the tragic loss of the palatial side-wheel steamer portland in the horrific gale on november 26 and 27th 1898. the ship sank with all hands, was witnessed by no-one and disappeared without trace. the wreck would not be found until 91 years later. it would remain new england's greatest maritime mystery. the book solves 2-100 year old mysteries. exactly how and why the ship sank. the second mystery involves the 35 year search by sara fuller, who's great grandfather john whitten perished on the portland resulting with her grandmother audrey being given-up for adoption at age 6. she had been looking for the whitten half of the family. for the first time in history, her family is finally all accounted for. so many things happened in the storm, it defied all logic, as the wreck was found over 25 miles from where it was thought to have sunk. for this was a storm like no other with 100 miles per hour winds,40 foot waves and o degree temperatures. before it was over it would sink 150 ships and kill 450 mariners. also covered is the incredible rescue crew headed by the world champion of lifesavers-captain joshua james of the point- allerton lifesaving station in hull mass. my mentor mr. edward-rowe-snow worked on the book for 35 years before his death followed by 32 years on my part. the research totaled 67 years. the evidence as to how and why the portland sank lies on the wreck..the author saw 11 hours of underwater video on the wreck, and went on 2 oceanographic expeditions to the wreck. on the first one, he laid a wreath exactly over the wreck in memory of his mentor edward-rowe-snow and to the 192 passengers and crew who perished on the ship. history has finally come full circle