The Custom of the Sea: A Shocking True Tale of Shipwreck, Murder, and the Last Taboo

by Neil Hanson

"The nightmarish events of the shipwreck are reported with real power."-New York Times Book Review

Adrift at sea, your food and water gone, you are slowly starving to what would you do to survive?

On May 19, 1884, the yacht Mignonette set sail from Southampton, England, bound for Australia. Halfway through the voyage, the crew were beset by a monstrous storm off the coast of West Africa, and the Mignonette was sunk by a massive forty-foot wave. Cast adrift a thousand miles from landfall with no food or water and faced with almost certain death, the captain resorted to a grisly practice common among seamen of the the "custom of the sea." While the others watched, the captain killed the weakest of them, the cabin boy, and his body was eaten. In this riveting account of the ordeal of the crew and the sensational trial that followed, Hanson recreates the shocking events that held a nation spellbound. Drawing from newspaper accounts, personal letters, court proceedings, and first-person accounts, he has brilliantly told a tale rife with moral dilemmas.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Maritime, Survival, Adventure, Biography, Historical

404 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

It's been a long and winding road... since graduating with a degree in philosophy (now that's useful...) I've been by turns plasterer's mate, holiday camp redcoat, ice cream salesman, exhibition organiser, art critic, rugby league commentator, freelance journalist, editor of the Good Beer Guide, owner of the highest pub in Great Britain and - finally! - a full-time author. It may not be an ideal career path, but it's given me a wealth of experiences that I draw on constantly in my own work.

I'm the author of over 50 published books. Under my own name I usually write narrative non-fiction a.k.a. popular history (though my sales figures suggest that it's never quite as popular as I'd like it to be...), but I have also written a serious novel, a few thrillers, two screenplays, travel writing and even a play-script for a musical as well. And in my day job as a professional "ghostwriter" I've written over forty other books, including a New York Times Number One best-seller.
I've spoken about my work at lectures, writers' festivals and other events all over the world and, when not writing, I'm often to be found riding my bike in the country around my home on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really hope I never end up floating in the middle of the ocean, in a small boat, with 3 other people, without food or water. And I hope that if I do, I'm not the guy that gets eaten. This is quite a story, and pretty darn good book. I am a fan of maritime history...but I think anyone could find this book interesting. Having read a lot of exploration and maritime history I have learned a lot about how terrible a lack of food and water can be. And about the things people have done to survive. But the men in this book, unlike the others I read, are held accountable. A dark yet riveting tale. Good book. And I learned that if you ever need to resort to eating someone to survive, when you're rescued, tell them the person died BEFORE you ate them. Even if it ain't true.

[P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply put: a harrowing story.

[Pamela Mikita · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for better, I loved the stories of the Karluk and the whaling ship Essex. This pseudo nonfiction was way too dramatized. I wished the author included a map of the ships route which I have come to expect with book of this nature. So much detail about the ships rigging was written I felt a diagram is the ship and her sails would have been helpful as well. The last half dragged and I skimmed most of it. The phrase "the custom of the sea" was used so much I wanted to get my shot glass out and start a drinking game.

[Asha Stark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never had even the remotest interest in anything naval, mariners, sailing; any of it. BUT, I think Hanson's Unknown Soldier is one of the best books ever published and I recommend it to everyone so when I saw this by him, I figured why not?

Great decision. I learned a lot from this book, though a lot might already be known to anyone with an interest in the topic, I came away glad I'd read it.

Also, the English justice system really has always been like that huh

[Kelsey Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book that both told the story of the shipwreck through 1st person narrative and the fallout that no one saw coming. This book had me in its clutches and wouldn't let me go until i finished reading about the indignities heaped upon these men and what they had to suffer through so others could further their own agendas, ignoring the fact that these were men who'd just suffered a tragedy themselves. (shivers)
100% read this book if you are into shipwrecks survival stories.

