The Blighting of Sharkey

A notorious pirate, known for his brutality, prowls the Caribbean aboard his ship, _The Happy Delivery_. The crew, discontented and fearful, faces a mutiny due to the captain's violent behavior and lack of successful plundering. After three days of waiting for a target, they seize a merchant ship, _Portobello_, and brutally murder its crew and passengers, except for a young woman, Inez Ramirez, the daughter of a powerful Spanish governor, whom they capture. Sharkey, the captain, revels in his new prize, but during a drunken celebration, he discovers that Inez is afflicted with leprosy. Panic ensues among the crew as they realize they may have contracted the disease. Sharkey, now a pariah, is betrayed by his crew and marooned in a small boat, along with Inez, who taunts them as they cast off. The narrative concludes with a log entry from a British naval ship, which reports finding the remains of a woman and hints at Sharkey's fate, leaving his ultimate survival uncertain. The story explores themes of greed, betrayal, and the consequences of a life of crime, culminating in a grim fate for the pirate and his crew.

By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle · First published 1910 · Genre: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Thriller · 6,486 words

First lines

Sharkey, the abominable Sharkey, was out again. After two years of the Coromandel coast, his black barque of death, _The Happy Delivery_, was prowling off the Spanish Main, while trader and fisher flew for dear life at the menace of that patched fore-topsail, rising slowly over the violet rim of the tropical sea.

What this Textopian page supports

The Blighting of Sharkey is listed on Textopian as a short story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, dated 1910 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Short story
• Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• Date: 1910 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Thriller, Gothic Fiction, Drama
• Length: 6,486 words
• Structure: 1 section, 90 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for The Blighting of Sharkey by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters

• What should a reader notice first when entering The Blighting of Sharkey?
• How does this short story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?

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Genres

• Adventure — The plot revolves around piracy, treasure hunting, and high-seas action, typical of adventure narratives.
• Historical Fiction — Set in the early 18th century, it incorporates historical elements and figures related to piracy.
• Thriller — The story contains suspenseful elements, including mutiny, violence, and the threat of death.
• Gothic Fiction — The dark themes, sinister characters, and elements of horror contribute to a gothic atmosphere.

Tags

mystery · detective · crime · suspense · investigation · thriller · fiction · literature · short story · adventure · plot twist · character study

More by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

• The Parish Magazine (1914)
• The Great Brown-Pericord Motor (1914)
• The Holocaust of Manor Place (1901)
• The Debatable Case of Mrs. Emsley (1901)
• The Love Affair of George Vincent Parker (1901)
• The Disintegration Machine (1927)
• The Bully of Brocas Court (1914)
• The Brown Hand (1914)
• All works by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle