The Story of the First Woman to Helm a Merchant Ship episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 5, 2026 · 16 MIN

The Story of the First Woman to Helm a Merchant Ship

from All Of It with Alison Stewart · host WNYC

The new book The Sea Captain's Wife: A True Story of Mutiny, Love, and Adventure at the Bottom of the World tells the story of Mary Ann Patten, who became the first woman to captain a merchant ship in the 19th century after her husband fell ill in the midst of a voyage. Author Tilar J. Mazzeo discusses the book. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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The Story of the First Woman to Helm a Merchant Ship

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The new book The Sea Captain's Wife: A True Story of Mutiny, Love, and Adventure at the Bottom of the World tells the story of Mary Ann Patten, who became the first woman to captain a merchant ship in the 19th century after her husband fell ill in...

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