[T0 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Raskasta luettavaa. Toisaalta, eipä ihme kun kirjailija on käyttänyt lähteenään runsaasti 1800-luvun brittiläisten oikeusistuimien pöytäkirjoja. Tarina sinänsä mielenkiintoinen, kirjassa puidaan käräjillä vanhaa merimiesten tapaa pistää haaksirikon sattuessa ja ruuan loppueassa joku onneton merimies ns. lihoiksi ja parempiin suihin.

[MaryG2E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neil Hanson is a journalist, and he has the skill to write about serious, non-fiction topics in an accessible way. I found this book to be very interesting. In very particular circumstances it has been an accepted convention that a person may be killed for food in order to keep the majority of a group alive in desperate situations. Legally sanctioned cannibalism??

[Karyl · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1884, Captain Tom Dudley set sail in the yacht Mignonette, bound for Australia, with a crew consisting of Edwin Stephens, Ned Brooks, and Richard Parker. The yacht was old and not really seaworthy enough to sail all the way to Australia, but Dudley was an experienced yacht captain and felt he could make it. Unfortunately, on the 5th of July the Mignonette was swamped by a huge wave during a storm, and the men abandoned ship for the dinghy. Twenty days later, with no more food or water, the sailors were struggling to stay alive. It was decided that the youngest sailor, Parker, would be sacrificed to help the other survive, considering he was the closest to death. Dudley cut his throat, and he, Stephens, and Brooks drank Parker’s blood and ate of his flesh. Four days later, they were rescued by the German ship Moctezuma, and spent the next six weeks aboard recovering as the ship made its way back to England.

While I initially picked up this book because it fits into my genre of “sad boat,” once I started reading it I found it difficult to put down again. Hanson’s writing is so vivid, that one almost feels like they’re there with the men, seeing their struggles to survive with no water and no food. When the Moctezuma arrives on the scene, the reader wants to stand and cheer because now these men will return home to their families! And then they’re put on trial for the murder of Parker, and the unfairness of the situation becomes clear.

I have to say I’m very disappointed with the English courts of justice in this time period. It’s also mind-blowing that at the time, defendants were not allowed to speak in their own defense; it was believed that if guilty, they’d lie to get out of any conviction, so whatever they said couldn’t be believed. I was furious with the sham trial that Dudley and Stephens had to endure (Brooks had been let off if he would testify against his mates); the judge had already decided their fates before the trial had even begun. Murder is wrong, no doubt, but there are also times where taking the life of another may be justified.

I would have given this book five stars but for the extended discussion on the trial. Much of it is reproduced in the text, and being from the 1880s it’s dry and difficult to follow along at times. I would much prefer to have had a summary of the trial in more modern terms.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating narrative that is easy to read. However, the author states "This is not an academic treatise and the text has not been burdened by footnotes" (306). He also states, "...all the events are true or, when re-created, are based on contemporary accounts and the similar experiences of other ship-wrecked sailors" (305). While I do live for footnotes, I understand a popular non-fiction book trying to limit the amount of them. That said, when a book has so many detailed scenes including lengthy direct-quote-filled conversations, it would be nice to have something (end note?) that helps the reader find out where these came from. He does a good job of indicating which newspapers he's quoting, though that is often sans date, but much of the rest of it (while presumed to be from the various contemporary accounts) would read much more convincingly valid if they had citations. I honestly docked the stars for that. I actually do think this was both well-written and well-researched, you just can't completely prove the latter based on in-text attributions, which caused me to have to deduct in my rating.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells the story of the yacht Mignonette, which left South Hampton on May 19, 1884, heading for Australia. At some point on the voyage, the yacht ran into severe weather off the coast of West Africa. A massive forty foot wave slammed into the yacht, sinking it. The crew were adrift at sea in a small emergency life boat. Adrift at sea with no supplies or hope of rescue, the captain made the decision to murder the youngest member of the crew, Richard Parker, who was delirious from hunger and thirst. Without giving away much more about their experiences, the crew took part in "the custom of the sea".

