"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.