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Wreck of the Medusa: The Tragic Story of the Death Raft
The twelve-day ordeal of one hundred men and women stranded on a raft off the coast of Africa in 1816 exposes the madness at the heart of humanity, documenting the mutiny, murder, factional warfare, and cannibalism that occured during this nightmarish ordeal. Reprint.
294 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
44 people are currently reading
664 people want to read
About the author
Alexander McKee
55 books12 followersAlexander McKee was no "yes-man", he dared to criticise many military, political, economic, media and academic icons and he always kept an open mind. He was fanatical about making his works as accurate as he possibly could. He was ever alert to plain-wrong, biased, distorted or sloppy reports and hidden agendas; wickedly delighting (the more so as a self-educated man) in criticising and exposing assertions that did not fit the evidence. Among his targets were those who tended to emphasise media-image-managment, the accumulation of personal wealth and career progression over both personal integrity and respect for other people's contributions. He gleefully highlighted all the many lapses of integrity that he found. Equally, many established experts, often highly educated people and indeed experts regarding the theoretical aspects of their disciplines, but whom he considered scandalously remiss when they complacently failed to complement such theoretical understanding with practical knowledge as a way to test their theories empirically. Consequently, some of them came in for some harsh criticism on occasion. One gets the impression from his work that some of them appeared reluctant to venture outside the academy at all; out into the "real world": let alone to mix with ordinary people. Implicitly, he urged them to converse with the fishermen, the builders, the soldiers, the doctors, the nurses, the shipwrights and the firemen to glean practical understanding from these practical people, who had to be willing and able to carry out the ultimate tests on their theories to provide demonstably working solutions in order to fulfill their typical working roles. Then he urges such experts in the theory to re-test their theories against the empirically derived knowledge gleaned from their excursions among the working classes, and to do so conjunction with their own senses, out in the "real world": rather than limiting themselves and risking their reputations on the results of thought experiments alone. He dug deep into eye-witness testimonies and spent countless hours searching libraries and museums for the documentary evidence surrounding each his-story. One may find this slightly comical that viewed against the background of established caricaturisations, when the elevated "pillars of wisdom", went "building castles in the air" around about the "ivory towers" and he found strong contradictory "real world" evidence he often lambasted them mercilessly, although it does sometimes seem to be overdone. In contrast, he made the point that some of the sloppy documentary historical works such as that of Sir Robert Davis, that temporarily led his own research astray (and much to his annoyance caused him to repeat untruths in public lectures) while causing the propagation of serious errors until he uncovered them, were nevertheless probably a consequence of the pressures of work, owing to the high quality of the rest of the publication.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
April 29, 2014
Originally published in 1974, this is a harrowing account of the grounding of the frigate Medusa off the coast of Africa and the abandonment of the ship by its 400 passengers and crew in seven boats and a poorly-built raft. McKee tells the story in a straightforward way, and he deftly moves the reader from boat to boat as his narrative shifts locations.
The book is a page-turner up until the last few chapters. The plight of the raft is gut-wrenching, and the actions of those who should have been in authority is deplorable in many cases. Had this been a work of fiction, I would have tossed it aside as being utterly unbelievable. But the events are true and are enlightening in light of recent disasters involving cruise ships and ferries.
The book grows weak in the final chapters when McKee attempts to analyse contemporary (for 1974)disasters and what allows people stranded after a disaster to survive. These last two chapters might have made an important separate work, but here they just feel tacked on and trivial. McKee doesn't cite to sources throughout this book, which is nearly forgivable in a popular history, but when he turns to analysis here at the end, his credibility is weakened by not thoroughly citing his sources. (In fairness, he mentions the name and author of one study within the text.)
Read this through the first sixteen chapters, then skim the last two.
The book is a page-turner up until the last few chapters. The plight of the raft is gut-wrenching, and the actions of those who should have been in authority is deplorable in many cases. Had this been a work of fiction, I would have tossed it aside as being utterly unbelievable. But the events are true and are enlightening in light of recent disasters involving cruise ships and ferries.
The book grows weak in the final chapters when McKee attempts to analyse contemporary (for 1974)disasters and what allows people stranded after a disaster to survive. These last two chapters might have made an important separate work, but here they just feel tacked on and trivial. McKee doesn't cite to sources throughout this book, which is nearly forgivable in a popular history, but when he turns to analysis here at the end, his credibility is weakened by not thoroughly citing his sources. (In fairness, he mentions the name and author of one study within the text.)
