The Wreck of the Titan

By: Morgan Robertson

Narrated by: Frederick Davidson

Robertson's story, written 14 years before the historic event it presaged, parallels the descriptions and fate of the Titanic with psychic precision. His tale, however, doesn't end with the passengers' watery demise; rather, it chronicles the detective work instigated by members of Lloyd's of London, embroiling Scotland Yard, when word comes in that the heavily insured ship has sunk to the bottom of the ocean.

What ensues is a battle between insurers and attorneys, in London and New York, and a survivor who has rescued another passenger's daughter. Robertson draws upon his own rich and wild experience as a seaman on the Atlantic to weave a narrative interspersed with colloquial dialogue, bringing to life the conflicts between the rich merchants who rely upon shipping and the sailing men relied upon to chart their courses.

Public Domain (P)1998 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Davidson's vocalizations effectively deliver the irony surrounding this mythical voyage. Each characterization complements the individual represented. This novella evokes inexplicable intrigue." ( AudioFile)

glad I have this a listen

another great job by Frederick Davidson. I have a respect for Morgan Robinson after this. I have never heard of him before this book.

Good overview of a little remembered author

Written in 1898, this eerie foreshadowing of the Titanic tragity is interesting in its own right.

But wait, there's more!

It's followed by biographical material, autobiographical and otherwise, of Morgan Robertson that paints an interesting picture of this Edwardian author, inventor, and above all, sailor.

don't expect 5 hrs.

most of this book is about the author.

decent story. needed more. someone go get the ghost of OBrien.

Good but dragged on

The story itself is very good. However, more than 3 hours of just the author (not the story, is too long.

The Wreck of the Titan

My sole purpose of listening was to discern how close it mimicked or was a premonition of Titanic disaster the happened 14 years after this book.

The similarities are uncanny.

The ending about the author dragged on and on but wasn't horrible.
Would definitely recommend.

Dated story with the gimmick that it predated the Titanic disaster by 14 years

The story may be dated but the similarities to the Titanic sinking are eerie. Robertson’s ship is the Titan. It hit an iceberg and sank in the vicinity of the titanic’s wreckage today.

What sets this book apart is the stellar performance by Frederick Davidson, one of Blackstone Audio’s best readers. His work on the Jeeves and Wooster novels by P.G. Wodehouse is genius.

A hidden bonus is the inclusion, after the novella, of biographical sketches of “Morg” himself, including an autobiographical article. These give us fascinating glimpses into Robertson the man, the author, and his times.

The Last Old-Fashioned Writer of Sea Stories

As critically admired and as widely read as he was in his own lifetime, this seems to be the only one of Robertson’s 14 books that has endured – probably due to the creepy prescience of its main action. Though not finding this as gripping as did his contemporaries, nevertheless I admit it’s a well-crafted, well told tale with a nicely rounded finish.

More engaging is the second half of this recording: a series of biographical and autobiographical glimpses of our author (my title is a friend’s description of him). They’re a sympathetic window on a gifted, generous but unhappy man who, with no formal education, made a name (if not a steady income) in the parsimonious publishing world of late 19th - early 20th century New York.

Frederick Davidson’s performance prevails over a somewhat impaired recording, with occasional distortions that obliterate entire words.

Eerie

Where does The Wreck of the Titan rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's incredibly eerie in how similar it is to the Titanic wreck.

What did you like best about this story?

How accidentally accurate it was.

What about Frederick Davidson’s performance did you like?

Excellent reading skliis.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did listen in one sitting.

A gifted but forgotten writer

Morgan Robertson fits the description of the suffering artist. He was a writer, a sailor and an inventor, but not a business man and was therefore exploited by most people who published his work. He never received the recognition he deserved and died as he lived, in poverty.

This prophetic story is very well written. The narrator is engaging. The story is accurately detailed.
In addition to this novella you also get free of charge and not mentioned in the description of this book, a sort of memorial to Mr. Robertson. Short essays written by people who knew Mr. Robertson. Quite a deal.
I hope that Audible records more of this under rated author's work.

couldn't Get thru chap 1. bad narration. ..

I don't really know how to rate it.. I couldn't get thru the first chapter, due to the narration... the story of the titan is at the very least is interesting in contrast to the titanic....