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The Captain of the Pole-Star
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of detective Sherlock Holmes, is the father of crime fiction. However, he was also an accomplished teller of tales featuring the weird, the supernatural, and the horrific, and 'The Captain of the Pole-Star' is one of the best examples of his weird fiction.
The Captain of the Pole-Star is a collection of strange mystery tales that are all independent, sometimes involving ship voyages, shipwrecks, amnesia, lost love, grand thefts, comedy, and fairy tales.
Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1859. It was between 1876 and 1881, while studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh, that he began writing short stories, and his first piece was published in Chambers’s Edinburgh Journal before he was 20. In 1882, Conan Doyle opened an independent medical practice in Southsea, near Portsmouth. It was here, while waiting for patients, that he turned to writing fiction again, composing his first novel, The Narrative of John Smith.
In his later years, following the death of his son in World War I, Conan Doyle became deeply interested in spiritualism and psychic phenomena, producing several works on the subjects and engaging in a very public friendship and falling out with the American magician Harry Houdini. He died of a heart attack while living in East Sussex in 1930, aged 71.
The Captain of the Pole-Star is a collection of strange mystery tales that are all independent, sometimes involving ship voyages, shipwrecks, amnesia, lost love, grand thefts, comedy, and fairy tales.
Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1859. It was between 1876 and 1881, while studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh, that he began writing short stories, and his first piece was published in Chambers’s Edinburgh Journal before he was 20. In 1882, Conan Doyle opened an independent medical practice in Southsea, near Portsmouth. It was here, while waiting for patients, that he turned to writing fiction again, composing his first novel, The Narrative of John Smith.
In his later years, following the death of his son in World War I, Conan Doyle became deeply interested in spiritualism and psychic phenomena, producing several works on the subjects and engaging in a very public friendship and falling out with the American magician Harry Houdini. He died of a heart attack while living in East Sussex in 1930, aged 71.
82 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1890
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189 people want to read
About the author
Arthur Conan Doyle
15.8k books24.3k followersSir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was a Scottish writer and physician. He created the character Sherlock Holmes in 1887 for A Study in Scarlet, the first of four novels and fifty-six short stories about Holmes and Dr. Watson. The Sherlock Holmes stories are milestones in the field of crime fiction.
Doyle was a prolific writer. In addition to the Holmes stories, his works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger, and humorous stories about the Napoleonic soldier Brigadier Gerard, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels. One of Doyle's early short stories, "J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement" (1884), helped to popularise the mystery of the brigantine Mary Celeste, found drifting at sea with no crew member aboard.
Doyle was a prolific writer. In addition to the Holmes stories, his works include fantasy and science fiction stories about Professor Challenger, and humorous stories about the Napoleonic soldier Brigadier Gerard, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels. One of Doyle's early short stories, "J. Habakuk Jephson's Statement" (1884), helped to popularise the mystery of the brigantine Mary Celeste, found drifting at sea with no crew member aboard.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 25, 2021
My GR friend Trish read and reviewed Ghostly Tales: Spine-Chilling Stories of the Victorian Age, which has six horror stories I love by favorites including M.R. James, Marion Crawford and Elizabeth Gaskell -- and one I'd never read. Fixed!
With Sherlock he locked himself into a formula, albeit an ingenius one. His horror stories allowed him to flex his writing muscles freely, and he it did so well I long ago forgave him for believing in tiny little fairies in fake photographs. There's an intelligence and an elegance to his stories of the supernatural. This proved a terrific treat, combining my not-guilty pleasure of reading horror with an arctic setting. I've read a lot of nonfiction about various expeditions but this is my first fiction and it's quite clever and entertaining.
This ship, out of Scotland, is not there to explore; it's there to fish. The experienced, capable captain of the Pole-Star is fixated on Something: a wind on the ice, a whirling shape, a feminine keen that in time others think they see and hear. Is he delusional? Is mass delusion taking hold of the crew or -- no spoilers. It's not frightening but it's creepy and wonderfully atmospheric. A perfect horror story also available as a single, in various collections of Conan Doyle's work and mingling in anthologies with other high-quality tales.