Read this through the first sixteen chapters, then skim the last two.
January 9, 2018
Insane story. Before diving into this book, it would help to familiarize yourself with the colonization of Senegal throughout the early 1800s. There were no citations in the paperback copy I read. McKee tended to dwell on uninteresting facts without providing a vivid narrative of the story. Not to say the book isn't well written - it is, but many climactic events seem to come out of nowhere thanks to the bland writing style.
The entire story of the Medusa ends halfway through the book. The rest of the novel focuses on the aftermath. While exceptionally intriguing, I wish McKee spent more time on the voyage itself. The second to last chapter is devoted to a painting. The final chapter of the book has nothing to do with the Medusa and describes a plane wreck in the 1970s.
All-in-all, this novel is a very well written documentation of the Wreck of the Medusa; however, reading this book immediately after Erik Larson's "Devil in the White City" left me yearning for more of a romantic narrative. If you are a reader that couldn't care less about that, this book will be perfect for you.
The entire story of the Medusa ends halfway through the book. The rest of the novel focuses on the aftermath. While exceptionally intriguing, I wish McKee spent more time on the voyage itself. The second to last chapter is devoted to a painting. The final chapter of the book has nothing to do with the Medusa and describes a plane wreck in the 1970s.
All-in-all, this novel is a very well written documentation of the Wreck of the Medusa; however, reading this book immediately after Erik Larson's "Devil in the White City" left me yearning for more of a romantic narrative. If you are a reader that couldn't care less about that, this book will be perfect for you.
September 9, 2020
This was horrifyingly tragic. How I wish this hadn't actually happened. What's worse is how the travesty occurred just because the captain blatantly ignored danger.
The accounts in the book are quite detailed and depict the cruel events that occurred before, leading up to, and after the wreck of the Medusa ship. It describes the politics and incompetence of the French captain, which will be sure to frustrate.
My heart ached reading about the hundreds of people floating on a flimsy raft and how they turned against each other in desperation for survival. The chilling accounts of the cannibalism and horrors that occurred were immeasurably horrible to read about.
The only thing about this book that was slightly laborious to go through was the last part of the book, where it mostly deals with the laws and legal aftermath of the wreck. It was very informational, and I think it was very nice for it to be included. It just took me a bit to process it all as I read it.
Overall, this book is very insightful and a great read, though very heavy just due to the tragic nature of how the wreck came to happen.
The accounts in the book are quite detailed and depict the cruel events that occurred before, leading up to, and after the wreck of the Medusa ship. It describes the politics and incompetence of the French captain, which will be sure to frustrate.
My heart ached reading about the hundreds of people floating on a flimsy raft and how they turned against each other in desperation for survival. The chilling accounts of the cannibalism and horrors that occurred were immeasurably horrible to read about.
The only thing about this book that was slightly laborious to go through was the last part of the book, where it mostly deals with the laws and legal aftermath of the wreck. It was very informational, and I think it was very nice for it to be included. It just took me a bit to process it all as I read it.
Overall, this book is very insightful and a great read, though very heavy just due to the tragic nature of how the wreck came to happen.
March 29, 2023
There were no boats, the boats would never come for them. There was no hope. The efforts of some twenty determined men, mostly officers, who had managed to instill a measure of calm and purpose evaporated in an instant. There were shrill cries of terror, hoarse shouts of fury. And then the gale broke on them with sudden and appalling violence, sweeping across the sea. The waves rose mountainously around them, half blotting out the sky.
While I was familiar with the majestic "The Raft of the Medusa" painting, which hangs in the Louvre, I had not known the story behind the art (surprising, since I love disaster/survival/shipwreck stories).
The true horrors, as detailed in the book, are much more harrowing than I had imagined. What makes the story more shocking is how avoidable the situation should have been, were it not for the arrogance and incompetence of the captain and his cronies.
