The Salvage Ship and Its Cargo

The Luminaries

This thread follows Godspeed from its disputed sale through wreck, recovery, and the cargo mix-up that connects Moody to the larger mystery.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Godspeed Changes Hands Godspeed Changes Hands from "The Luminaries". Godspeed Changes Hands A sale under pressure Alistair Lauderback signs away Godspeed to a buyer using the name Francis Wells.

Godspeed Changes Hands from "The Luminaries". Godspeed Changes Hands A sale under pressure Alistair Lauderback signs away Godspeed to a buyer using the name Francis Wells.

Godspeed Changes Hands A sale under pressure Alistair Lauderback signs away Godspeed to a buyer using the name Francis Wells. Carver’s blackmail makes the transfer coercive. The ship becomes a moving secret The vessel’s new ownership connects the gown shipment, the missing crate, and later questions about what happened aboard.

A Crate Is Misrouted A Crate Is Misrouted from "The Luminaries". A Crate Is Misrouted Balfour loses track of cargo A crate meant for Lauderback is mishandled at Gibson Quay and disappears from Balfour Shipping’s custody.

A Crate Is Misrouted from "The Luminaries". A Crate Is Misrouted Balfour loses track of cargo A crate meant for Lauderback is mishandled at Gibson Quay and disappears from Balfour Shipping’s custody.

A Crate Is Misrouted Balfour loses track of cargo A crate meant for Lauderback is mishandled at Gibson Quay and disappears from Balfour Shipping’s custody. Crew members later load it aboard Godspeed. Carver recognizes the wrong shipment He realizes the crate is not the one he sought, but sails before resolving the mistake. Its contents remain a dangerous uncertainty.

Moody Enters the Hold Moody Enters the Hold from "The Luminaries". Moody Enters the Hold A voice from the cargo Walter Moody descends into the hold to retrieve his belongings and hears pounding inside a crate.

Moody Enters the Hold from "The Luminaries". Moody Enters the Hold A voice from the cargo Walter Moody descends into the hold to retrieve his belongings and hears pounding inside a crate.

Moody Enters the Hold A voice from the cargo Walter Moody descends into the hold to retrieve his belongings and hears pounding inside a crate. He opens it and encounters a bleeding figure. The sight remains uncertain The man says Anna’s name, but Moody cannot determine whether the experience was physical, supernatural, or a hallucination. It shapes his later suspicions.

The Bar Claims the Ship The Bar Claims the Ship from "The Luminaries". The Bar Claims the Ship A wreck interrupts the inquiry Godspeed runs aground on the Hokitika bar during the storm.

The Bar Claims the Ship from "The Luminaries". The Bar Claims the Ship A wreck interrupts the inquiry Godspeed runs aground on the Hokitika bar during the storm.

The Bar Claims the Ship A wreck interrupts the inquiry Godspeed runs aground on the Hokitika bar during the storm. Her masts break and the vessel is overwhelmed by water. Evidence is scattered The disaster destroys the chance to inspect the ship intact and leaves its cargo and passengers in doubt. The wreck also ends Lauderback’s hope of recovering the ship through blackmail.

The Hull Is Raised The Hull Is Raised from "The Luminaries". The Hull Is Raised Salvage begins Tugs and horses haul Godspeed onto the spit. The damaged vessel is stripped for auction, and its cargo is cleared.

The Hull Is Raised from "The Luminaries". The Hull Is Raised Salvage begins Tugs and horses haul Godspeed onto the spit. The damaged vessel is stripped for auction, and its cargo is cleared.

The Hull Is Raised Salvage begins Tugs and horses haul Godspeed onto the spit. The damaged vessel is stripped for auction, and its cargo is cleared. A trunk returns Lauderback’s crate is recovered and delivered to Moody by mistake. The unexpected exchange gives Moody access to papers that reveal Carver’s false signature.

12 May 1865

12 to 15 January 1866

Storm afternoon, 14 January 1866

Night of 27 January 1866

February 1866