Mary Patten: a pioneering captain who commanded a ship for 56 days, despite mutinies and tragedies (9 photos)

In 1856, the captain of an American clipper ship fell into a coma, leaving his 19-year-old wife in charge of the vessel. Mary Patten commanded the ship for 56 days while pregnant, fought a mutiny, and studied medicine to keep her husband alive.





Chelsea native Mary Patten defied social norms and made history as the first female captain of an American merchant ship. Her remarkable journey began in 1856 when her husband, Captain Joshua Adams Patten, fell ill during a voyage, leaving Mary in command of the ship.

Early Life and Marriage



Mary Ann Brown Patten, First Female Captain of an American Merchant Ship

Mary Ann Brown, the daughter of George and Elizabeth Brown, was born and raised in Chelsea, Massachusetts. At the tender age of 16, she married Joshua Adams Patten, a young captain. Two years later, in 1855, Captain Patten was offered command of a famous clipper ship called the Neptune Machine. Not wanting to leave his wife alone for a long time, Captain Patten asked permission for Mary to accompany him on the voyage.

Departure





"Neptune Machine" in Hong Kong Harbor

"Neptune Machine" - a magnificent clipper, famous for its speed - already gained fame in 1855. Weighing 1,617 tons and 370 meters long, the ship was a miracle of marine engineering. The New York Herald reported that Captain Patten, a last-minute replacement for the ship's previous captain, set out on the voyage with Mary just twelve hours after receiving the offer.

Over the next 17 months, they sailed around the world, from San Francisco to China to London and finally back to New York. Throughout the voyage, Mary devoted herself to learning navigation and assisting her husband in his duties.

Crisis at Sea



The fateful voyage took a terrible turn when the Neptune Machine, along with two other clippers, left New York for San Francisco on July 1, 1856. Tragedy struck when Captain Patten fell into a coma due to tuberculosis while off Cape Horn. Under normal circumstances, the first mate would have assumed command. However, Captain Patten had previously disciplined the first mate for negligence, and Mary proved to be the most qualified person to handle the ship properly.

Attempted Mutiny



The first mate, guided by personal interests, attempted to provoke a mutiny among the crew by suggesting that they head to Valparaiso instead of continuing to San Francisco.

Realizing that such an approach would result in the loss of her crew and cargo, Mary approached the crew, eventually gaining their unanimous support.

Triumph and Recognition



Passenger List

Despite numerous difficulties, the Neptune Machine was able to arrive in San Francisco ahead of its competitors, taking second place in the race. Mary's leadership and navigational skills played a decisive role in her success. Recognizing her outstanding talents and efforts, the ship's insurers awarded Mary Patten a thousand dollars in February 1857. In response, she modestly stated that she was doing "only the simple duty of a wife." Her heroism and fortitude became widely known.

Return Home and Tragic Death



Soon after returning, the couple's son was born

After completing their journey to New York on the steamship George Law, Mary and Joshua Patten returned safely to Boston. On March 10, less than a month after their arrival, Mary gave birth to their son, Joshua. So all these strange things happened in her life while she was pregnant.



Unfortunately, Captain Joshua Patten passed away in July of 1857. Four years later, on March 31, 1861, shortly before her 24th birthday, Mary's tuberculosis worsened. Both she and her husband found their final resting place at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett, Massachusetts.

Mary's Legacy



Mary Patten’s legacy as a pioneering captain and icon of female empowerment lives on. Her remarkable achievements continue to inspire new generations of women to challenge convention and achieve their goals. Mary Patten’s story serves as a reminder that determination, resilience, and dedication to duty can overcome even the most difficult challenges.