To sum up:
-The Medusa, a French frigate bound in 1816 for an African colony, is captained by de Chaumareys
-de Chaumareys ignores the sound advice of knowledgeable sailors and officers, who know that the coast they are approaching is dangerous. Instead, Captain Competent chooses a random nobody passenger (freshly out from a stint in prison) to help him navigate
-To the reader's non-surprise, the ship runs aground. Though the ship possesses 6 boats which can be used to ferry all passengers by turn, the Captain decides to waste time by building a really cool raft instead (meant to hold 200+ passengers and supplies)
-The rich people are all granted seats on the boats while the majority of the unlucky passengers (mostly sailors, soldiers, and officers) are forced to stand on the raft, which cannot even float. The boats, which had started to pull the raft along after them, soon decide to release the ropes and leave the 150 raft passengers to their deaths.
-Chaos, horror, mutiny, and cannibalism ensue on the raft
I felt immense empathy for the victims of this tragedy, and anger toward the Captain, governor, and all involved in leaving the raft to its doom. The fact that any survivors remained to share their story, after everything they endured, was incredible. It speaks volumes about the human spirit and the type of mental fortitude it takes to survive beyond all hope, to keep oneself from spiraling into despair in the darkest of circumstances.
While I was familiar with the majestic "The Raft of the Medusa" painting, which hangs in the Louvre, I had not known the story behind the art (surprising, since I love disaster/survival/shipwreck stories).
The true horrors, as detailed in the book, are much more harrowing than I had imagined. What makes the story more shocking is how avoidable the situation should have been, were it not for the arrogance and incompetence of the captain and his cronies.
To sum up:
-The Medusa, a French frigate bound in 1816 for an African colony, is captained by de Chaumareys
-de Chaumareys ignores the sound advice of knowledgeable sailors and officers, who know that the coast they are approaching is dangerous. Instead, Captain Competent chooses a random nobody passenger (freshly out from a stint in prison) to help him navigate
-To the reader's non-surprise, the ship runs aground. Though the ship possesses 6 boats which can be used to ferry all passengers by turn, the Captain decides to waste time by building a really cool raft instead (meant to hold 200+ passengers and supplies)
-The rich people are all granted seats on the boats while the majority of the unlucky passengers (mostly sailors, soldiers, and officers) are forced to stand on the raft, which cannot even float. The boats, which had started to pull the raft along after them, soon decide to release the ropes and leave the 150 raft passengers to their deaths.
-Chaos, horror, mutiny, and cannibalism ensue on the raft
I felt immense empathy for the victims of this tragedy, and anger toward the Captain, governor, and all involved in leaving the raft to its doom. The fact that any survivors remained to share their story, after everything they endured, was incredible. It speaks volumes about the human spirit and the type of mental fortitude it takes to survive beyond all hope, to keep oneself from spiraling into despair in the darkest of circumstances.
January 18, 2021
This is an interesting book about a fascinating event. The first half of the book describes the grounding of the Medusa, it's abandonment and the fate of the various parties in their various methods of escape, including the "death raft" of 150 individuals that was immediately cut loose by the other escape craft and left to drift on it's own, half sunk, overloaded, under supplied and dangerously exposed. That story is tense and engaging, and an absolute masterclass in the dramatic and terrible effect poor leadership in a crises can have. The back half of the book is about the aftermath for the survivors, the survivors quest for justice, the trial of the captain, and eventually stories of similar events to add perspective.
I enjoyed the book a lot, but it is laid out differently from how I believe it would be if written and edited now. First there is no bibliography or foot notes, it comes out in the back half that Mckee must have based his on the books and accounts written and collected by a few survivors. I would imagine a book written now would front load that information so you would be aware of how the story is know. For better or worse I also believe the story of the Medusa would be interspersed with the information contained in the back half of the book. If you told the story of the Medusa along side the story of the British frigate that grounded off Indonesia, where the captain maintained discipline in much worse circumstances but saved his crew, it would be thematically stronger. Also including items like the history of the painting The Raft of the Medusa by Gericault in the narrative rather than it's own chapter after the drama of the story is resolved might make it flow better.
Maybe I'm wrong but I would like to see how a modern editor would craft the narrative, what would make the cut and how it would be integrated together.
