Lifeboat 12

This section contains the poems “Inspections,” “SS City of Benares,” “Welcome, Young Sir!,” “Cabin Mates,” “Time for a Tour,” “Lunch,” “Alarm Bells,” “To the Lifeboats,” “Mischief,” and “No Safe Harbor.”

In the morning, the boys must submit to a medical examination to make sure they are healthy enough for the voyage. Young John Snoad has a cold and is sent home. The boys take a bus to the docks and see their ship—the SS City of Benares—for the first time. It’s a beautiful luxury cruise ship, and Ken can hardly believe how large it is. All the boys are filled with excitement and a sense of adventure as they board the ship. The crew greets them on deck and makes them feel like special guests, particularly Ramjam Buxoo, the man in charge. Mr. Buxoo leads them to their cabin assignments, and Ken is placed with three young boys. He wishes he could be with his friends but understands that he is needed to take care of these younger boys. Ken marvels at the luxurious room. He encourages his young roommates to enjoy the bunk beds to distract them from homesickness. The children’s playroom also features brand-new dolls, model airplanes, a rocking horse, and more.