Overdue The Story of a Missing Ship

Overdue: The Story of a Missing Ship by Harry Collingwood throws listeners into a tense, salt-soaked mystery aboard a drifting emigrant vessel in the age of the clipper. Set in the mid-19th century when sail still battled steam and the Suez Canal was only a future rumor, this seafaring fiction captures life at sea with authentic technical detail—Collingwood was a naval architect—and a sharp ear for sailors’ humor. When a 17-year-old midshipman from the Salamis is tasked with taking charge of the abandoned Mercury, he confronts a crew unfit for navigation, dead officers, and the inscrutable vastness of the ocean. The novel blends coming-of-age leadership, maritime adventure, and the practical challenges of seamanship without ever giving away its twists. Rich descriptions of deck work, rigging, and life under sail bring the clipper era vividly to life, while themes of responsibility, courage, and survival run through the narrative. Ideal for fans of sea stories, nautical fiction, and historical adventure, Overdue rewards listeners who enjoy precise nautical detail, brisk pacing, and old-fashioned seafaring suspense—perfect for anyone craving a classic maritime yarn on audiobook.