The Wreck of the Grosvenor

By W. Clark Russell

A brutal sea captain, an inhuman chief mate, and an indignant crew set out to sea together—an obvious equation for disaster. This is the gripping tale of this voyage, and of Mr. Royle, the mild second mate who rises to the occasion, overcoming mutiny and shipwreck in an attempt to save the lives of two innocent civilians.

• Language: English
• Publisher: McBooks Press
• Release date: Sep 1, 1998
• ISBN: 9781590133408

Reviews for The Wreck of the Grosvenor

[stbalbach_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Wreck of the Grosvenor (1877) was the most popular mid-Victorian melodrama of heroism and adventure at sea, according to Johnathan Sutherland. Russell was admired by Joseph Conrad and the similarities are striking. Russell is at best good genre fiction - Conrad took it to a new level. If your looking for an easy to read 19th century sea tale with heroic deeds, evil captains, epic storms, salty old seamen who would stick ya, this is probably one of the best. It's not high literature but the action is non-stop and it feels authentic. Its portrayal of the heroin is hilarious at times but instructive of how far we have come. All around good light fun with a forgotten classic of the 19th century.

[schmerguls · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have wanted to read this book for years and when I came across a copy I was glad.. The book was first published in 1877. apparently by Dodd, Mead * Company.. The copy I read was published by Grosset and Dunlap but no year of publication is shown in the book. It starts out very excitingly and event is piled on event, including a rescue of a beautiful woman and her aged father and a murderous mutiny. There is a fierce storm, but after the mutineers leave the ship the story becomes didactic and overly sentimental and its very predictable conclusion made the book less satisfactory. , There is a lot of sailing ship language which certainly suggests the author knew a lot about sailing ships but adds nothing to the enjoyment of the story.