AustLit

An escaped convict discovers a stranded and abandoned ship full of whale oil after a storm. With the help of some assigned convicts and some escapees he refloats the ship and renames her the Stormy Petrel. Need for provisions drive them to Hobart but their sale of the oil for cash prompts recognition from another ship. They murder the captain and mate and flee the harbour under fire. Further attempts at Maria Island and at the naval supply station at George Town on the Tamar River. A storm wrecks the boat on the cliffs of King's Island and drowns the crew at last, a capture crew-member telling their tale. (PB)