An entire U.S. Navy ship and not a single adult on board. This is the story of Sailing the Graveyard Sea by Richard Snow. It was the only U.S. Navy mutiny in history and it is as bizarre as any seaborne tale I have ever read (and I have read quite a few).

I always feel that nautical narratives need to be economical. When an author tries to explain too many terms to us landlubbers, it usually comes off as a tangent at best and boring at worst. The best immerse you in the seafaring life and then get to the core of the story. Luckily, Snow nails this portion and I never felt taken out of the story. Snow keeps the action moving and adds flourishes when needed.

The actual mutiny itself lives up to the hype. I will avoid spoilers, but there are a lot of twists and turns where you may feel very conflicted when all is said and done. When some of the best authors alive at the time can't agree, then you know this is truly a divisive event in history.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Scribner Books.)

I have been on quite a "boat" kick this year [shipwrecks and all] and when I saw this one, even though it was not a shipwreck, the title completely intrigued me and I added it to the list.

Well-researched [I will be searching out more books by this author to read], this is a story of boys [were they just "being boys"? Were they really pirates?], their superiors [many who were only a few years older than their charges], a new ship and the love [and hate] of going to sea. A mutiny, punishment and a court-martial trial that divided a closely knit group of men and left everyone involved floundering and leaves even us questioning everything we just read. The one good thing that came out of all of this was the development of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis and the beginning of the great Navy this US now enjoys.

To be honest, I am just not sure what I am feeling over this book - I DO know that I will be thinking about this one for days, as I work out just what I learned and what was found and even then, I am not sure I will ever know just what I believe.

Thank you to NetGalley, Richard Snow, and Scribner for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Before reading this book, I had never heard the story of the attempted mutiny aboard the US Warship Somers in 1842 or Commander Alexander Slidell Mackenzie. Mackenzie reported when the ship reached port in Brooklyn, that 3 crew members had been hanged after the mutiny was prevented. But, later, it came out that the execution of the 3 crewmen may have been unlawful and that perhaps there had been no mutiny at all.

This book outlines the history of the ship, the men involved, and the very public court martial that followed.

Wow! What a tale! I'm not sure how I never heard of this incident! I enjoyed reading this account. The author presents the story of a training mission gone wrong using transcripts from the court martial. It makes for a very interesting read! Snow writes the facts in a very interesting way and the story kept my attention from start to finish. What a strange and very public case that definitely split opinions in its time. Some felt Mackenzie was a hero, and others thought he was a complete villain in the incident.

Definitely a story I did not know at all before I read this book. I'm glad I learned the history of this naval incident and the good it eventually brought about that strengthened the U.S. Navy.

I will definitely be reading other books by this author!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Scribner. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

Interesting subject matter, and a fascinating read for those with knowledge and interest of Navy history. The level of detail in this book was beyond expectations! It's obviously very well researched. For me, there was a little too much background info provided...it seemed to take a long time to get to the actual mutiny/hanging/trial. I can see how the people of the time would be highly interested in the trial and following it closely! This book would be best loved by avid readers of maritime history and/or nonfiction books.

Very interesting. I had never heard of the Somers before. The ending dragged a bit, but overall I enjoyed it a lot!

Sailing the Graveyard Sea details an interesting chapter in U.S. naval history. Was there really a mutiny aboard the USS Somers, or did Commander Alexander Mackenzie overreact? Acting Midshipman Philip Spencer, son of the Secretary of War, was spoiled and self-indulgent and much too in love with a book detailing the history of pirates... but was he really the ringleader of a mutiny? Fortunately, some good did come from this entire mess: the public was so disgusted with Mackenzie's training cruise that the U.S. Naval Academy was founded in Annapolis.

