Island of the Lost

Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World

By: Joan Druett

Narrated by: David Colacci

Auckland Island is a godforsaken place in the middle of the Southern Ocean, 285 miles south of New Zealand. With year-round freezing rain and howling winds, it is one of the most forbidding places in the world. To be shipwrecked there means almost certain death.

In 1864, Captain Thomas Musgrave and his crew of four aboard the schooner Grafton wreck on the southern end of the island. Utterly alone in a dense coastal forest, plagued by stinging blowflies and relentless rain, Captain Musgrave inspires his men to take action. With barely more than their bare hands, they build a cabin and, remarkably, a forge where they manufacture their tools.

Incredibly, at the same time on the opposite end of the island, the Invercauld wrecks during a horrible storm. Nineteen men stagger ashore. Unlike Captain Musgrave, the captain of the Invercauld falls apart given the same dismal circumstances. His men fight and split up; some die of starvation, others turn to cannibalism. Only three survive. Musgrave and all of his men not only endure for nearly two years, but they also plan their own astonishing escape, setting off on one of the most courageous sea voyages in history.

©2007 Joan Druett (P)2016 Tantor

Critic reviews

"The amount of detail Druett has amassed is truly impressive, resulting in an invaluable account of survival." ( Booklist)

One of the Best Stories Ever Told!

This true story, in a perfect example of how fact is stranger than fiction, is a breathtaking journey of perseverance, leadership, strength, and camaraderie. Two parties of sailors are shipwrecked at practically the same time in the foreboding and hopelessly remote Auckland Islands. It is 1863. One group is led by a gifted ships captain and talented first mate; the other cast of wayward souls, just 20 miles away, is essentially abandoned by a weak minded, class-focused fool and his equally shiftless second in command. What unfolds is perhaps one of the greatest lessons ever told on the importance of leadership and teamwork. A master of mental imagery, Joan Druett allows the heroes and villains of this unbelievable story to tell their tales in their own words, using her own wonderful, poetic prose to transport the reader to this island chain of cold and hardship. This is a must read for anyone needing to check out of the modern rat race and feel, see, and hear what really matters most in the world--each other.

The shipwreck in the Southern Hemisphere

What a detailed and fascinating recounting of deprivation and dispare, ingenuity and steadfast industry! The men of these shipwrecks displayed their mettle, their cowardice and ultimately their success in making their way by their own efforts to safety. Two shipwrecks, two different manners of coping. The narrator made me think that he was there in some eerie way. His ability to narrate was so helpful, getting the 'manly' emotions just right. Try it, it is a enthralling read.

Story of Perseverance & Survival

A story of Discipline, duty, ingenuity, LEADERSHIP and COURAGE ...one day at a time, don't expect heart pounding excitement.

Wonderfully narrated....

A fascinating, amazing, and terrifying story

I wanted to read this book for years and was delighted to see it come out as an audiobook. I don’t have a particular interest in shipwrecks or maritime stories, but this book highlights how differently people deal with adversity and survive. It is an excellent book made better by a solid performance. I highly recommend it!

Robinson Crusoe of the sub arctic

great story of human perseverance, ingenuity, and historical narrative of sub arctic maritime exploration / less informed profiteering

a true classic

If you like survival stories based on facts, this is a classic. it's basically a shipwrecked story, but the detail they get into regarding their struggles and survival is truly enjoyable to read.

Simply amazing and insightful to the powers of leadership

The story is simply amazing and show how influential leadership can be. And how the leader doesn’t need to be perfect, they just need to lead.

The thing about shipwrecks is...

that they're boring. The most exciting part of this book is learning about the pet parrot that the castaways had and all his little quirks. I sort of pictured this shipwreck happening on a tropical island, but the Auckland Islands seem to be pretty cold and not very interesting. The story reminded me of Bridge on the River Kwai in that the captain takes a lot of steps to keep his crew working and not focusing on their disastrous situation. The dry tone of the narration probably didn't help much and I had a real hard time differentiating the characters. I'm glad I finished it, but the middle seemed to really drag and I was close to returning it and getting a refund.

Great tale well told

Well-paced story that keeps the reader quite engaged from start to finish. Gives a clear understanding—on multiple levels—of the hardships faced by shipwrecked people, especially since you learn what gets done correctly by one group and not so well by the other. Certainly timing played a part, and luck as well, in terms of how the two ship were wrecked and what could be salvaged from each, but ultimately it’s an excellent tale of two [very different] cities, with a lot of useful lessons to learn.

A mostly riveting story-drags toward the end

an incredible story of perseverance by shipwreck survivors. A great contrast between the excellent camaraderie and leadership displayed in one group and the cowardice and backbiting in the other.