* * * * * The SS Brazil followed three freighters, also leaving on Sunday the 31 st of May, 1942, as she eased her way through the mine fields that protected Bombay Harbor. Once clear of the mine fields, the SS Brazil stretched her sea legs and got up to cruise speed; leaving the slower freighters behind. When she passed the freighters, they radioed the Brazil’s captain and asked if he’d like to “convoy” with them; respectfully the skipper declined. Those freighters would only slow the SS Brazil down and draw enemy submarines. The captain preferred to chance sailing on alone at speed, making his ship that much harder to find. “Hindsight is always the best sight” – in this case the old adage being spot on. After the war, it was determined that this particul...