Chapter 3, The Panache Procedure Summary

On board the coast guard cutter, Captain Wegener is carrying out an inspection of the boat and crew. They are returning to their base but expecting a storm before they arrive. The atmosphere among the ship's crew is tense with outrage and frustration at what they have witnessed and at the arrogance of their two prisoners. After a good deal of soul searching, Red Wegener decides to do something about the situation. As the storm develops, he brings them to the wardroom, where, with certain carefully selected crew members, he conducts a court martial. The basis for this action is embodied in an old 18th century reference book of regulations, informally called "Rocks and Shoals." In fact this book has been replaced by the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

One of the prisoners remains defiant throughout the...