REH’s Writings

WritingPermanent catalogue Work

Ship in Mutiny

7textual states11Characters

Genres

Pirate AdventureSpicy

Introduction

Ship in Mutiny was not published during Howard’s lifetime. The story survives in more than one developmental state, including an early draft and an untitled synopsis, allowing the finished story to be compared with earlier versions.

Summary of the story spoilers

"Ship in Mutiny" is a thrilling adventure tale set against the backdrop of the South Seas, featuring a mutiny, a daring rescue, and a battle for survival. The story begins aboard the Saucy Lass, where a mutiny led by Big Joe Croghan abruptly unfolds with the murder of the mate. Raquel O'Shane, the captain's girl, witnesses the act and alerts Wild Bill Clanton, the captain, who immediately springs into action.

Despite the initial surprise, Clanton's formidable fighting skills allow him to momentarily turn the tide against the mutineers until he is overwhelmed and thrown overboard. Meanwhile, Raquel, after an attempt to escape leads to her jumping overboard, finds herself on the shores of a mysterious island, Atua. Here, she claims to be a goddess to the native Polynesians but is soon exposed by Tanoa, the half-breed king with European education and a ruthless demeanor.

As Raquel faces peril in Tanoa's hut, Clanton, having survived his plunge, makes his way to the island, determined to rescue her. He encounters Lailu, the deposed queen of Atua, who proposes an alliance to overthrow Tanoa and regain her throne. Together, they plan to arm themselves with hidden guns, but the plan falters when the weapons are missing.

The narrative shifts back to the Saucy Lass, now anchored near Atua, as Tanoa's warriors attempt to take the ship. Raquel, despite an injured ankle, manages to alert Clanton to the ship's presence, providing a glimmer of hope. In a desperate move, Raquel lures Tanoa away from his warriors, setting the stage for a climactic confrontation between Clanton and Tanoa, ending with Tanoa's death and Clanton's triumph.

The mutineers on the Saucy Lass, now leaderless with Croghan's demise, plead for Clanton's return. Lailu, seeing her chance to reclaim power with Tanoa's death, asserts her dominance over the islanders. Clanton, choosing Raquel over a kingship with Lailu, decides to leave Atua to escape the British warship still hunting them.

Textual states

Shown in a practical developmental order where possible: synopsis/outline, numbered drafts, submission states, then published or posthumous states. This display order does not itself assert exact chronology or textual authority.

SynopsisUntitled synopsis (Ship in Mutiny)

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Draft 1Ship in Mutiny

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Draft 2Ship in Mutiny

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Draft 3Ship in Mutiny

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Draft 4Ship in Mutiny

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DraftShip in Mutiny (draft)

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Primary textShip in Mutiny

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Comparison between draft and final story

The detailed comparison between the first draft and the final story of "Ship in Mutiny" reveals several notable changes and developments in the narrative, characters, and thematic elements. Here's a detailed comparison:

Title

First Draft: The ship is referred to as the "Lazy Lass."
Final Story: The ship's name is the "Saucy Lass," indicating a possible thematic or tonal shift to a more adventurous or daring narrative.

Opening Scene and Mutiny

First Draft: The mutiny begins with Big Joe Croghan striking the mate with a handspike, similar to the final story. The initial confrontation and Raquel's discovery are also consistent.
Final Story: Enhances the dramatic tension and stakes of the mutiny with additional details about the characters' reactions and the violence of the mutineers.

Characters

First Draft: Introduces key characters such as Raquel O'Shane, Big Joe Croghan, and Wild Bill Clanton. The character motivations and relationships are outlined but with less depth.
Final Story: Further develops these characters, providing more depth to their motivations and backgrounds. Additional characters like Tanoa and Lailu are introduced, adding complexity to the narrative.

Setting and Plot Development

First Draft: The narrative quickly moves to the island encounter, focusing on Raquel's deception as a goddess and her subsequent capture by Tanoa.
Final Story: Expands the island setting, introducing political dynamics (Tanoa's usurpation of Lailu) and the conflict with the native warriors. The plot is enriched with Clanton's struggle to rescue Raquel and the battle with Tanoa.

Themes and Motifs

First Draft: Begins exploring themes of loyalty, betrayal, and survival. The emphasis is on the action and immediate consequences of the mutiny.
Final Story: Deepens these themes, also exploring colonialism (through Tanoa's education in Europe and his rule over the island), power dynamics (Lailu's dethronement and plan for revenge), and identity (Raquel's feigned divinity).

Resolution

First Draft: Concludes with the defeat of Tanoa and the mutineers' willingness to accept Clanton's leadership again. The narrative closes on the ship, hinting at future adventures.
Final Story: Offers a more complex resolution, including the reestablishment of Lailu's rule, the death of Tanoa, and Clanton's decision to leave with Raquel despite the temptation to stay as king. This ending provides closure to the island conflict while leaving the characters' future open-ended.

Overall

The transition from the first draft to the final story shows significant development in narrative complexity, character depth, thematic exploration, and emotional engagement. The final story offers a more nuanced examination of power, identity, and the consequences of violence, set against a backdrop of adventure and romance. The changes enhance the story's impact, making it a richer and more compelling tale of mutiny, survival, and love.