Back to Sinbad Lives!

Reunion
by Mary Beth Donovan Grassi

By chance, I discovered the book about Sinbad book on Amazon. What a gift! I thought I would never see the book again, as many years ago; I "colored" the pages, ruining the book. My dad was wild!

Walter R. Donovan was an electrician aboard the Campbell and loved to tell us stories about the best dog in the world, Sinbad. He claimed Sinbad made life in the North Atlantic bearable. In fact, according to family history, Sinbad brought together my dad and his brother. Both were in a beer line in Africa or Italy, I believe, had not seen each other for a long, long time and had no idea where the other was serving. Sinbad, according to my dad, tried to cut line and caused quite a commotion, barking at one sailor from another cutter, really giving the guy attitude. My dad saw a hand reach out to pat Sinbad, thought the hand and ring on it looked very familiar. Sure enough, it was my Uncle Joe.  Sinbad brought the two brothers together in the middle of the war.

My one regret is I can't buy the Sinbad book and your book on the Atlantic for my dad, as he died a few years ago, a very proud Coastie to the end. ("Iron men, wooden ships," he used to say.) But by keeping Sinbad alive, you have brought my dad to me, along with some wonderful memories. I am passing on news of your books and the Sinbad documentary on to the family.