With Sherlock he locked himself into a formula, albeit an ingenius one. His horror stories allowed him to flex his writing muscles freely, and he it did so well I long ago forgave him for believing in tiny little fairies in fake photographs. There's an intelligence and an elegance to his stories of the supernatural. This proved a terrific treat, combining my not-guilty pleasure of reading horror with an arctic setting. I've read a lot of nonfiction about various expeditions but this is my first fiction and it's quite clever and entertaining.
This ship, out of Scotland, is not there to explore; it's there to fish. The experienced, capable captain of the Pole-Star is fixated on Something: a wind on the ice, a whirling shape, a feminine keen that in time others think they see and hear. Is he delusional? Is mass delusion taking hold of the crew or -- no spoilers. It's not frightening but it's creepy and wonderfully atmospheric. A perfect horror story also available as a single, in various collections of Conan Doyle's work and mingling in anthologies with other high-quality tales.
July 6, 2025
Avevo letto un solo libro di Arthur Conan Doyle fino ad ora: Storie di pirati e seppur il titolo, le argomentazioni e l'edizione mi avessero dato l'impressione di avere tra le mani un bel libro, alla fine si era rivelata soltanto una discreta lettura e non di più. Con questa mezza delusione avevo lasciato decantare il tutto. Poi oggi mi capita sotto tiro questo racconto dalle atmosfere alla Gordon Pym di Poe memoria.
Volevo provare un'esperienza diversa, a cui soltanto un'altra volta mi ero imbattuto: l'audiolibro.
Ovviamente non è come leggere, ma non per questo di meno importanza. Ascoltare una storia dalla voce di qualcun altro, vuol dire immedesimarsi e come meglio se non ascoltando ad occhi chiusi? Sì, altrimenti mi troverei a distrarmi ogni due per tre. Così la mente divaga sulle parole profuse da quella voce e qui l'autore (ed il narratore insieme) hanno ricreato il giusto clima di desolazione, di freddo, soprattutto dell'anima e di quell'atmosfera crepuscolare propria dei racconti lontani nel tempo, di viaggi in luoghi inospitali e nei recessi del mondo.
Volevo provare un'esperienza diversa, a cui soltanto un'altra volta mi ero imbattuto: l'audiolibro.
Ovviamente non è come leggere, ma non per questo di meno importanza. Ascoltare una storia dalla voce di qualcun altro, vuol dire immedesimarsi e come meglio se non ascoltando ad occhi chiusi? Sì, altrimenti mi troverei a distrarmi ogni due per tre. Così la mente divaga sulle parole profuse da quella voce e qui l'autore (ed il narratore insieme) hanno ricreato il giusto clima di desolazione, di freddo, soprattutto dell'anima e di quell'atmosfera crepuscolare propria dei racconti lontani nel tempo, di viaggi in luoghi inospitali e nei recessi del mondo.
June 5, 2022
This was a really great read. Not only do I love nautical stories, but I particularly love nautical stories of icy/arctic places. So this was right up my alley. I listened to most of this on audiobook while soaking in the tub, then I finished up the last few pages in physical format.
This was a horror story that really evokes that cozy sort of creepy vibe. It's like a gothic feeling-creepy yet pleasant.
The captain may have died, but it's strongly implied he's happier now that he's with the "lass" that he was finally ready to be with. The image of him jumping from the ship and sprinting out over the ice is a chilling, yet beautiful one. I suppose technically this could be viewed as a suicide, but since there was a supernatural factor, I'm inclined not to view it that way.
This was a horror story that really evokes that cozy sort of creepy vibe. It's like a gothic feeling-creepy yet pleasant.
The captain may have died, but it's strongly implied he's happier now that he's with the "lass" that he was finally ready to be with. The image of him jumping from the ship and sprinting out over the ice is a chilling, yet beautiful one. I suppose technically this could be viewed as a suicide, but since there was a supernatural factor, I'm inclined not to view it that way.
August 13, 2018
I can completely understand how AC Doyle was an influence on Lovecraft after reading this and Lot 249. This is a frightening tale that in some ways is reminiscent of both Cthulhu and Mountains of Madness.
February 15, 2021
Nothing suits better than a good old fashioned, no bullshit, ghost story.
This is it.
This is it.
December 25, 2021
funky little thing but what tf kind of ending paragraph is that
January 1, 2023
This was very engaging! I'd really like to know what the captains backstory was. oh well
September 2, 2015
Brilliant stuff ... Probably requires a little patience ... But certainly if you have the imagination it's easy to imagine yourself in the ice flows with a captain of questionable sanity ...
