… of Mary Ann Brown Patten (or Patton). Born in Boston in 1837, she married a sailor (Joshua Patten) 5 days before her 16th birthday. 2 years later Joshua was offered captaincy of a clipper ship, and got permission for his wife to accompany him. The cargo ship (Neptune’s Car) was to travel from San Francisco to China, London, and to New York over 17 months.

When Neptune’s Car was at the foot of Cape Horn, Joshua (who had tuberculosis) collapsed, so his wife took over the role of captain. Normally this would fall to the first mate, but he’d been relieved of duty and confined to his cabin for dereliction of duty, and the second mate couldn’t read or navigate. Mary faced down a mutiny and took control of the ship, sailing into harbour 56 days later, with full cargo. She was 19, and 8 months pregnant when the ship docked. She was offered a pilot to navigate into port, but took the helm herself. She’s credited with keeping Joshua alive, although he never fully recovered his health.

The ship’s insurers, on hearing her report, awarded her $1000 bonus. She gave birth to her only child three weeks later. She died four years later of tuberculosis, aged 23.

She’s credited as the first female commander of an American merchant vessel.