The Mignonette Tragedy

A True Story of Survival, Cannibalism, and a Murder Trial That Changed Legal History

By: Joseph Straub

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eBook | 27 November 2025

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The Mignonette Tragedy tells the unforgettable true story of a shipwreck that pushed four sailors beyond the limits of human endurance—and led to one of the most influential murder trials in legal history.

In 1884, the yacht Mignonette sank in the remote Atlantic, leaving its captain and crew adrift in a tiny lifeboat with no food, no water, and no hope of rescue. As starvation and delirium set in, the men faced an unthinkable choice. What followed—the killing and cannibalism of seventeen-year-old Richard Parker—shocked Victorian England and set the stage for Regina v. Dudley and Stephens, the landmark case that would determine whether necessity can ever justify the taking of an innocent life.

Rich in historical detail and moral complexity, The Mignonette Tragedy explores the harrowing days at sea, the divided emotions of the survivors, and the courtroom drama that reshaped modern criminal law. It is a story of survival, sacrifice, guilt, and the fragile boundary between civilization and desperation.

Perfect for readers of true crime, maritime history, and gripping nonfiction, this book forces us to confront the moral question that still haunts us today.

Don't miss this powerful and haunting account—get your copy now!