The Ship, the Saint, and the Sailor

The true story about a shipwreck discovery, exciting explorations, broken alliances, and returning a lost piece of Alaskan history. Since its sinking in 1860 while transporting a valuable cargo of ice, the Kadyak ship had remained submerged underwater and faded in Alaskas memory, covered by the legend of an experienced but perhaps rusty sailor and a broken promise to a saint. At the time the ship had been under command of the well-recognized Captain Illarion Arkhimandritov, who had sailed in Alaskan waters for years. It seemed a simple task when he was asked to placate superstitions and honor the late Father Herman, or Saint Herman, on his next visit to Kodiak Island. But Arkhimandritov failed to keep his promise, and shortly thereafter the Kadyak met its demise in the very waters the captain should have been most familiar withleaving just the mast above the water in the shape of the cross, right in front of the saints grave. Presumed gone or else destroyed, it wasnt until 143 years later that the Kadyak was found. In this riveting memoir, scientist Bradley Stevens tells all about the incredible discovery and recovery of the shipdeciphering the sea captains muddled journal, digging through libraries and other scientists notes, boating over and around the wreck site in circles. Through careful documentation, interviews, underwater photography, and historical research, Stevens recounts the process of finding the Kadyak, as well as the tumultuous aftermath of bringing the legendary ships story to the publicfrom the formed collaborations to torn partnerships to the legal battles. An important part of Alaskas history told from Stevenss modern-day sea expedition, The Ship, the Saint, and the Sailor reveals one of the oldest known shipwreck sites in Alaska discovered and its continuing story today.