Jane Parks Gardner is the author of numerous STEM-focused books and study guides for K-12 learners and adults. In researching this book, Jane embarked on a journey to New Brunswick and Maine, tracing the route of the Royal Tar. She explored the steep streets of Saint John and gazed out at the docks at Peter's Wharf. Traveling down the coast, she stopped in Eastport, where the Royal Tar spent several days, and continued to Owl's Head Lighthouse, where she looked out at Penobscot Bay and the waters off Vinalhaven, where the ship met its fiery end. Many of the photos in this book were taken during this trip, reflecting her belief in experiencing her stories firsthand.