The true story about a shipwreck discovery, exciting explorations, broken alliances, and returning a lost piece of Alaskan history. Since its sinking in 1860 while transporting a valuable cargo of ice, the Kadâyak ship had remained submerged underwater and faded in Alaskaâs memory, covered by the legend of an experienced but perhaps rusty sailor and a broken promise to a saint. At the time the ship had been under command of the well-recognized Captain Illarion Arkhimandritov, who had sailed in Alaskan waters for years. It seemed a simple task when he was asked to placate superstitions and honor the late Father Herman, or Saint Herman, on his next visit to Kodiak Island. But Arkhimandritov failed to keep his promise, and shortly thereafter the Kadâyak met its demise in the very waters the captain should have been most familiar withâleaving just the mast above the water in the shape of the cross, right in front of the saintâs grave. Presumed gone or else destroyed, it wasnât until 143 years later that the Kadâyak was found. In this riveting memoir, scientist Bradley Stevens tells all about the incredible discovery and recovery of the shipâdeciphering the sea captainâs muddled journal, digging through libraries and other scientistsâ notes, boating over and around the wreck site in circles. Through careful documentation, interviews, underwater photography, and historical research, Stevens recounts the process of finding the Kadâyak, as well as the tumultuous aftermath of bringing the legendary shipâs story to the publicâfrom the formed collaborations to torn partnerships to the legal battles. An important part of Alaskaâs history told from Stevensâs modern-day sea expedition, The Ship, the Saint, and the Sailor reveals one of the oldest known shipwreck sites in Alaska discovered and its continuing story today.