In Peril on the Sea ― The Story of Ethel Bell and Her Children Robert and Mary

In Peril on the Sea is the story of missionary widow Ethel Bell and her children-Mary, 14, and Robert, 11-uprooted by the war from their West African station, find themselves on a small freighter bound for America. It is 1942. Sights and sounds of war envelop the world. And in the arena of the South Atlantic the infamous German submarine U-66 prowls the gray waters. Suddenly, on a peaceful August afternoon, a shrieking alarm pierces the stillness. Torpedoes explode. Fire engulfs the ship and within two minutes it disappears beneath the oil-slimed, shark infested waters. What follows is an almost unbelievable saga of death and despair as mother, daughter and son find themselves on an eight-by-ten foot raft along with two orphaned missionary children and fourteen male crew members. For twenty days aboard the bobbing vessel, Ethel Bell becomes pastor, peacekeeper, teacher, mediator and caregiver. But the story does not end with the surprising rescue. Years later, in a poignant moment, Robert Bell meets his "enemies" face to face. The war is over. God's love and forgiveness have triumphed.

ROBERT BELL was the son of missionary Ethel Bell. At age 11, he experienced first-hand a life-threatening 20 days at sea and a test of his dependence on God-the story told in his bookIn Peril on the Sea.

D. BRUCE LOCKERBIE has been a professor, administrator, author, and lecturer. He has been the president of two educational agencies: Stewardship Consulting Services, working with schools, and PAIDEIA, offering counsel to higher education and public interest institutions. He is the author and coauthor of many books including Take Heart,Fatherlove, and Who Educates Your Child?