Show Notes
It's 1857. A clipper ship is headed into a monster storm at Cape Horn- the most dangerous waters on earth. The captain is in a coma; the first mate is locked up in the brig. Who can lead the ship through the jaws of death?
Mary Ann Patten, a pregnant 19-year-old from the Boston slums, that's who!
Katie brings us a love story and incredible adventure- and all of it really happened.
Our guest is bestselling biographer (and sailor!) Tilar Mazzeo, author of The Sea Captain's Wife.
_________________________________
What'sHerName TOURS are open for registration - come join us!
Music in this episode: "Monumental Journey" by Jesse Gallagher; "Drunken Sailor" by Cooper Cannell; "Rolling Hills" by Sir Cubworth; "American Frontiers" by Aaron Kenny; "Golden Cage," "Frightmare," "Midnight Trace," and "Devil's Organ" by Jimena Contreras; "Fall of the Solar King" by Twin Musicom; "Sea of Doom" by Doug Maxwell; "Tributary" by Lish Grooves; with clips from Sea Songs Medley 1913 at the Library of Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
More from What'sHerName
They're usually billed as piracy's most famous female double act. But how did Anne Bonny and Mary Read find their way from obscurity and scandal to become the 17th century's biggest "open secret" - and how did they really feel about their lives, their shipmates, and each other?
350 years ago in Paris, Marie-Catherine d'Aulnoy retired from espionage and formed a Fairy Tale Resistance. Her team of women wrote over 70 fairy tales, each with hidden critiques of patriarchy and gender roles. We now know their stories as Rapunzel, Beauty and the Beast and more. But in their original versions, strong women saved themselves.
Goldie Griffith lived at least a dozen different lives. From preteen boxer in a sketchy snake-oil show, to bronco-riding superstar of the world-famous Buffalo Bill Wild West, to accidental bigamist and bartender - Goldie dived headlong into every new endeavor with her trademark fearless enthusiasm.
When 18-year-old Clare fled her family to become the world's first Franciscan nun, she committed to a lifetime of poverty, austerity, and caring for the poor. But when a powerful man tried to rewrite all the rules, Clare was faced with an impossible choice - defy the Pope or deny her own conscience. Then when Princess-turned-Abbess Agnes of Bohemia learned of Clare's struggle, she too joined the fray - two nuns against the patriarchy in the fight of their lives.
Savannah Georgia is famous for its stunning historic architecture and unmatched Southern vibe. Basically all of it was saved from the wrecking ball by seven women, who saw the bulldozer and decided to Do Something About It.