I love disaster books, and I would say that this particular shipwreck counts as a disaster book. I had never heard of this particular shipwreck situation before. I found this book at my local used book store for a dollar, which is my favorite type of purchase. I was pleased with the writing style of this book, as well as the attention to detail. I enjoyed this book. If you are into naval history or shipwrecks, I would recommend checking this one out if you get a chance.

[Nick · Rating 2 out of 5]

This really is a tale of two parts. Part 1 of the book is brilliant. A gripping, harrowing tale of shipwreck and survival.

Unfortunately, the author moved on to Part 2, which is painfully slow and tedious. He spends pages and pages and pages giving examples of cannibalism is shipwrecks, when a few select examples would have sufficed. He quotes news articles and letters at tedious length, and goes into mundane, minute details about the judge’s background and English court history. It gives the impression that Hanson was trying to reach a word or page goal, and accomplished it like an undergraduate student writing a term paper - filling pages with unnecessary detail and quotations.

Also, Hanson refers to all characters by last babe, except for Capt. Dudley, who he refers to as “Tom.” It’s a stylistic difference, but it annoyed me to no end.

[Alissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. Learning about the various shipwrecks, the case of the Mignonette, and other aspects of ship life were great. My only problem with the book was that it was trying to be both a narrative and a nonfiction report at the same time. It did both too much for the other to be successful. The earlier chapters were good about "this chapter is story" and "this chapter is research", but the second half is not defined as well and makes it a bit messy to distinguish. The reference and quotations of so many primary sources is wonderful. If you liked In the Heart of the Sea, this book will be right up your alley.

[Yosh Han · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is so dark. I was on a sailing trip in Mexico when I found this book at one of the marina's in the lending library. I had no idea what kind of book it was and then to find out the sad story of the four guys who became shipwrecked and adrift. Then just the captain and his young crew. As a blue water sailor, it's always frightening to be in heavy weather but I cannot imagine being away from everything and having nothing, thinking you're going to die.

It was interesting historically to learn about the customs of the sea and the case that determined the end of cannibalism. I didn't like the prose since it was basically written like in Old English or something.

[peter david mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A harrowing tale.

An easy give stars for a book that covers every aspect of the disaster in intricate detail. The author delivers a detailed account of the voyage and displays clear knowledge of sailing in all conditions. The characters of the crew members are dealt with in a none preferential way, however you become more concerned with the fate of Tom Dudley. Some readers may find the aftermath tiresome to read but this was a landmark case with every passage relevant to give a clear picture. Highly recommended.

[Kim S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall very good and hard to put down - I finished it a lot quicker than I expected. A very powerful, moving story. The lengthy 19th century court discourse and legalese were a little dry, and some of the courtroom chatter might have been better as summaries vs. verbatim... those were the only things that kept this from getting 5 stars.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written, horrific true story. But it isn't just about this case - the author provides a lot of background, details and information on the culture of this era and the law as it was being reshaped. Terrifying but awfully good read!

[Janice · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was interesting until I got to the part when the deed was done. I knew it was coming, but it was so graphic, I had to put the book down. I could not go on, I knew it would give me nightmares.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Held my interest

This book was well written. I didn’t know most of the sailing terminology but it didn’t keep me from enjoying the interesting and sometimes gruesome events that occurred.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great read if you're interested in nautical history. It's a combination of fact and fiction, pieced together in a very compelling book.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to set aside when the forlorned stranded sailors began to see steaks and chops in each other . Up until the sinking I give it a 3 star rating

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping true story about a shipwreck on the high seas and the resulting tragedy that set the law in Britain on the “custom of the sea”. You will have to read it to find out what that is.

[Angelam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well researched and told. Got into the legal weeds in the 2nd half.

[Richard Herbig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting historical narrative

Well written with much detail. Great story.
Makes one appreciate how much we today enjoy safety and comfort in ocean travel,

[Andrea Freilich · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating book. Regardless of the era, powerful politicians appear to care only for their personal gain.

[Jade Stenhouse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of hard to keep track since its old but always like the gruesome parts.