I enjoyed the book a lot, but it is laid out differently from how I believe it would be if written and edited now. First there is no bibliography or foot notes, it comes out in the back half that Mckee must have based his on the books and accounts written and collected by a few survivors. I would imagine a book written now would front load that information so you would be aware of how the story is know. For better or worse I also believe the story of the Medusa would be interspersed with the information contained in the back half of the book. If you told the story of the Medusa along side the story of the British frigate that grounded off Indonesia, where the captain maintained discipline in much worse circumstances but saved his crew, it would be thematically stronger. Also including items like the history of the painting The Raft of the Medusa by Gericault in the narrative rather than it's own chapter after the drama of the story is resolved might make it flow better.
Maybe I'm wrong but I would like to see how a modern editor would craft the narrative, what would make the cut and how it would be integrated together.
November 4, 2025
This week at Pages of Creative History I've been reading "Wreck of the Medusa: The Tragic Story of the Death Raft" originally published in 1975 and written by popular #british narrative #historian and author Alexander McKee. #maritimehistory #frenchhistory
Nearly fifty years ago, when first published, "Wreck of the Medusa" became an instant #Bestseller in both the U.S. and the U.K. McKee's fast paced #truestory of #shipwreck, survival, cannibalism and moral responsibility has been the source of much controversy just like the fate of the Medusa itself. Some have doubted the veracity of McKee's firsthand sources and some say that he took significant liberties with #historical accuracy when crafting his retelling of the Medusa tragedy.
However, despite these misgivings, "Wreck of the Medusa" remains, to this day, the authoritative work on the famed horrific #French shipwreck off the coast of west Africa in 1816. #africanhistory
Mr. McKee's work reads partly like a #truecrime thriller, partly like an #adventure novel and partly like a real life #horror story. His heart-rending book puts the fate of the Medusa into a deeper historical context by comparing it to other similar #19thcentury shipwrecks and disasters.
The painting shown below is entitled "The Death Raft" and was painted by famed French artist Theodore Gericault in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy in 1818. His painting immortalized the tragic fate of the Medusa for all posterity and is famed for its realism.
#arthistory #19thcenturyhistory #historymatters #historyfacts #seastories #bookrecommendations #booklovers #bookreview #nonfictionreads #historylovers
@topfans
Nearly fifty years ago, when first published, "Wreck of the Medusa" became an instant #Bestseller in both the U.S. and the U.K. McKee's fast paced #truestory of #shipwreck, survival, cannibalism and moral responsibility has been the source of much controversy just like the fate of the Medusa itself. Some have doubted the veracity of McKee's firsthand sources and some say that he took significant liberties with #historical accuracy when crafting his retelling of the Medusa tragedy.
However, despite these misgivings, "Wreck of the Medusa" remains, to this day, the authoritative work on the famed horrific #French shipwreck off the coast of west Africa in 1816. #africanhistory
Mr. McKee's work reads partly like a #truecrime thriller, partly like an #adventure novel and partly like a real life #horror story. His heart-rending book puts the fate of the Medusa into a deeper historical context by comparing it to other similar #19thcentury shipwrecks and disasters.
The painting shown below is entitled "The Death Raft" and was painted by famed French artist Theodore Gericault in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy in 1818. His painting immortalized the tragic fate of the Medusa for all posterity and is famed for its realism.
#arthistory #19thcenturyhistory #historymatters #historyfacts #seastories #bookrecommendations #booklovers #bookreview #nonfictionreads #historylovers
@topfans
August 23, 2025
I can divide the book into 3 parts, first part is setting the political context, then the event itself, and third, the legal fallout.
Of course, the most compelling part is the event itself. The author did well in describing it, to the point that I was gasping in outrage and horror, even 200 years after the event. I didn't think that the first part belaboring all the political and governmental context was necessary, it got technical and slogged the story. The same with the legal fallout, it was long and technical, but also by then the reader is invested in seeing the bad actors in this horrific event rendered justice upon. I decided to just turn to other sources to find the eventual legal outcome since McKee's description was taking so long.
The very last chapter describing another incident in the 1970s is entirely unnecessary. I give this 3 stars for the excellent middle part, and if you don't mind skipping pages or skimming, then definitely read it because of the vividness of McKee's narrative of the actual event.
Of course, the most compelling part is the event itself. The author did well in describing it, to the point that I was gasping in outrage and horror, even 200 years after the event. I didn't think that the first part belaboring all the political and governmental context was necessary, it got technical and slogged the story. The same with the legal fallout, it was long and technical, but also by then the reader is invested in seeing the bad actors in this horrific event rendered justice upon. I decided to just turn to other sources to find the eventual legal outcome since McKee's description was taking so long.
