Stowaways I

In the days of break bulk vessels, USL had the North Atlantic range well covered. On a westbound voyage, just before departure from Europe, several stowaways slipped on board and secreted themselves in hiding. They figured on a ten day voyage to New York and had provisions and water for survival. But half way across the Atlantic, the vessel suffered a mechanical failure and had to be towed back to a European port. By this time all of ten days had elapsed and our unmanifested passengers figured they had arrived at the Big Apple and came out of hiding and were apprehended by security as they headed down the pier. It's all about unintended consequences.
tjs