Overdue - The Story of a Missing Ship by Harry Collingwood AUDIOBOOK

Harry Collingwood’s "Overdue - The Story of a Missing Ship" is a maritime narrative set at the height of the clipper ship era, when swift sailing vessels still carried passengers, cargo, and news across the world’s great oceans. The novel unfolds in an age on the cusp of technological transition, as powerful steamers begin to contest the supremacy of streamlined clippers, yet remain costly novelties reserved for a privileged few. Through the eyes of Philip Troubridge, an apprentice midshipman aboard the celebrated Gold Star Line clipper Salamis, listeners are ushered into a world of taut canvas, shimmering brass, and the relentless, often perilous, contest with wind and sea.

Collingwood, himself a master of nautical adventure, crafts an authentic and atmospheric tale, brimming with the daily routines and sudden dramas of life at sea. The story is steeped in the technical language and customs of sailing, rendered with an immediacy that speaks to the author’s own maritime experience. Atmospheric descriptions evoke both the grandeur and the isolation of these long ocean passages. The author dwells not only on the awe-inspiring spectacle of sapphire swells and milk-white canvas, but also on the camaraderie, loss, and resilient spirit of passengers and crew alike.

Themes of duty, loss, and human endurance underlie the narrative, as the Salamis faces not only the caprices of weather but also the ever-present specter of tragedy at sea. A sudden accident, expertly detailed, sets a somber tone and hints at greater mysteries to follow. The novel’s sea-worn setting, authentic shipboard detail, and a sense of looming adventure make this a rich listening experience for admirers of classic adventure, historical fiction, and maritime lore alike. Collingwood’s prose is both conscientious and lyrical, inviting listeners to contemplate the beauty and danger of an age nearly vanished, yet rendered almost palpable through his steady hand and observant eye.

Audiobook time & format : 8h5m18s, OPUS, 380 Mo
Audiobook free extract time & format : 5m (see below to listen), WAV
Instant Access After Checkout - Professionally Generated Audio

More Harry Collingwood audiobooks