Dutchy Holland, one never knows. I would also like it to be known that the plan for this book was worked out some months before the second Voyager was lost. A strict publisher's schedule, not any wish for reflected publicity, compelled its completion. - frontmatter