This Victorian nautical novel was written by English author William Clark Russell (1844–1911), who tells the story of John Holdsworth, being chief mate of the "Meteor", and his numerous adventures. Holdsworth is driven by thirst and hunger, while the ocean scrences in this telling establish many of the author's thematic and stylistic characteristics.

William Clark Russell (24 February 1844 – 8 November 1911) was an English writer best known for his nautical novels.