Les, Many thanks for this! There was a posting from Charley Noble that mentions David Woodward's good book, "The Secret Raiders" (W. W. Norton & Company, 1955 - now, sadly, long out of print). Since I'm a fan of "unconventional" seafaring (piracy, smuggling, cruiser warefare, etc.), I saw it and grabbed it at a used book store in Downtown Brooklyn while I was on leave from jury duty some years ago. This book is where I first found the story of the 'Stephen Hopkins' and got me inspired to write a song.

The local chapter of the American Merchant Marine Veterans Association at Seamens' Church Institute in Manhattan (just north of South Street Seaport, where we hold our Monthly Chantey Sings) is named for Edwin O'Hara. There are two bronze plaques on the wall there that honor the Merchant Seamen and the the Naval Armed Guard who brought the ships through against so many odds. No matter what generation we are, we have to keep the memory of so many folks, from so many nations, who did what had to be done at a time when it needed doing.

I'm going to be posting a separate thread asking for more leads on the story of the 'Stephen Hopkins'. Jan C.