[Jeanette Mackey]

L0,

[Dan Para · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read. Not just the story itself but the trial and history of similar acts is compelling and fascinating.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1884, Captain Tom Dudley and his three-man crew were aboard the Mignonette, a small yacht they were delivering from England to Australia. Hit by a rogue wave in a storm, the Mignonette sank, leaving the four men in a 13-foot dinghy with two cans of turnips and little else--no other food and no water--in the middle of the Atlantic. After nearly two weeks, Dudley announced they would have to resort to "the custom of the sea": drawing lots to decide who would be sacrificed and eaten to save the others. Two crewmen argued against lots, pointing out that the young cabin boy, Richard Parker, was delirious and on the verge of death. Dudley refused to kill the boy, and a few more days passed. Finally, on the 19th day adrift, Dudley killed young Parker while his crew watched. Three days later, the three survivors were rescued. Upon their return to England the three men were arrested and charged with murder.

This is a fascinating story because up until this point, it was very unusual for sailors who resorted to "the custom of the sea" to be prosecuted; it was held that the experience of being adrift in the ocean and having to resort to survival cannibalism was punishment enough. Indeed, when Dudley and his remaining crew returned to England, the consensus among the maritime community was that their survival was heroic and they should be treated with kindness and even approbation. The only action that other sailors questioned was that the crew didn't go through the motions of drawing lots. In reality, this seems to have been a mere formality, rather than a truly fair lottery -- Hanson's research revealed that regardless of the drawing of lots, those who perished due to the custom of the sea were nearly always the weakest and those lowest on the societal totem pole. But the crew's failure to uphold the illusion was considered to be bad form.

I was sort of surprised by how much sympathy I ended up having for the men, particularly Dudley, who seems to have been a very decent sort. It's a fascinating ethical conundrum, because on the one hand, I can understand why the government felt the need to prosecute -- I can understand why the British government shied from actually appearing to condone murder and cannibalism. But I felt deep sympathy for the men and their predicament, and I can't honestly say I know I wouldn't participate in such extreme measures myself in the same situation.

[Karen Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an extraordinary book that tells the true story of the Mignonette, a yacht that set sail from Southhampton in 1884 heading to Sydney. Enroute, the ship endures a terrible storm that, after four days, finally destroys it. The survivors take to a smaller craft where they float, without food or water for twenty fours days. When they're finally rescued, only three men have survived, but they have a terrible tale to tell - a tale that sees them taken to court and not only their lives put on trial, but the old custom of the sea as well.

Riveting, heartbreaking and shocking, Neil Hanson takes us on this disastrous voyage while also referencing others throughout history. But, it's this doomed voyage that brings to the public's horrified attention a practice that has been going on since ancient times, a custom that allows those who survive a shipwreck a chance.

Written in tight, unsentimental prose, Hanson manages to recreate the conditions the men endured - the monstrous storm, the fear, the hope, the suffering as they slowly die of thirst and starvation, and watch their dreams being dashed. He also explores the growing awareness of the survivors who, in order to survive, have only one choice left to them. It's a tale of what desperate men will do in order to cling to life and the sacrifices some will make - willingly or unwillingly to ensure that happens. Hanson manages to retell a shocking tale in a swiftly paced, imaginative way, but without sacrificing facts.

I couldn't put this book down.

[Nancy Oakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The difference between this story and other "shipwrecked at sea; out on the open ocean, had to eat one of the survivors" type stories is that the author goes on with what was at the time an incredibly sensational trial of the Captain and the other 2 survivors of the wreck of the Mignonette. Up to that time in history if crew members had to resort to "the custom of the sea" by drawing lots as to who would die for the good of the others, they were not held accountable for their actions since most people understood that they were in dire straits and had to do this to survive. However, the captain of the Mignonette, a Tom Dudley, upon his arrival back to terra firma told his story and expected to be home for dinner that night, was instead held for murder along with the two other survivors of the shipwreck. The author has done a great deal of research into the wreck, the trial and the aftermath and put it all together into this very well-written book.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the topic.