The Former Passengers | A Ghost Story by B. M. Croker | A Bitesized Audiobook
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.ค. 2024
- En route to his sister's wedding in Singapore, Lawrence has missed his boat and is obliged to beg passage on a cargo ship, The Wandering Star. It's unusually large and well-appointed for a cargo vessel, but it isn't until half way through the crossing that the 'Star's' sinister history is revealed...
Narrated/performed by Simon Stanhope, aka Bitesized Audio. If you enjoy this content and would like to help me keep creating, there are a few ways you can support me:
* Occasional/one-off support via Buy Me a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/bitesize...
* Monthly support on Patreon: / bitesizedaudio
* Visit my Bandcamp page to hear more of my performances of classic stories, and you can purchase and download high quality audio files to listen offline: bitesizedaudio.bandcamp.com/
* Become a Bitesized Audio Classics member on TH-cam, from $1 per month with various benefits:
/ bitesizedaudioclassics
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:58 The Story begins
00:26:03 Credits, thanks & further listening
Bithia Mary (or May) Croker (c.1848-1920), usually credited as B. M. Croker, is best remembered for her many novels and stories set in British India, as well as for bring a noted writer of ghost stories. She was born Bithia Mary Sheppard in Kilgefin, County Roscommon, Ireland, the daughter of clergyman and author the Rev. William Sheppard. She was educated in England and France and in her youth was a noted and skilled horsewoman. She married John Stokes Croker, an army officer, in 1871, and in 1877 moved with him to Madras, and later to Bengal. They lived in India for 14 years, during which time she began writing - apparently initially as something to keep her occupied, especially during the hot weather. Her first novel, 'Proper Pride', was written secretly and originally shared only with women friends, but she later rewrote it and had it published in England in 1882 under the gender-neutral initials B. M. Croker. Perhaps inevitably for the time, it was assumed to be written by a man, and was hugely successful.
Croker went on to write 42 novels and several collections of short stories, a large number of which were set in India (such as 'The Road to Mandalay') or in Ireland ('Terence'). Her ghost stories were also very popular with contemporary readers; probably her best-known contributions to the genres are 'Number Ninety', a classic haunted house story, and 'To Let' (1893), also set in India, which has appeared in a number of anthologies including the Oxford Book of Victorian Ghost Stories. Upon her husband's retirement in 1892, the couple moved to County Wicklow in Ireland, and then later to England, where John Croker died in Kent in 1911. Bithia Croker died in London in October 1920, survived by her only child, Eileen.
'The Former Passengers' was first published in Croker's 1893 collection, 'To Let, and Other Ghost Stories'.
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2022. - บันเทิง
I want to say thank you I'm in hospice nursing and my hospice patients are learning to enjoy your readings when I am sitting with them I want to thank you you do make a difference in this world more than you realize.
Oh that is so wonderful ♥️
That is really lovely to hear, thanks so much for sharing Rhonda
Yes, he does make a difference. A great balm for the soul.
You're hospice patients are learning to like this type story? I'm glad I'm not your patient.
I had to edit my comment. Do people that are dying really want to hear about the horrendous way others have died?
@@kmarch6630 what a ridiculous, insensitive and frankly sinister comment.
Not much beats a new performance from Simon, especially when it's of a story I hadn't previously read or heard. And nicely timed for bedtime listening!
What a lovely comment, thank you!
Ah, Simon. After your travails with TH-cam's nonsense, I really appreciate your revised format. The quality content continues to flow. Excellent, as always.
Beautifully said ❤❤
Simon... seriously I love your ability to dig into the past, find these gems and narrate then so wonderfully
Xx
Beloved! Simon you are a blessing to us. We can't repay you individually but hopefully you will get a million subscribers 😉
A million would be good! Do share, tell your friends etc... Thanks for your support
Excellent narration. I like the fact that you find stories that are uncommon.
Thank you. I enjoy trawling the archives...
Oh! An author from County Roscommon. Shout out to my family overseas.
I'm one here in USA, third generation.
@@mwilson7842 Well hello neighbor 👋 lol. 3rd generation here also.
Really enjoyed this chilling story.Simon finds these forgotten treasures and we are all the better for it.So glad these long past authors are getting well deserved praise.Excellent narration.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it
Thank you Simon, this was very enjoyable.