The very last chapter describing another incident in the 1970s is entirely unnecessary. I give this 3 stars for the excellent middle part, and if you don't mind skipping pages or skimming, then definitely read it because of the vividness of McKee's narrative of the actual event.
October 21, 2018
In 1816, an envoy of ships sailed from Rochelle, france headed for St Louis, Senegal, to replace the English government there with a French one. Command of the lead ship was given to an incompetent aristocrat, because of political policy at the time. Like much incompetent management world-over, this buffoon, because of stupidity in a relatively unchallenging situation, managed to run his ship into a sandbar. Worse, he cowardly saved his life and those of VIPs aboard, while abandoning more than half of his ship's inhabitants to horrid travails, cannibalism, and death. Politicians tried to quash the truth, when the few survivors told the story of the Captain's cowardice, but it would eventually out.
If you despise humans who sell their souls for money and/or power, this book will add to your despising. Or, you can try to pity them, because really, though they strive so heartily to do so, and give up so much, they can never be happy, and end badly.
If you despise humans who sell their souls for money and/or power, this book will add to your despising. Or, you can try to pity them, because really, though they strive so heartily to do so, and give up so much, they can never be happy, and end badly.
January 4, 2019
Quite a captivating read. I had a hard time again putting this one down and finding myself angered with the actions of the captain and officers on board, the cowardice, lies, etc, to protect their own asses for lack of a better word.
This is no surprise though as we still see examples of this even today from our "ruling" class. Thank God we still have many officers though that would not follow the atrocities committed here.
What I found very compelling was the outcome of the trials and the comparisions of the human interaction and reactions if put in similar survival sircumstances even today. Examples of similar circumstances are provided and some you will be familiar with as you progress thru this interesting section. This book had been on my read list for quite a while and I'm glad I finally digested it. A powerful and compelling read.
This is no surprise though as we still see examples of this even today from our "ruling" class. Thank God we still have many officers though that would not follow the atrocities committed here.
What I found very compelling was the outcome of the trials and the comparisions of the human interaction and reactions if put in similar survival sircumstances even today. Examples of similar circumstances are provided and some you will be familiar with as you progress thru this interesting section. This book had been on my read list for quite a while and I'm glad I finally digested it. A powerful and compelling read.
February 13, 2018
An absolutely fascinating and harrowing book describing the true story of something that even the most imaginative Hollywood screenwriter could not invent.
I completely disagree with some of the previous comments that the latter portions of the book are irrelevant or filler. I think it is perfectly normal and appropriate to try and make sense of the psychological aspects of what happened on the raft by comparing it to subsequent scenarios.
One of the most disturbing aspects of the book is the turmoil that the raft survivors went through after they were rescued and the absolutely disgraceful denial and continued lack of shame of those whose decisions caused the tragedy in the first place.
I completely disagree with some of the previous comments that the latter portions of the book are irrelevant or filler. I think it is perfectly normal and appropriate to try and make sense of the psychological aspects of what happened on the raft by comparing it to subsequent scenarios.
One of the most disturbing aspects of the book is the turmoil that the raft survivors went through after they were rescued and the absolutely disgraceful denial and continued lack of shame of those whose decisions caused the tragedy in the first place.
January 31, 2023
3.5 Stars.
This book reads like disaster crossed with True Crime. There is so much human incompetence in this story, that the final third of the book is a look at how the people in charge of the Medusa were punished, and who was given blame.
The story of the wreck and the raft is violent, and even more tragic because it was easily avoided at several stages. It was interesting learning the history of France at the time, so the reader gets a snapshot of context. The sections detailing what happened on the raft, and in the boats, are full of the worst side of humanity.
A good read for anyone interested in shipwrecks or disasters, gets a bit dry towards the end with all the legal stuff though.
This book reads like disaster crossed with True Crime. There is so much human incompetence in this story, that the final third of the book is a look at how the people in charge of the Medusa were punished, and who was given blame.
The story of the wreck and the raft is violent, and even more tragic because it was easily avoided at several stages. It was interesting learning the history of France at the time, so the reader gets a snapshot of context. The sections detailing what happened on the raft, and in the boats, are full of the worst side of humanity.