July 22, 2016
A bit of a strange short story
November 7, 2024
I enjoyed this book.
It’s a short, atmospheric tale that’s easy to read and vivid in its setting. Conan Doyle’s descriptions make the icy Arctic landscape practically leap off the page; you can almost feel the sting of the cold and the desolation of the snow-covered sea.
However, while the mood and tension are well-crafted, I found myself wanting more from the story in terms of depth. The central mystery remains unexplained, so I finished the book feeling that it could have been even more engaging with more insight into why the events unfolded as they did. For a writer of Conan Doyle’s calibre, I expected a bit more resolution or backstory.
Overall, it's a great quick read with compelling atmosphere, but it leaves some questions hanging. If you’re a fan of Conan Doyle’s writing style, this is worth reading, but don’t expect the same sense of closure you’d get from his detective tales.
It’s a short, atmospheric tale that’s easy to read and vivid in its setting. Conan Doyle’s descriptions make the icy Arctic landscape practically leap off the page; you can almost feel the sting of the cold and the desolation of the snow-covered sea.
However, while the mood and tension are well-crafted, I found myself wanting more from the story in terms of depth. The central mystery remains unexplained, so I finished the book feeling that it could have been even more engaging with more insight into why the events unfolded as they did. For a writer of Conan Doyle’s calibre, I expected a bit more resolution or backstory.
Overall, it's a great quick read with compelling atmosphere, but it leaves some questions hanging. If you’re a fan of Conan Doyle’s writing style, this is worth reading, but don’t expect the same sense of closure you’d get from his detective tales.
June 30, 2017
The boat is sailing for whales after the whaling season is over. However the captain is sure that there are still whales to be caught even as the weather turns dangerous and may trap the boat and crew. Then the captain, the doctor, and crew start seeing a strange apparition in the ice; they question if it is a polar bear or something more supernatural.
This book steadily builds suspense with the dangers of the sea and the strange apparition. The story is told from the point of view of the ships doctor. The character study of the captain by the ships's doctor is well described and helps add depth to the story. I gave the story only three stars, because the conclusion was thin and I expected more insights about the apparition being the captain's dead female love; especially from the great author of Sherlock Holmes.
This book steadily builds suspense with the dangers of the sea and the strange apparition. The story is told from the point of view of the ships doctor. The character study of the captain by the ships's doctor is well described and helps add depth to the story. I gave the story only three stars, because the conclusion was thin and I expected more insights about the apparition being the captain's dead female love; especially from the great author of Sherlock Holmes.
December 14, 2022
If all you know of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is that Holmes chap, then today's story is a real treat for you.
“The Captain of the Pole-Star" was published in 1883, and tells the story of Nicholas Craigie, ship's captain of the Pole Star, who inexplicably drops anchor in the middle of the Arctic Ocean. The crew is alarmed. Days pass. And then, reports of an apparition begin. At first, these are dismissed as illusions, signs of the stress of their situation. But as more members of the crew report seeing the same ghostly sight, opinions change. And questions arise as to what has really caused the captain to anchor in this unconventional spot.
For me, few things are spookier than a nautical ghost story, and this one really works.
“The Captain of the Pole-Star" was published in 1883, and tells the story of Nicholas Craigie, ship's captain of the Pole Star, who inexplicably drops anchor in the middle of the Arctic Ocean. The crew is alarmed. Days pass. And then, reports of an apparition begin. At first, these are dismissed as illusions, signs of the stress of their situation. But as more members of the crew report seeing the same ghostly sight, opinions change. And questions arise as to what has really caused the captain to anchor in this unconventional spot.
For me, few things are spookier than a nautical ghost story, and this one really works.
August 30, 2020
Captain Craige is out for whales even after the whaling season is far gone. He sees an apparition and the other crew on the boat start seeing the apparitions, something that seems like neither a man or a woman. Tall and white. The food supply is running low, the temperature is around 19 Fahrenheit but the Captain is adamant about staying and how they'll get through this. One dark night the captain runs off, they chase him and after looking for two days his corpse is found, with a big smile on his face and his hands reaching out for somebody.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, wrote this very well. Building suspense. You are practically right there, you can smell the crisp air, feel the cold.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, wrote this very well. Building suspense. You are practically right there, you can smell the crisp air, feel the cold.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2017
This is the first non Sherlock tale by Doyle I have read {audiobook} I suppose he always makes nice imagery, but honestly you could clearly tell it was written by the same author. Doctor writing a narrative/journal about a captain of a ship.