I see you Mr S, sneaking into my notifications haha you sly devil. Your love for old stories inspires me to write more and hope to become an full fledged author one day.
Thank you for your continuing efforts and passion for sharing these marvelous tales . I have been going back further and further listening and discovering older works to read . A time when you saw the fruits of proper education and great use of vocabulary. Real class and folks who took pride in their work.
I’m no prude at all, but I think the reliance on over the top violence and risqué content seems to dominate books these days and media.
Language feels neutered and cheap. These stories are all about weaving a tapestry without all the flashiness. You create whatever you want in your mind and it all feels So comforting .
Pardon my rant. I love works of every era and not opposed to anything strong. But I feel these stories scratch an itch that’s been driving me mad for years.
Thank you sm for your efforts and work for your channel. We all appreciate it very much sir :)
Rant excused Max! Thanks for listening, and for your thoughtful comments
Max, I have to agree with your assessment of most authors in modern times. They are most grotesque and keen toward described violence. You are correct that that is truly sad.
Max, my writing tutor complained that I never write about sex. The fact is that I don't like reading about it and am not going to write it.
Max, one more thought for your consideration: an full fledged, should be a full fledged. The word an usually proceeds a word that starts with a vowel. The word a proceeds the words if it starts with any other letter. Just a heads up to a fellow writer.
@@patriciajrs46 I was writing on my phone, leave me be please lol
Dear Simon thank you. Am going through an awful period in life at the moment and your wonderful voice helps me to get to sleep. Like a dormouse. 😀🧡
So sorry to hear you're having a difficult time, but glad if these stories are of some help. I hope that things improve for you very soon. Best wishes
@@BitesizedAudio thank you so much x
I've added you to my prayer list. Good luck, my sister in Christ. Just remember, the only constant is change. This, too, shall pass. 🙏🏻
Most of his stories are ones I haven't heard or read. Thank you Simon. You are truly a gem.
A chilling tale masterfully read. I really could listen to Simon read the ingredients off a packet, such is his delivery. Thank you Simon.
Very kind of you to say, thank you fellow Simon
💯%!!!!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Enjoyable as always
I often feel "much above my present business" these days...poor Wandering Star, thanks Simon!
You have the most extraordinary and empathic alent of bringing stories to life! I am convinced that every author whose work you broadcast would be both flattered and enchanted.
What a lovely comment, thank you so much Hugh
Many thanks Mr. Simon, it's always a pleasure to listen to you. What a wonderful story and great background music too!
Thanks Mrs C, lovely to hear from you
Ah, another treat! Thank you, Simon!
Appreciated, thanks Rosie!
Fascinating, I’d not heard of this one before, the narration was perfect as usual, Many thanks Simon xx
You're most welcome, thanks Lynda
I am dealing with another cancer surgery very soon. Your stories will heal me. Thank you ❤
I was transported - much like the protagonist. You have that ability, cher Simon. You send me. ❤
applause! bravo!! 🌷🌱
“ A cold clammy hand passed over my face” eek! Great story!!!!
Excellent performance Simon! Very vivid! You have taken me on many adventures and I've loved every one! Thank you so much dearest friend. ❤
You're welcome as always Susan, thank you for your kind comments
Greetings from New Zealand. Thanks for telling the stories so beautifully and for adding such lovely music to make it the perfect sound experience 🌿💚🌿
Thanks for listening Katarina. Best wishes from the UK!
😯 wow! That musical intro was fantastic! So looking forward to this! Thanks Simon
Thanks Felene. Yes, I'm using TH-cam's "free" music library and the range of suitable pieces is quite limited, but these pieces sounded appropriate for this story
An excellent and highly entertaining story so professionally presented by Mr. Stanhope.
P.S.
I just wanted to mention that this upload in particular has the most WONDERFUL MUSIC!