A good read for anyone interested in shipwrecks or disasters, gets a bit dry towards the end with all the legal stuff though.
February 17, 2022
Absolute page-turner! Especially stark is the comparison drawn towards the end of the book with the story of Alceste and how capt Maxwell handled a similar crisis differently. The ship is but a metaphor. The opposition that year happened to compare the fate of Medusa to that of France herself; but you can compare it to multiple scenarios and see parallels in men and their behavior during an unfolding crisis. One can either be a 'Chaumareys' or be a 'Maxwell' and that can make all the difference.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2021
Absolutely fascinating read, the suffering of those abandoned on the 'death raft' is one of the most vivid accounts of near hell on earth. All the more troubling as this actually happened. Fortunately those who behaved atrociously are occasionally offset by those who committed heroic acts/sacrifices. I can't believe I had never heard of this historical event before. The authors contextualising of the events within post revolutionary French society is also brilliantly done. Highly recommended.
May 12, 2019
For me, a can't put it down book, especially as the book continues; the farther in, the more I wanted to finish it.
Actually includes some "research" at the end, detailing a couple similar shipwrecks and some analysis of similar behaviors among people put in similar extreme circumstances and how they handled it differently and where the similarities in behavior were.
Actually includes some "research" at the end, detailing a couple similar shipwrecks and some analysis of similar behaviors among people put in similar extreme circumstances and how they handled it differently and where the similarities in behavior were.
August 10, 2019
Interesting story!
This was an incredible story. I wasn't a big fan of the writers style. It's seemed very haphazard and scattered to me. It was tough to get through on account of that.
This was an incredible story. I wasn't a big fan of the writers style. It's seemed very haphazard and scattered to me. It was tough to get through on account of that.
March 12, 2020
McKee’s narrative of the Medusa tragedy is off-beat and written as if composed in the 19th century. Lines such as, “the high-strung French tend to be more aggressive and nervous anyway.” makes you question his analysis of the missteps leading to the disaster.
September 22, 2018
Overall good book, could do without the last few chapters
September 2, 2019
An interesting investigation and exploration of a horrific true story.
May 22, 2021
I could not put this down. Truly. The only time I did not read was when I was asleep. Great book and very insightful.
August 14, 2021
Quite an awful story.
Read
June 11, 2022Read through the shipwreck and rescue. Chapter 11
October 8, 2023
Pretty crazy story but I didn't feel that engaged. I've read a lot of shipwreck books and this was average
February 26, 2017
2.5 Stars I love a good survival story, and this one is certainly up there, but I wish the author had done a better job with it. The story (not the author's fault) is so frustrating as an incompetent captain runs his ship aground off of West Africa, and then leaves a raft with 150 survivors on it behind. Only 14 men survive. I was worried when right off the bat when the author dated a major naval battle of the French Revolution 10 years early. My main problem with the book was that the author had a decent 150 page book, but decided to stretch it out to 300 by talking about a painting based on the wreck and then several other shipwrecks. Still, a very interesting story that is not well known, so I'm glad I read it.
August 5, 2015
This book tells the true story of a notorious shipwreck. In 1816, the frigate Medusa left France with close to 400 passengers and sailors for the colony of Senegal on the west coast of Africa. Through an amazing display of incompetence, the ship ran aground on a known sandbar about 40 miles from shore near where the Sahara Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean. During the ensuing evacuation of the ship, approximately 150 people were abandoned on a makeshift raft that had little chance to make it shore intact.
The main tragedy of the Medusa was that it was completely avoidable. The only reason the captain was not executed or murdered on the spot was because his decisions were the result of gross incompetence as opposed to deliberate malice.
The wreck occurred not long after Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo and the restoration of the French monarchy. As a result, former exiled French royalists, such as the captain of the Medusa, were reintegrated into the French government and navy. Rather than rely on his officers who were Napoleon supporters, the captain took the advice of one of the passengers who was not a professional sailor but who claimed to have knowledge of the surrounding waters. Even after the ship became stranded on the sandbar, the hull remained intact for several days. During that time, they could have freed the ship from the sandbar (had they been more organized) or even ferried passengers to shore using the large lifeboats. Once the hull breached, the people in charge panicked and ordered a hasty evacuation of the ship even though the ship was still stuck on the sandbar and was not sinking.
