Long before women had the right to vote, earn money, or have lives of their own, 'she captains' - bold women distinguished for courageous enterprise on the high seas - thrilled and terrorized their shipmates, performed acts of valor, and pirated with the best of their male counterparts.
From the warrior queens of the sixth century B.C. to the female shipowners influential in opening the Northwest Passage, 'She Captains' brings together real-life cast of characters whose audacity and bravado will capture the imagination.
In her inimitable style, Joan Druett paints a vivid portrait of real women who were drawn to the ocean's beauty - a danger - and dared to captain ships of their own.
Contents:
Introduction
1. The Warrior-Queens
2. The Valkyria
3. Mistress Cowtie and the Pirates
4. Pirate Queens
5. Captured by Corsairs
6. The Widows
7. Bonny and Read
8. 'The Naked Truth'
9. Ship's Business
10. Fatal Shores
11. Fatal Impact
12. The Deceit of Dress
13. Decently Skirted
14. War Bride
15. Women of War
16. Nelson's Women
17. Voyages of Discovery
18. To the Rescue!
19. Northwest Passage
20. Ice Queens
21. A Woman at the Helm
Editorial Note
Sources
Index
Review:Druett is as valued for her jaunty storytelling as she is for reclaiming the forgotten lives of seafaring women ... Maritime lore has always been rich in romance and suffering; Druett's revelations increase its fascination tenfold - Donna Seaman, Book
