of survivors being removed from the bow of the ship. Most are still in their dinner clothes, in contrast to Scott's group, who are mostly in underclothing and streaked with oil. En route to the rescue ships in lifeboats, they see The Beamer and Pamela, who have survived after all. Sailors from a small German tramper try to put a salvage line on the Poseidon. Mike Rogo curses them because of his World War II experiences, and laughs when their efforts fail. The group goes their separate ways—Mary Kinsale and Nonnie on a ship back to England; Mike Rogo, Manny Rosen, Hubie Muller back to New York, Martin back to Chicago, Dick, Jane and Susan Shelby back to Michigan; and the Turk back to Turkey. Aboard the American ship, they watch as the Poseidon sinks. Jane Shelby, finally giving up hope, silently grieves the loss of her son. The novel ends with Susan dreaming of going to Hull in England to visit the parents of Herbert. She hopes that she might be pregnant with his child so he would have a legacy. Characters Frank "Buzz" Scott – reverend and former Princeton all-star athlete. Mike Rogo – NYPD detective Linda Rogo – washed-up Broadway actress; she has destructive persona and is Mike Rogo's wife. Emmanuel "Manny" Rosen – retired delicatessen owner and old acquaintance of Rogo. Belle Rosen – former W.S.A. swim champion and Manny Rosen's wife. Mary Kinsale – head bookkeeper of the Camberley branch of Browne's Bank in England. Richard "Dick" Shelby – Vice President Cranborne Motors of Detroit, MI Jane Shelby – homemaker and Richard's Shelby's wife. Susan Shelby – 17-year-old high school student Robin Shelby – 10-year-old elementary school student Hubert "Hubie" Muller – wealthy playboy socialite Nona "Nonnie" Parry – chorus dancer for the ship's can-can group "The Gresham Girls". James Martin – proprietor, Elite Haberdashery in Evanston, IL Tony "The Beamer" Bates – partner in a stockbroking firm and raging alcoholic. Pamela Reid – an unemployed woman who is infatuated with "The Beamer". Kemal – Turkish engine room oiler Acre – steward Dr. Caravello – ship's doctor Marco – Caravello's orderly Herbert – young seaman from Hull. Mr. Kyrenos – third engineer Mrs. Wilma Lewis – widow, having a meaningless love affair with James Martin. Marie – ship's hairdresser Pappas – seaman Peters – steward Williams – steward Commander Thorpe – skipper of the USS