Author Richard Snow's research is exhaustive, and I did learn a great deal; however, his writing style-- cut-and-dried, and stuffed to the gills with dusty facts-- was a chore to read and I often found my attention wandering. All in all, lots of excellent information on this chapter of U.S. naval history, but if you like your historians to craft a book that reads like the best fiction, you'd be better off going elsewhere.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

Overall, a very solid read that I both enjoyed and learned a lot from.
The writing style leans towards being narrative which I believe always makes non-fiction easier to read and more accessible. The book tells the story of events, takes your through the court martial, and then invites you to form your own opinion.
The use of so many primary sources was both a plus and a minus. The use of quotes allowed sections of the book to read as a story. It reads as if you were really there, listening onboard the ship or sitting at the court martial. However, the language style of the 1840’s reads of the times and can be slightly more challenging to digest. I had to read most of this book at a slower pace then I normally do.
As someone who as enjoyed many other non-fiction books during the Age of Sail, this was an excellent addition to that list.

When a navy ship arrived with three dead mutanis members Eliza Small, Samuel Cromwell and Jonathan Spencer on board the captain was touted as a hero and a brave seamen The New York papers couldn’t say enough about Captain McKenzie and even compared him to the bravery of ancient Warriors from the day of Ceaser. And if not for he and his cruise fast thinking the SS summers would’ve been taken over by the evil Phillips Spencer and his cohorts and turned in to a thieving pirate ship. Unfortunately truth Captain McKenzie‘s reputation and eyewitnesses would prove this wasn’t the story at all. With a narrative of True Crime that reads like fiction Ian courtroom testimony this book brings you from beginning to the end in conclusion we even learn about the early days of Philip Spencer who was the secretary of war John Spencer and we also learn about how Captain McKenzie got his abusive reputation. I do believe Richard snow did a wonderful job researching and writing this True account about a young boy who would be villainized for dreaming of the same thing other young boys dreamed of butter in this case the evil doers do not get away with it I think the author did a great job writing this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it and totally recommend that I love love loved it and if you love great history stories then you will definitely love this book as well. I want to think Scribner and Net Galley for my free Ark copy please forgive any mistakes I am blind.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Scribner for an advance copy of this book dealing with the only mutiny in United States Naval History and the many mysteries and controversies that are still unanswered.

Most kids dream of being pirates. Lost Boys and Girls sailing the stealing ships, robbing the rich, cannons to the left, sword play to the right. Most grow out of these dreams, but for some the idea of freebooting on the open seas and taking treasure is hard to get rid of. In our more modern day these people become tech leaders or vulture capitalists, with letters of marque from politicians paid for in bribes. In the 1800's though the Golden Age of piracy had long been over, there was still the idea, that a ship could be taken be a few men, and wealth could be had as well as villainy. These thoughts might have lead to the first and only mutiny in the United States Navy. Or maybe it was just a dream spoken aloud, with words that can never be uttered on the open seas. Sailing the Graveyard Sea: The Deathly Voyage of the Somers, the U.S. Navy's Only Mutiny, and the Trial That Gripped the Nation, by writer and historian Richard Snow, is a look at this little discussed mutiny, the mysteries that remain, and the reasons why the subject has been down played by history.

In 1842 the United States Navy had no real school or training facility for their officer core, so very young officers were trained the way navies always trained, at sea. The USS Somers was a newer boat, a brig and in addition to carrying dispatches to Africa, with many young men on board, sailing for the first time, as midshipmen. The Captain Alexander Mackenzie was a man of letters whose book about his service in Spain was carried on all naval boats in their library. Mackenzie was also a fan of punishment, for even the most minor of actions. The punishment was flogging, with either the famed cat of nine tails, or the colt, which was a piece of 1 inch rope, used to beat the men on their backs. A midshipman with a famous father, Philip Spencer, whose father was the current Secretary of War, was a boy that might not have been suited for navy life. He was brash, quick to anger, and already in trouble for striking a superior, a problem the Navy avoided by moving him to the Somers. Spencer made friends among the officers and crew, supplying them with cigars, and alcohol, which Mackenzie was against. Soon the atmosphere of the boat began to change, the crew all feeling that something was going to happen. And one day Spencer made a comment, that drew a lot of attention. And tragedy.