The raft that was supposed to carry 150 people was so overloaded that water would come up to people's waists. When it proved to be too unwieldy to tow, the lifeboats carrying the remaining sailors and passengers abandoned them. Less than 15 people on that raft would survive.
The author presents the story in very a straightforward factual manner and allows the inherent drama of the events to unfold naturally. However, the book doesn't really know where to go once the events have passed their most climatic parts. The later chapters compare the wreck of the Medusa to other shipwrecks and survival stories and even describes how this event inspired one of the most famous paintings of the time. However, these chapters seem like afterthoughts and don't seem to tie in well with the rest of the book.
The main tragedy of the Medusa was that it was completely avoidable. The only reason the captain was not executed or murdered on the spot was because his decisions were the result of gross incompetence as opposed to deliberate malice.
The wreck occurred not long after Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo and the restoration of the French monarchy. As a result, former exiled French royalists, such as the captain of the Medusa, were reintegrated into the French government and navy. Rather than rely on his officers who were Napoleon supporters, the captain took the advice of one of the passengers who was not a professional sailor but who claimed to have knowledge of the surrounding waters. Even after the ship became stranded on the sandbar, the hull remained intact for several days. During that time, they could have freed the ship from the sandbar (had they been more organized) or even ferried passengers to shore using the large lifeboats. Once the hull breached, the people in charge panicked and ordered a hasty evacuation of the ship even though the ship was still stuck on the sandbar and was not sinking.
The raft that was supposed to carry 150 people was so overloaded that water would come up to people's waists. When it proved to be too unwieldy to tow, the lifeboats carrying the remaining sailors and passengers abandoned them. Less than 15 people on that raft would survive.
The author presents the story in very a straightforward factual manner and allows the inherent drama of the events to unfold naturally. However, the book doesn't really know where to go once the events have passed their most climatic parts. The later chapters compare the wreck of the Medusa to other shipwrecks and survival stories and even describes how this event inspired one of the most famous paintings of the time. However, these chapters seem like afterthoughts and don't seem to tie in well with the rest of the book.
May 21, 2011
In July of 1816, a year after the final downfall of Napoleon, a convoy of four French ships were to sail south for a settlement on the African coast that was in the process of being turned over by the English to the French. They were to stay together for safety reasons, even though the ships had different speed capabilities. Certain parts of the African coast was (and still is) largely uncharted, so ships would sail south well away from the coast to avoid shallows and reefs. But a combination of weakness and pride led the Medusa straight into them. First, the captain of the Medusa sped off to leave all but one ship behind. That ship stayed with the Medusa as long as the captain dared, but finally sailed west into more open waters. The other two ships did not even attempt to sail close to the shore. These three ships found their destination without mishap. The fate of those aboard the Medusa was one of complete horror. The sad part is that no one need have suffered, no one should have died, had the established leadership in place contained the smallest amount of moral fiber. Alexander McKee does an excellent job telling the story from the various view-points of the participants, using and quoting survivors’ first-hand accounts. Some were lucky enough to get a place on the lifeboats, though they still suffered greatly, or at least you’ll think so until you read the account of the 150 plus people who were abandoned at sea.
This book highlights the danger of a weak character, particularly of those in leadership positions, as well as the importance of the virtues of hope and fortitude.
This book is not a pleasant one to read; it is very frank in describing the horrors that the castaways were unwilling participants of. However, it is addictively interesting and thought-provoking; impossible to put down.
This book highlights the danger of a weak character, particularly of those in leadership positions, as well as the importance of the virtues of hope and fortitude.
This book is not a pleasant one to read; it is very frank in describing the horrors that the castaways were unwilling participants of. However, it is addictively interesting and thought-provoking; impossible to put down.
June 20, 2016
This is an astonishing tale. Nowadays the general public is inundated with heroic stories and actions to the point of seeming routine, but heroism is not commonplace and there is no better light than throwing courageous actions in contrast to their opposite. The tale of the Medusa is an excellent reminder that cowardice, incompetence, and indifference all retain their place in the human condition. This is a must-read for Francophiles, Mariners, those acquainted with Senegal, and would-be leaders of all types. I appreciated Chapters 14-18 as they provided groups in similar circumstances in Modern and the Napoleonic eras. The book can be a bit slow in the more dense details of the events, but I do not begrudge the author the inclusion of so many details as they really build an astounding, and almost unbelievable narrative - especially the court martial proceedings following the survivors' return to France.
