Great Britain has for many centuries been one of the world's great sea-faring nations. The Royal Navy has defended her territory and the merchant fleet has been instrumental in creating the nation's wealth. The courage, industry and exploits of many of her sailors and the names of the ships in which they served have become legends. However, the sea has also provided the backdrop to great crimes and for this gripping book, the author has selected murders that have been committed in many parts of the globe, on board different types of vessels, over a period of more than 100 years. The motives behind these crimes have included revenge, lust, greed and survival. Nevertheless, they share one common feature as all of those accused of responsibility were brought back to Great Britain to stand trial. Among these fascinating accounts is a gruesome description of a trial where the cannibalistic survivors of a shipwreck murdered and ate their shipmate.