This is the story of one of the old moth-balled American fourstack destroyers, left-overs from WW I, which were turned over to the British in the early, desperate days of WW II, as part of the "Lend-Lease" program before American was in the war. The crew is saddled with an overage "gift horse", prone to mechanical tantrums and even complete engine failure in moments of high crisis. The story follows the exploits of the ship, officers and sailors from the time they take command of this "lemon" in Halifax until the last, heart-breaking night when they scuttle the ship in a German-held French harbor. Episodic and understated.

This is the story of one of the old moth-balled American fourstack destroyers, left-overs from WW I, which were turned over to the British in the early, desperate days of WW II, as part of the "Lend-Lease" program before American was in the war. The crew is saddled with an overage "gift horse", prone to mechanical tantrums and even complete engine failure in moments of high crisis. The story follows the exploits of the ship, officers and sailors from the time they take command of this "lemon" in Halifax until the last, heart-breaking night when they scuttle the ship in a German-held French harbor. Episodic and understated.