It was a routine day for the crew of the motor barge. They were unloading a consignment of steel sheets in Portsmouth Dockyard. When they had finished, the ship would sail for their home port on the Isle of Wight. They were surprised when a man in Royal Naval officer uniform climbed aboard. He said to the captain:“I have an urgent message for you from the Admiralty. I am ordered to commandeer this vessel immediately, for use by the navy and to take command of it.However, I am instructed to say that it would be of great value to the navy and to the war effort if you and any of your crew would...