As a person who loves history, I was completely unaware of this mutiny, the first and only in Navy history, at least at sea. After reading the book, one can understand why, for the story is far more complex than just a simple mutiny, and joining pirates. Richard Snow is a very good writer, keeping this story clear, and the research Snow has done is quite impressive. Trial transcripts, journals, lost letters, books, newspaper articles, bring both the story and trial to life. One can see why the navy wouldn't want this well known, as mutiny is probably not something they would be proud about. However as Snow writes, there is a lot more to this mutiny than it looks. One innocent man might have been killed, either because of the Captain's paranoid fear, or his wanting to have a hanging, or maybe because there was a plot to seize the ship. Snow really navigates the story well, no doldrums here. A really masterful history, about a subject I knew nothing about, but now want to know more.

Recommended for readers of naval history, even naval fiction, for the life of sailors, and the navy of the 1800's. There are many interesting facts, as well as a truly riveting historical event that not many know about, that will sadly remain a mystery for all time. A great book to find under the tree, or to give to that lover of history.

This was a wonderful book. Anyone who likes stories about things that go on on the high seas will love this one.

What a fascinating insight into the US Navy's only mutiny. This was a learning experience for me. I enjoyed the writing as well as the cover art. I'll be recommending Sailing the Graveyard Sea by Richard Snow to all history and military buffs.

Thank you to Netgalley and Scribner for the opportunity to review an eARC.

The Somers Mutiny is not a story I’ve ever heard of, but was intrigued from the title of this book. I am not a naval buff, but I do enjoy a good seafaring tale. This was well-researched by the author and presented all sides fairly, which I can definitely appreciate. I think the author could have summarized a bit more rather than relying on other works to tell the story. A lot of citations here! I understand there is a duty to cite an author’s work, but some chapters were a bit heavy handed on the quotes. That did pull me out of the story every now and then and I felt myself glancing over some of the writing.

I have read a few books about shipwrecks and was a little familiar with the workings of the ship, but thought this book could’ve delved a little deeper into the workings of the ship. Even though the ship itself is not the plot of this book, it is the main stage.

All in all, I enjoyed getting to know the crew of the Somers (not so much the captain). I would definitely read more on this subject or any other seafaring work the author produces. I give this a 3.5/5 stars.

**Book Review: The Forgotten Mutiny Unveiled**

*Sailing the Graveyard Sea* by Richard Snow takes you on an exciting journey into a lesser-known event from history—the only mutiny in the history of the United States Navy. The story has the thrill of a murder mystery and the drama of a courtroom trial, making it as exciting as the popular novels by Patrick O'Brian.

The story goes back to December 16, 1842, when a ship called the Somers anchored in Brooklyn Harbor after a training trip. But things went horribly wrong. The ship's captain, Commander Alexander Slidell Mackenzie, said he stopped a mutiny that could have killed him and his officers. He arrested a few people, including Samuel Cromwell, Elisha Small, and Philip Spencer. But what really happened? Did they really try to take over the ship, or was there something else going on?

Snow tells this story by looking at what people said during a trial and by using other old records. He makes the events come to life, so you can feel like you're there. The story is like a puzzle—there are different pieces, and you have to put them together to figure out what really happened. Snow lets you decide for yourself whether these guys were mutineers or if they were treated unfairly.

The best thing about the book is how Snow makes history interesting. He explains things well, but sometimes he gets too caught up in the details. There are parts that might feel a bit boring because he's trying to make sure everything is exactly right. Also, the story doesn't have a big exciting moment, which might make you want to keep reading.

Even with these small problems, *Sailing the Graveyard Sea* is a good book. It tells you about a part of history that not many people know about, and it helps you understand how things were back then. If you like history and you want to know about what happened on that ship long ago, this book is a good choice.

