A minute later, the operator returned. "Captain Harlow wishes you Godspeed and calm seas."

"I imagine it has to be the first time in history a guided-missile frigate took on five hundred civilian passengers," said Pitt.

"Yes," said Burch slowly, as he turned and gazed at the burned-out leviathan. The downpour of rain had done little to alleviate the fire. Flames still flickered and smoke spiraled into the sky. Except for a small space around the bow, the entire ship was blackened and scorched. The steel plates were buckled and her superstructure was little more than a labyrinth of charred, twisted and contorted frameworks. Nothing organic was left. Everything that could burn had been reduced to ugly piles of ashes. It had been a ship that its architects and builders swore could never burn. Fire-retardant materials had been used throughout. But they'd never counted on the dynamic heat that had fanned itself into a firestorm that could melt metal.

"Another one of the great mysteries of the sea," Pitt said, his voice distant.

"Ship fires occur with alarming frequency around the world every year." Burch spoke as if he were lecturing to a class. "But I've never heard of one more baffling than the blaze on board the Emerald Dolphin. No fire on a ship that large should have spread so fast."

"Second Officer McFerrin suggested that it spread out of control because the fire-warning and control systems were inoperative."

"An act of treachery, do you think?"

Pitt nodded at the smoldering, gutted hulk. "It defies logic that it was a series of unfortunate circumstances."

"Captain," the radio operator interrupted again, "Captain Nevins of the Earl of Wattlesfield would like a word with you."

"Put him on the speaker."

"Go ahead, sir."

"Captain Burch here."

"Captain Nevins here. I say, if you chaps are going to try for Wellington, I'll be most happy to shepherd you along the way, since that's the closest major port to disembark the survivors."

"That's very kind of you, Captain," replied Burch. "I accept your offer. We've set a course for Wellington, too. I hope we don't slow you down too much."

"Wouldn't do for the heroes and heroines of the hour to sink along the way."

"Our pumps are keeping ahead of the flooding. Barring a major typhoon, we should make Wellington in good shape."

"As soon as you get under way, we'll follow."

"How are you managing with eighteen hundred people on your ship?" asked Pitt.

"We have most of them in two of our empty cargo holds. The rest are scattered throughout, some in half-empty containers. We have enough food in the galley for one proper meal. After that, everyone, including my crew and I, will go on a rigid diet until we reach Wellington." Nevins paused for a moment. "And, oh yes, if you could pass between my ship and the Aussie frigate, we'd like to give you a send-off. Over and out."

Burch looked bemused. "Send-off?"

"Maybe they want to say aloha and throw streamers." Pitt laughed.