Saturday, March 6, 2021

"Surviving Savannah"

"Surviving Savannah" by Patti Callahan 

With all the splendor of royalty, the rich and 
elite of Savannah board the luxury steamship,
The Pulaski, on June 13th, 1838, for its maiden
voyage to Baltimore. Some of these aristocrats, 
with their priceless belongings, and humble 
servants trailing behind, will travel on to refreshing
Saratoga Springs, New York, to begin what promises 
to be a much-anticipated trip far away from the
sweltering, oppressive, summer heat of the deep South. 

Little do the unlucky travelers know, that within hours, a
boiler room explosion will rip the ship apart, throwing 
innocent adults and children overboard, where they will
frantically try to save themselves from the sheer terror 
of the dark, churning sea. Many will perish, some 
will astonishingly live, but all will become part of a
tragic disaster few historians dwell upon, until the 
mangled wreckage is discovered 180 years later. 

 In alternating chapters, this true, captivating tale about 
"The Titanic of the South", combines the present day
fascination of uncovering precious relics beneath the
ocean, with the past agonizing experiences of the brave 
souls who were part of an adventure gone terribly wrong.

Everly Winthrop is an enthusiastic, history professor
who decides to accept an invitation to guest curate a 
proposed museum exhibition of recent artifacts from 
The Pulaski. As Everly examines the many treasures
that have remained in the solitary cocoon of the ocean's
depths, painful memories surface about the best friend 
she lost to a tragic, unsolved accident, one that she 
believes falls on her shoulders. Exploring those who 
perished years ago, only intensifies her own profound
guilt and sadness.

Everly's extensive research reveals forsaken details
about those unfortunate enough to be on the doomed
1838 steamer, namely a wealthy, distinguished family
of eleven. Two extraordinary survivors from this 
well-heeled family, were Augusta Longstreet and her 
niece, Lilly Forsyth. Chapter by chapter, readers learn 
of their hidden secrets and desires. But nothing 
compares to being at the mercy of vast, threatening 
waters that challenged their endurance in unimaginable
ways. 

This emotional, historical fiction novel once again 
showcases author Patti Callahan's ability to take a
mesmerizing event in history, and combine it with her
own intriguing plot and rich, tortured characters. 
Especially engaging are the passages about Augusta,
Lilly, and an indentured nursemaid, all of whom possess 
inner strength, loyalty, and unparalleled determination. 
They each overcome fate's overwhelming obstacles 
with fierce fortitude and perseverance. 

March 9th marks the date for Callahan's newest release, 
perhaps one of her finest sagas to date. The author note 
at the end of the book further explains the facts behind 
this miraculous survival at sea at a time in history few
remember, or honor, until now. 


 




















 

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