Sailing the Graveyard Sea had evaded my reading list on several occasions. Despite catching my attention each time it crossed my path, a certain hesitation persisted, largely due to the title's initial impression. However, upon realizing that the author behind this work is none other than Richard Snow, who has written the premier work on the Disney Theme Parks ever in "Disney's Land," I was compelled to reevaluate my reservations. Snow's remarkable skill in meticulous research and the art of presenting candid perspectives became evident in his previous work, thus establishing a foundation of credibility.
Upon retrospection, a notable facet of "Sailing the Graveyard Sea" emerges – my own ambiguity concerning the central issues depicted within the book. The narrative revolves around the execution of three men charged with mutinous intentions aboard a vessel, and a trial which ensued following the hangings despite the absence of any realized mutiny. Contemplating the matter, I find myself oscillating between potential viewpoints. On one hand, aligning with the captain's standpoint, I am inclined to speculate that Spencer, one of the accused, might have harbored clandestine intentions to embark on a pirate's path. Conversely, the evidence presented seems susceptible to subjectivity and the instigation of consensus. An alternative hypothesis arises – the targeted nature of the three accused men might have stemmed from their perceived insular disposition within the crew. It is noteworthy that Spencer displayed a certain youthful jest, which prompts reflection on whether his fate would have diverged aboard a different vessel or under alternative circumstances.
From the vantage point of my profound intrigue in pirate lore, I empathize with Spencer's position. The concise yet comprehensive portrayal of pivotal individuals involved in the Somers mutiny, along with the ensuing judicial proceedings, constitutes a key strength of this narrative. However, if pressed to express any reservations, my sole contention would pertain to the choice of title.
"Sailing the Graveyard Sea" warrants consideration as a work of intriguing historical examination, seamlessly delving into the intricacies of maritime discord and subsequent legal ramifications. While my personal affinity for pirate history resonates with Spencer's circumstances, the narrative encapsulates a broader spectrum of dilemmas and perspectives.

Richard Snow’s “Sailing the Graveyard Sea: The Deathly Voyage of the Somers, the U.S. Navy's Only Mutiny, and the Trial That Gripped the Nation” (ISBN 9781982185442, Publication Date 21 Nov 2023), earns four stars.

The second USS Somers was a brig in the United States Navy during the administration of President John Tyler. Somers was launched at the New York Navy Yard on 16 April 1842 and commissioned on 12 May 1842, with Commander Alexander Slidell Mackenzie in command. It became infamous for being the only U.S. Navy ship to undergo a mutiny which led to executions. However, there were other “mutiny-like” events.

One involved the USS Kitty Hawk riot, which was a racial conflict between white and black sailors aboard the United States Navy aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk on the night of 12–13 October 1972, while positioned at Yankee Station off the coast of North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

In two other instances, the Port Chicago disaster was a deadly munitions explosion of the ship SS E. A. Bryan that occurred on July 17, 1944, at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine in Port Chicago, CA. Munitions detonated while being loaded onto a cargo vessel bound for the Pacific Theater of Operations, killing 320 sailors and civilians and injuring 390 others. Approximately two-thirds of the dead and injured were enlisted African American sailors.

A month later, unsafe conditions inspired hundreds of servicemen to refuse to load munitions, an act known as the Port Chicago Mutiny. Fifty men—called the "Port Chicago 50"—were convicted of mutiny and sentenced to 15 years of prison and hard labor, as well as a dishonorable discharge. Forty-seven of the 50 were released in January 1946; the remaining three served additional months in prison.

So, back to the USS Somers, Commander Alexander S. Mackenzie reported that he had prevented a mutiny. Some of the mutineers were under guard, but three had been hanged, including one, Acting Midshipman Philip Spencer, whose father was the Secretary of War, John Spencer.

As a retired officer with a 37-year career in the US Armed Forces, what was notable to me was the absolute lack of due process and the lack of other protections exacerbated by the absolute authority of the ship’s captain. Such circumstances would be unimaginable today. The other thing that struck me was how senior government authorities neither insisted on any protections for those accused or for any member of the crew, nor took any steps to remedy such grievous conditions and process.

This interesting account was a fascinating telling of this terrible episode and while the author sometimes lost his way in detail less relevant to the telling, it was nonetheless a fascinating and polarizing moment in history even then as now.

Thanks to the publisher, NetGalley Shelf App (EPUB), for granting this reviewer the opportunity to read this Advance Reader Copy (ARC), and thanks to NetGalley and Kindle for helping to make that possible.

