New "Facts Page" for this issue

SUMMARY:

When Rogers bribes the crew of Captain Matt Cleary to abandon him right before a most important journey, Aquaman takes their place.

OVERVIEW:

Aquaman, on patrol, runs into an old enemy, Jules Rogers, who gloats that Aquaman's friend Captain Cleary is going to retire. Aquaman goes to see Cleary, and learns that Rogers is stealing a contract from Cleary that keeps Cleary in business.

The ship that reaches Singapore first gets the contract, and Rogers bribed Cleary's crew to quit. Aquaman decides that he will be Cleary's crew, and the ship sets off for Singapore. Aquaman has a six whale team pull the ship, and taps the Singapore Cable to notify them of Cleary's attempt after Cleary learns his radio is sabotaged.

When Cleary tells him the refrigeration is smashed and the ship has no water, Aquaman finds an iceberg and tows it back, providing both at once. Then an explosion rips through the hull. Aquaman holds the ship up with whales, then lifts it out of the water and makes repairs using the hull of a wrecked vessel nearby.

Rogers, watching from his own ship, has one more trick up his sleeve. He fires a torpedo at Cleary's ship, which Aquaman's finny friends turn around and aim at Roger's ship, blowing it up.

Cleary gets to Singapore safely, and gives the credit to Aquaman, who is already headed back out to sea...

COMMENTS:

Roger's ship is the S.S.Marlin, Captain Matt Cleary is skipper of the S.S.Cathay. The ship Aquaman uses to repair The Cathay is the Eastern Isle.

Aquaman and Cleary give any passengers on the Cathay the option of not coming along for the trip once Aquaman becomes Cleary's crew. All of them are excited by being on the ship and delighted to see Aquaman in action.

The explosion on the Cathay was caused by Castaigne, an employee of Roger's. He presumably smashed the radio and refrigeration too.

The art is wonderful. The poses that various characters are in make you think that the artist spent some time watching real sailors, or at least around ships.

CONCLUSION:

An interesting tale that reminds us how commerce used to be.