"They had been tried in the only court that counted—that of a real character-revealing emergency—and had failed miserably. They would have done better to have died with their men."
"They had been tried in the only court that counted—that of a real character-revealing emergency—and had failed miserably. They would have done better to have died with their men."
March 28, 2016
This book is an interesting take on a story I was completely unfamiliar with, the fate of the Medusa. A harrowing shipwreck tail. The actual story of the how and what is included in the first half of this book the last half being mostly made up of aftermath, specifically the politics -- this was certainly the least enjoyable portion of this book. In the last chapters of the book the author takes on, surprisingly, two other aspects of the tale of the Medusa that I thought would also be boring (as I found the politics to be) ... but instead I found these closing sections fascinating .... The Medusa's impact on the world of ART (yes, I'm not making that up) and the Medusa's vast similarities to human reactions in several other harrowing circumstances throughout history since the time of the Medusa wreck.
A very good book if your interest in disaster tales revolves around the human aspects of going through such experiences.
A very good book if your interest in disaster tales revolves around the human aspects of going through such experiences.
June 9, 2016
Interesting book, based on true history of the French ship the Medusa, who set sail in 1816 from France to the port of Senegal to reclaim the settlement from the British. The Medusa led a small fleet.
The story is hard to imagine, as the Medusa's captain was not competent, he took navigation advise from a fraudulent individual, and eventually sank the ship miles off the west coast of Africa.
The resulting tail is one of bad decisions, irresponsibility, and the horrible misery of those lost at sea. A raft was constructed and some 150 people put aboard it to be towed, then left to drift at sea with no food or water. The result was not pretty. Suicide, murder, and cannibalism of those left behind.
The author then goes in to the psychological patterns that make up such a result, citing much more recent events. I could have done without this part of the book.
The story is hard to imagine, as the Medusa's captain was not competent, he took navigation advise from a fraudulent individual, and eventually sank the ship miles off the west coast of Africa.
The resulting tail is one of bad decisions, irresponsibility, and the horrible misery of those lost at sea. A raft was constructed and some 150 people put aboard it to be towed, then left to drift at sea with no food or water. The result was not pretty. Suicide, murder, and cannibalism of those left behind.
The author then goes in to the psychological patterns that make up such a result, citing much more recent events. I could have done without this part of the book.
January 15, 2015
A disaster that didn't have to happen; a ship's command that had been chosen according to political connections, not practical experience, hubris in ignoring the navigation advice of sailors, and a panicked, not reasoned, abandon-ship order that cast 150 passengers and crew into what became a barely-floating cage match. Crew that chose to stay on board the stricken ship passed their days comfortably, unaware that they'd dodged a deadly and horrific ordeal floating just beyond their view.
A stunning scandal for post-Revolutionary France and a thought-provoking read on human nature when left without good guidance.
Included this account to provide a slightly different perspective to Jonathan Miles' book on the same event.
A stunning scandal for post-Revolutionary France and a thought-provoking read on human nature when left without good guidance.
Included this account to provide a slightly different perspective to Jonathan Miles' book on the same event.
March 16, 2016
Can't help myself. My mom recommended it. She knows me too well...
Are you inexplicably drawn to stories that depict horrific human suffering? Do you enjoy reading about pompous and incompetent French naval commanders getting their comeuppance? Are you intrigued by tragedies that influence art movements? Are you disgusted by French colonialism in Africa and the havoc it wreaked in the 19th century? If you answered YES to any of these questions...
I loved every minute of this book with the exception of the chapter about the legal ramifications of the tragedy. Compared to everything else, that stuff was just boring. I'm left with this question...How do people endure extreme circumstances and survive? How?
Are you inexplicably drawn to stories that depict horrific human suffering? Do you enjoy reading about pompous and incompetent French naval commanders getting their comeuppance? Are you intrigued by tragedies that influence art movements? Are you disgusted by French colonialism in Africa and the havoc it wreaked in the 19th century? If you answered YES to any of these questions...
I loved every minute of this book with the exception of the chapter about the legal ramifications of the tragedy. Compared to everything else, that stuff was just boring. I'm left with this question...How do people endure extreme circumstances and survive? How?
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