The Sea Captain's Wife - Tilar J. Mazzeo

Non-fiction but I read a fair bit of narrative nonfiction and even better if it’s about 18th or 19th century sailing, shipwrecks, and/or mutiny. This book recounts the true story of Mary Ann Patten, who became the first female captain of a merchant vessel. In the summer of 1856, the nineteen-year-old Mary Ann and her husband Joshua embarked on a race to San Francisco aboard the Neptune's Car. When Joshua fell gravely ill and a mutinous first mate threatened the crew, Mary Ann assumed command, navigating the ship through an 18-day gale while traversing Drake's Passage near Antarctica.

The author draws on what little archival research she could find of Mary Ann and Joshua’s life from nineteenth-century maritime journals, plus her own expedition to the Southern Ocean.

It was a quick read and I have some quibbles with how she presents some details but overall, it’s a fascinating story and Captain Mrs. Patton seems to have been more or less forgotten in the 20th century so I’m glad I read this book. (Also, the Pattens were from Maine!)