Last Voyage of the Point Defiance - and the story of a Black Gang that crewed her

General Douglas MacArthur once said, “I hold no branch in higher esteem than the Merchant Marine Services.”

Last Voyage of the Point Defiance is the story of three young men coming of age during the time of war. Jake, Donnie, and Ted enter the Merchant Marine in the fall of 1942. Although anxious to begin new lives in the service of their country, they struggle to leave their old lives behind.

Crewing aboard an ocean-going tug instills in them a false sense of security. Hopes their vessel will stay out of harm’s way are dashed when the M/V Point