The Captain of the "Pole-Star. "

A medical student, John M'Alister Ray, documents his experiences aboard a whaling ship trapped in Arctic ice. The crew, led by the enigmatic Captain Nicholas Craigie, faces dwindling supplies and growing discontent. Tensions rise as the crew's superstitions about ghosts and omens affect morale. The Captain exhibits erratic behavior, revealing a troubled past and a deep emotional connection to a lost love. As the ship remains immobilized, the Captain's mental state deteriorates. He becomes obsessed with visions of a woman, leading to a climactic moment where he leaps into the ice, chasing an apparition. Despite search efforts, he disappears, leaving the crew in despair. They eventually find his body, smiling and outstretched, suggesting a peaceful end. The narrative concludes with Ray reflecting on the Captain's mysterious life and the impact of his loss on the crew. The journal serves as a testament to the Captain's struggles and the haunting nature of the Arctic, blending themes of isolation, madness, and the supernatural.

By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle · First published 1890 · Genre: Adventure, Mystery, Literary Fiction · 11,475 words

First lines

[Being an extract from the singular journal of JOHN / M'ALISTER RAY, student of medicine.]

September 11th. -- Lat. 81 degrees 40' N.; long. 2 degrees E. Still lying-to amid enormous ice fields. The one which stretches away to the north of us, and to which our ice-anchor is attached, cannot be smaller than an English county. To the right and left unbroken sheets extend to the horizon. This morning the mate reported that there were signs of pack ice to the southward. Should this form of sufficient thickness to bar our return, we shall be in a position of danger, as the food, I hear, is already running somewhat short. It is late in the season, and the nights are beginning to reappear.

• Open reader

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Genres

• Adventure — The plot revolves around a sea voyage and the challenges faced by the crew, embodying classic adventure elements.
• Mystery — The story includes elements of suspense and investigation, typical of mystery narratives.
• Literary Fiction — The writing style is reflective and explores deeper themes of human nature and morality.
• Historical Fiction — Set in a specific historical context, it reflects the maritime culture of the time.

Tags

adventure · mystery · sea · ship · captain · polar · exploration · suspense · narrative · fiction · 19th century · whaling

What this Textopian page supports

The Captain of the "Pole-Star. " is listed on Textopian as a novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, dated 1890 CE.

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

• Work type: Novel
• Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• Date: 1890 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Adventure, Mystery, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror
• Length: 11,475 words
• Structure: 1 section, 87 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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• Work identity for The Captain of the "Pole-Star. " 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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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