[Will hold Goodreads review until November 2023 per Scribner request]

4.5 stars

An engrossing and engaging critical history of the U.S. Navy’s only mutiny to result in executions, and the court-martial of the commanding officer who hanged the alleged ringleaders. Snow quotes the relevant historical figures directly, explains dated terms, puts his quotations into context, provides evidence of the various biases a quoted figure likely held, and makes educated but reserved guesses at a truth nearly 200 years old. The text is superbly researched but still trips along at a very readable pace, and is written in a way that hooked me. I was chilled by Spencer’s alleged plot as recounted to Wales (who testified against him), and equally chilled by the actions undertaken by Mackenzie and Gansevoort (commander and first lieutenant of the Somers) in response and retaliation. The text raises challenging questions about the duties and limits of power in times of crisis and fear in a way that is never overtly connected to but still feels relevant to the problems of today. A gripping read for anyone interested in the age of sail, and to readers of Melville and Patrick O’Brian interested in trying out nonfiction.

As an avid history enthusiast who typically leans toward video or articles to dive into history, I took a leap of faith when I decided to delve into Sailing the Graveyard Sea by Richard Snow. Little did I know that I would uncover an interesting breakdown of the harrowing events surrounding the U.S. Navy's only mutiny and the ensuing trial that captured the nation's attention, but I feel like it has disappeared with time.

Snow introduces readers to a historical narrative that, surprisingly, I feel has hidden with time even tho it has such an impact on how things changed from that moment forward for the Navy and how quickly people trust stories from open water. Snow's ability to break down and present the sequence of events is commendable, particularly considering my limited exposure to nonfiction literature. He manages to make a complex historical account digestible and engaging, catering to readers like me who may not be "living" in the genre.

However, it is worth noting that at certain points, the book tends to become dry and overly reliant on factual accuracy. While I understand the importance of staying true to the historical record, I felt that Snow could have injected more creativity or paraphrased certain sections to heighten the sense of intrigue and captivate readers further. Although it remained informative, there were instances where a more enthralling approach would have elevated the overall reading experience.

Despite these minor drawbacks, Sailing the Graveyard Sea is a commendable work that sheds light on a significant yet to the common person overlooked chapter in naval history. Richard Snow deserves credit for his ability to make a complex narrative accessible to readers with varying levels of interest in nonfiction. While I reserve higher ratings for books that flawlessly balance accuracy and entertainment, this book certainly merits a respectable 3.5 out of 5 stars. For history enthusiasts seeking a compelling dive into naval mutiny and its aftermath, Sailing the Graveyard Sea is worth exploring.

I want to preface this review by stating that I am HUGE fan of historical nonfiction. However, this was my first venture into historical nonfiction surrounding nautical crimes from the 1800s. This is also my first time reading anything by this author. Therefore, going into reading this book, I wasn't exactly certain what to expect. After finishing, I decided to give this title 4 stars, rounding up from what I believe to be a solid 3.75/5 rating. Some thoughts on strengths and weakness of the title are listed below:

STRENGTHS: The author clearly conducted extensive research to complete this book, as evidenced by the fact that he draws on many testimonials from individuals who experienced the events first-hand, or participates in the trails that occur following the events. He expertly weaves the testimonies of those individuals and his own opinions to create a story that presents a factual view of the attempted mutiny that occurred aboard the Somer. The book is presented in a unbiased way, allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions from the book as to the authenticity of the views of MacKenzie and others.

WEAKNESS: Personally, I felt that this book lacks a climatic moment that one typically expects in stories. Additionally, the author relies at some points in the story very heavily on source materials, which makes the materials somewhat dull in places. Lastly, I found that additional contextual information may have been helpful for the readers, especially those not typically drawn to nautical nonfiction.

Overall, the book was interesting to read, and I enjoyed learning more about a subject I am unfamiliar with.

An intriguing story about an averted mutiny onboard a US Navy sailing vessel. The author does a good job of presenting both sides of the story. The information is well presented and allows the reader to make an informed decision regarding the guilt or innocence of the culprits. A good read on the event and an intriguing look at the life of a sailor in the 1800's.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.