The Second Mate

In Short

This is a high-stakes maritime thriller that follows Jim Barnes, the second mate of the crumbling steamer Sulu Queen. When Barnes discovers that the ship’s officers and crew are plotting a brutal mutiny to loot the vessel and sell its two female passengers into slavery, he initiates a daring, chaotic campaign of sabotage to foil them. A fast-paced, unsentimental adventure of the South Seas, the book earns its place as a classic of seafaring pulp fiction through its relentless momentum, sharp dialogue, and the grit of its central protagonist.

The Story

The Sulu Queen is a broken-down steamer limping through the Celebes Sea toward Macassar. Its captain is lost to opium, its chief engineer is a drunkard, and its crew—a volatile mix of lascars and coolies—are under the thumb of a ruthless supercargo named Lim Tock. Among the passengers are two missionary women, Nora Sayers and Ellen Maggs, who are fleeing the horrors of revolutionary China. Barnes, the only competent officer, discovers the plot: the ship is to be stripped, the passengers murdered or sold, and the evidence scuttled.

Realizing that he cannot openly confront the entire crew, Barnes enlists the help of two Chinese quartermasters, Li Fu and Hi John. To keep the mutineers off-balance, he intentionally sets fire to the ship, forcing the crew to abandon their lethal schemes to save the vessel. In the ensuing confusion, Barnes manages to get the women and several of the Arab merchant Abdullah’s children into a whaleboat. They escape just as the Sulu Queen descends into a bloodbath of internal fighting between the conspirators.

The fugitives make for the coast of Borneo, but the journey is treacherous. Their boat is damaged, and they are relentlessly pursued by the mutineers. Barnes, wounded by a bullet, eventually forces the quartermasters to row the women and children to safety while he remains behind on a small, mangrove-lined islet to hold off their pursuers. He stands his ground against the pirates, using his wits and a handful of pistols to keep them at bay until the tide and the surf intervene to destroy the enemy's boats. Ultimately, a Dutch colonial patrol discovers the survivors. As the law secures the remnants of the mutinous gang, Barnes and Ellen Maggs, who has fallen for him, commit to a future together, looking forward to leaving the dangers of the Orient behind for a quiet life in California.

How It Unfolds

The discovery of treason While checking the ship’s course at night, Barnes realizes the Sulu Queen has been turned off its route. He discovers that the supercargo, the serang, and several officers are plotting to murder the passengers and scuttle the ship for insurance and loot.

The chaos of sabotage Deciding that conventional mutiny suppression is impossible, Barnes decides to set the ship on fire to force the crew into a state of distraction. He successfully sows disorder, allowing him to secure the passengers and evacuate them into a small whaleboat before the ship is fully consumed by violence.

The flight to Borneo The small party navigates the open sea, narrowly surviving a capsize caused by a child pulling the boat's plug. They reach the coast, but the pursuit by the remaining pirates forces Barnes into a final stand on a small islet.

The final defense Barnes uses the geography of the river mouth and the dangerous surf to his advantage against the approaching enemy boats. He holds the island until the arrival of Dutch authorities, who mop up the survivors and provide the refugees with a safe passage home.

The People

Jim Barnes is the quintessential capable sailor: observant, cynical, and deeply pragmatic. He does not seek glory, but he takes responsibility for the passengers because the alternative is unacceptable. His rough, matter-of-fact leadership keeps the party alive.

Ellen Maggs, initially appearing as a frail missionary, reveals a surprising core of steel. She proves to be capable and resilient under pressure, moving from a position of helplessness to one of active partnership with Barnes.

Nora Sayers is the more outgoing and energetic of the two women, having been hardened by her time in China. She provides a sharp, clear-eyed contrast to Ellen's quieter resolve.

Lim Tock, the supercargo, is the chilling architect of the mutiny. He is a man of singular focus and cruelty, driven by greed and a total disregard for human life. He represents the cold, calculated face of the danger facing the protagonists.

In Its Own Voice

"A mutiny is due to start at one o'clock, and, so far as I can see, most of the officers will get wiped out at the first crack."

Barnes explains the dire reality of the situation to the two women during a matter-of-fact breakfast.

"If you ever want to add a plain gold hoop to it, you remember that there's just one man aboard who can pull you out o' this, and that's me."

Barnes makes a characteristically bold promise to Nora Sayers while assessing the danger they are in.

What It's Really About

At its heart, this is a study of competence in the face of collapse. The book argues that when systems fail—whether it is the rotting hull of the Sulu Queen or the breakdown of social order in a mutiny—the only thing that matters is the individual's ability to act with purpose. It is a story about the transition from the old, corrupt world of colonial outposts and missionary stations to a personal, domestic future. Barnes is a man who survives by rejecting the "houseboat of corruption" and choosing instead to build a life based on direct, honest human connection.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy crisp, fast-moving adventure will find much to admire here. There is no bloat; the story moves with the efficiency of its protagonist. It captures the atmosphere of the South Seas—the "blazing, torrential, insufferable" heat, the smell of mangroves, and the rhythmic, ominous roar of the surf—with a tactile, rugged clarity.

However, it is a product of its time. The prose reflects the period’s casual assumptions about race and the colonial hierarchy, which some modern readers may find jarring or outdated. The dialogue and characterizations are archetypal, favoring the "hard-bitten sailor" trope over deep psychological interiority. If you can accept it as a high-octane piece of period entertainment, it functions perfectly. It is not trying to be a sweeping epic, but rather a sharp, focused thriller that delivers a satisfying sense of urgency. The emotional stakes, while simple, feel earned because the book treats the physical danger with such unrelenting weight. You will likely walk away from it feeling the heat of the sun and the relief of the final rescue—a lean, effective piece of storytelling that does exactly what it sets out to do.