A native Mainer Kenneth Roberts was intrigued by the story of the December 1710 wreck of the Nottingham. After running aground a dozen miles offshore the ship broke up stranding her crew with minimal tools scant shelter and a few pieces of cheese. The men survived nearly a month of screeching gales sub-freezing temperatures and driving snowstorms.
During their ordeal they resorted to cannibalism and were finally rescued after one of them made it ashore on a crude raft. A story of the ways that crisis can inspire the best - and worst - in human nature..