The Master Mariner

by Lt Col Thomas Joseph

English 210 pages 1 edition

This is a true story about the extraordinary life of a Merchant Mariner traced from his struggles from an impoverished village in rural Kerala. His attempt to become a priest by joining a Catholic seminary, disillusionment and eventual escape from home. His stint as a Radio operator in the Royal British Navy belies his unacknowledged contribution to the Indian independence movement as a mutineer in the Naval mutiny carried against the British in 1946. With the distinct possibility of a noose around his neck, Kunj absconded, changed his name to Joe and settled in Bombay as a railway booking clerk. Once things settled down in independent India, Joe joined Dufferin as Cadet Trainee and went on to have a successful career in the merchant navy. He was the Captain of the ill fated merchant ship named Kairali, which was lost at sea in July, 1979. The trauma and uncertainty about his death, when the merchant ship was lost, presumed sunk off the Goan coast by the authorities, but believed to be a case of hijacking by the grieving relatives, is a riveting story. Be ready for an extraordinary treat on Joe’s life. Happy reading.