Mary Ann’s husband Joshua was captain of the merchant ship Neptune’s Car. Together, they shared a dream of putting the dangerous life of seafaring behind them, starting a family and building a farm. A deadly voyage from New York, around South America, and finally to San Francisco was all that stood in their way. But Joshua became desperately sick as they approached the treacherous waters of Drake’s Passage. Against all odds, command fell to Mary Ann. The question was, would the men follow her? Or would they mutiny and kill her? Tilar Mazzeo joins us to tell the tale of Mary Ann Patten.
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Tilar Mazzeo | Writer and historian. Her book, “The Widow Clicquot: The True Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It,” was adapted into a film in 2023. Her latest book is “The Sea Captain’s Wife: A True Story of Mutiny, Love, and Adventure at the Bottom of the World.” [Amazon|Bookshop]
Airdate: March 3rd, 2026