William Hope Hodgson 
The Derelict 

The Derelict is a short story by William Hope Hodgson, first published in 1912. An elderly ship’s doctor recounts a strange event that happened to him some years earlier, in the context of discussing his ideas about a fundamental life force that can manifest itself in the presence of proper materials. While sailing as a passenger, a sudden storm disables the ship. In the aftermath, a derelict vessel is discovered. Excerpt: ”Seen anything of Carnacki lately?’ I asked Arkright when we met in the City. ‘No, ‘ he replied. ‘He’s probably off on one of his jaunts. We’ll be having a card one of these days inviting us to No. 472, Cheyne Walk, and then we’ll hear all about it. Queer chap that.”