Its not a bad little tale, it is in a larger book I intend on getting soon and this certainly won't change my mind about buying the book.
If you like Doyle's style and want to get away from Sherlock Holmes then this one is for you.
Its not a bad little tale, it is in a larger book I intend on getting soon and this certainly won't change my mind about buying the book.
If you like Doyle's style and want to get away from Sherlock Holmes then this one is for you.
February 14, 2018
This short story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a suspenseful little tale. It tells of a whaling ship which has become trapped in an ice floe and slowly has to make its way through as the ice separates. Strange noises are heard by members of the crew and these men tell the ships Doctor who keeps a journal of the voyage. Small events lead to the captain abandoning the ship and racing away into the night. The story isn’t especially unnerving, but the detail in the book makes it worth the read.
October 20, 2018
Mediocre ghost story. Or maybe I just expected more from Conan Doyle. "Captain of the Pole-Star" is great at creating a mood, it just never pays off with a satisfying revelation about why these events are happening.
My favorite ghost stories are always also mysteries: learning why a haunting is taking place so that it can be resolved. Conan Doyle is usually great about pulling back the curtain on a mystery, so that's what I wanted here, too. Instead, he leaves the details vague, which is perhaps meant to be unsettling, but I just found frustrating.
My favorite ghost stories are always also mysteries: learning why a haunting is taking place so that it can be resolved. Conan Doyle is usually great about pulling back the curtain on a mystery, so that's what I wanted here, too. Instead, he leaves the details vague, which is perhaps meant to be unsettling, but I just found frustrating.
October 13, 2019
Listened to this on Kate Howe's booktube channel and really enjoyed it! I don't know if I would have liked it half so well if not for that. Both the story and music set the mood. About the ending...I felt I should have had goosebumps but it was so vague that it left me confused instead of chilled. But still really interesting and enjoyable!
January 3, 2024
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"a glorious sunset, which made the great fields of ice look like a lake of blood"
re-read of this one. incredibly spooky vibe reminiscent of the ancient mariner. surrounded at sea by ice not knowing if your crew mates are superstitious, unwell or worse...
"a glorious sunset, which made the great fields of ice look like a lake of blood"
re-read of this one. incredibly spooky vibe reminiscent of the ancient mariner. surrounded at sea by ice not knowing if your crew mates are superstitious, unwell or worse...
August 8, 2024
As with many 'classic' ghost stories, this tale was very tame compared to some of the modern horrors around. It had elements of Frankenstein and was very Victorian. I imagine in its time it would have been quite confronting - and I enjoyed it as a short read.
April 5, 2018
Early A.C.Doyle, before Sherlock Holmes. Not that good, but promising. That's easy to say now.
March 23, 2020
Just ok. Well-written, obviously, but read a bit like Poe fanfic.
February 19, 2021
ice ice lady
May 31, 2021
Vampire Stories #2: A man dies in a strange way. I'm sure I've read it before.
January 6, 2022
Wonderful entertaining listening
A will written stand alone novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle of a ship in the Arctic Ocean and a ghost on board. Enjoy the adventure of reading 2022
A will written stand alone novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle of a ship in the Arctic Ocean and a ghost on board. Enjoy the adventure of reading 2022
January 8, 2022
fun ghost story, typical of doyle in that it has some nods to spiritualism
November 18, 2023
An excellent and creepy ghost tale centred around a group of fishermen stranded in pack ice in the Arctic Ocean.
December 3, 2023
A wonderful wee tale of excellent polar exploration. Great atmosphere and feeling of wistfulness throughout. A well crafted, engaging and entertaining story - enjoyed reading this.
December 24, 2023
A ghostly tale told on a boat stuck in the arctic. Not Conan Doyle’s finest, and not particularly creepy but well told nonetheless
December 29, 2023
I love a good ghost story, a good maritime tale, and a good arctic exploration gone awry tale, and this is all three!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews