Australia. December 1943.

While war rages in Europe, fears casts a constant shadow over the fisherman of Bass Strait and the oceans surrounding Tasmania during WW2, when German U-boats hunt these waters, sinking trawlers for their ice (for fresh water) and fuel.

The fear travelled with the children of the lighthouses and with the fishermen who took them to and fro between Tasmania, for schooling, and home to their lighthouse islands for vacations.

RAAF equipped Avro Anson bombers flew from their base at Laverton in Victoria with long-range fuel tanks and bombs - before the advent of depth charges - to hunt these U-boats.

TORPEDO ROADS is the story of two of the children of the lighthouse families on (the imaginary) Abel Island; threatened by a U-boat when aboard a fishing boat on their way home for the Christmas holiday.

A patrolling RAAF Avro saves them by bombing the U-boat; but the submarine is damaged, and heads for the nearest land, Abel Island the only chance it has of survival.

The Germans who make it ashore on the island take control of the light station and hold the residents hostage while they wait for rescue. Virginia, the teenage daughter of the Head Light keeper comes under threat from the German officer who takes control.

In a daring plan, Virginia, and her friend, Matthew, escape the island in a small sailing dinghy; and are believed lost at sea until an R.A.N. ploy decoys the Germans aboard a captured U-boat, and Navy personnel come ashore and return Virginia and Matthew to their families.

TORPEDO ROADS is a strong story of suspense, loyalty and courage by the award-winning Australian author, Roger Vaughan Carr, based on stories he heard directly from men who were "lighthouse children" during WW2.
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