The Cruise of the Thetis: A Tale of the Cuban Insurrection

In a bustling July afternoon of 1894, two young men cross paths in Piccadilly’s lively streets. Jack Singleton, the heir to a prominent ship‑building firm, carries the easy confidence of an English gentleman, while his companion, Carlos Montijo, arrives from Cuba with a sallow complexion and a restless curiosity that betrays a deeper purpose. Over a casual lunch they reminisce about their shared school days at Dulwich, hinting at the divergent paths their lives have taken.

Carlos is more than a visitor; he is the son of a wealthy Cuban tobacco planter, quietly steeped in the nationalist fervor that has long simmered against Spanish rule. Jack, newly at the helm of his family’s engineering business after his father’s death, feels the pull of duty and the allure of adventure. Their conversation, tinged with talk of travel and engineering, subtly foreshadows a partnership that could draw them into the tumultuous currents of the Cuban insurrection.

Listeners will be drawn into a richly rendered Victorian London, where friendship meets political intrigue and the promise of a daring sea voyage looms on the horizon. The narrative blends historical detail with personal drama, setting the stage for a tale of loyalty, ambition, and the looming tide of rebellion that threatens to reshape both men’s futures.