The Wreck of the Winfield Scott

About the Book

A SHIPWRECK. A SECRET. A FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL. 1853. Thirteen-year-old Annie’s life is upended when her mother whisks her away from San Francisco, bound for New York. Their journey aboard the Winfield Scott, carrying mail, gold, and 300 passengers, becomes a nightmare when a storm shatters the ship against the rocks of Anacapa Island. Amidst the chaos of the shipwreck, Annie fights for survival. The churning waves and jagged coastline are not the only threats. Hidden among the survivors are thieves, ready to capitalize on the disaster. Annie quickly learns that survival demands more than just physical strength. She must outwit the desperate criminals while battling the elements and the growing desperation of the stranded passengers. Based on the true story of the Winfield Scott shipwreck, this thrilling adventure plunges you into the heart of a historical tragedy. Annie’s courage is tested as she confronts the dangers of the island, the treachery of those around her, and the secrets that lie hidden beneath the waves. Discover the enduring legacy of the Winfield Scott, a ship lost to the sea but not forgotten.

About the Author

Narda Fargotstein has been a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators for many years, including the Central Coast Chapter which includes the Santa Barbara Channel. It was a trip to the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum that inspired her to write this story as a companion to the well-known Island of the Blue Dophins.