The Fearsome Island

Albert Kinross (1870 - 1929)

No ordinary sailor's tale, this. Based allegedly on the real experiences of Silas Fordred, Master Mariner of Hythe, this is a story of shipwreck on an uncharted island and his supernatural adventures there with a witch, a hairy man, and various devilish devices and traps. The author, Kinross, adds an appendix purporting to explain the marvels which Fordred encountered.

Kinross claims to have stolen the sailor's original account from Hythe Town Hall while helping the Town Clerk to sort newly discovered old papers. This is credible, as it is well-known that there were many such documents rescued from destruction in the late nineteenth century. The names of Fordred and his shipmate Snoad are also old-established Hythe families. However, even if Fordred's account is mentioned in the annals of Hythe Borough, it is impossible to know how much was invented by Kinross. "Believe or doubt!" the author says. Much as I would like to believe, I know which way I incline. (Introduction by Ruth Golding)

Genre(s): Action & Adventure Fiction, Fantastic Fiction, Nautical & Marine Fiction

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 00 0 - Preface and Introduction Ruth Golding
00:06:13
Play 01 1 - Chapter I Ruth Golding
00:23:12
Play 02 2 - Chapter II Ruth Golding
00:27:02
Play 03 3 - Chapter III Ruth Golding
00:28:23
Play 04 4 - Chapter IV Ruth Golding
00:37:41
Play 05 5 - Chapter V Ruth Golding
00:18:03
Play 06 6 - Chapter VI Ruth Golding
00:27:24
Play 07 7 - Appendix Ruth Golding
00:07:01