Also, I wanted to iterate that I too really like this video’s format! I love the black & white brief introduction; then a VERY IMPORTANT COLORFUL QUILT of your previous videos; the early format of having the description include details & researched background that connects the author, their personal history, mentions of their contributions to society & literature, dated publishing information related to this particular story, & a preview of what to expect from the story. The amount of work that you put into the video(s) you uploaded while going through the “YT hoops” I thought took away from the original format; this newest format is 🎯❣️🤍
Thank you Evelan, I really appreciate that feedback. My attempts to add bespoke recorded introductions proved to be rather time consuming, and while some people seemed to like them they also attracted a fair few negative comments. So I hope this latest format is a good compromise between the two. Best wishes and thanks for your support
Simon without your stories I'd never get my head down to sleep thank you my friend! Keep up the great work
Glad to be of service!
Simon, thank you for your comforting voice and expression enhancing these wonderful tales, my dogs and I end our day listening at ease.
Neat story! I did stop aghast at the bit about the girl almost choking the life out of the living passenger out of sheer desperation to escape her, alas, eternal impending doom. Thank you Simon for the beautiful narration and background ambience as well 🎩
Thanks @synesthete23, glad to know you enjoyed it
Currently listening to your soothing narrations while cozied next to the fire, quilt, needle and thread on my lap, and beautiful, snow-laden trees out my window. I honestly can't imagine a more peaceful way to spend my day. Thank you for telling these stories.
Simon, your voice is so soothing to listen to...thank you.
Your readings are so very good that from time to time a snatch comes back to me with a clear picture as if it as a movie I have seen. Thank you.
What a lovely comment, thank you Patty
thank you dear heart, really do appreciate you and the written notes and any commentary by you provide ✌️💖 take care
Creepy ol' ghost story w/ perfect intro /outro music ... *TY Simon* I like the part that he keeps up w/ the future routes of the *Wandering Star* what a nice ship name
Yes indeed, sounds like a lovely ship... just not in stormy weather!
A saloon with a view! One of the most ghastly sea stories I’ve heard. And one of the best well read! First class!
Thanks Simon, this is spectacular, not read this ghost story before. love it
Once again, Simon comes to the rescue on a sleepless night. Thank you.
Glad to help. Thanks Jared
Thank you for yet another wonderful ghost story Simon. Your narration again is impeccable and the background music so suits this very enjoyable story.
Kind of you to say, thank you
Thank you, Simon for your excellent narration and choice of stories. I often suffer from insomnia and anxiety (That's what I'm doing awake at 4AM) and your stories help lull me back to sleep in a nice calm mood.
Thanks for all the enjoyment I get out of them!
Thank you Simon for, as always your masterly storytelling and beautiful narration. B.M. Croker was a very good author of ghost stories and grim content. Xxx
Oof, this really captures the horrors of mass panic and shipwreck both...poor ghosts. You did well with the pidgin-speaking butler as well, I can imagine that must be a difficult balance between reading what's on the page realistically and not slipping into gross old-timey caricature of native hires doing their best.
Thank you. Yes, those sorts of passages are tricky, best just to read it straight I think
not pidgin speaking but Indian english
One day i would love to see a video on how you approach these narrations! How you study the piece and the pace, it must be so interesting!
A great reading of an unusual story with a nicely different take on ghosts aboard a ship.
I really enjoy listening to these old tales from you Simon♥️😎✌️
Glad you like them!
Loved this! Another wonderful story Mr Stanhope. Thank you.
So professional ..
The best audio book channel of this kind on TH-cam
As always, many thanks for doing these Simon
Extremely kind of you to say so, thank you
Love love love love when i get notified of a new video from Simon!!!! Thank you!!
That's lovely to know, thank you!
A fine ghost story!! Now off to bed ?? Haha I hope I don’t dream of this.
Thanks Simon, you did B.M.Croker’s story proud.
Really frightening story, elegant presentation. Thank you!
A pleasure 💐💟Thank you 😊
Yet another gem brilliantly narrated, I do love hearing these tales!
Glad you like them!
Another splendid offering, Simon, beautifully narrated as always. I had never encountered the story or indeed its author before. Thank you so much for unearthing these literary treasures for us!
I have just seen that you also narrated "Number Ninety" for us a little over a year ago - I have no idea how that one slipped under my radar! Do forgive this oversight - I am off to listen to it right now!
Ah yes, I know it's easy to miss the notifications. I have to admit Number Ninety isn't one of my personal favourites, I think perhaps because of the dog (having lost my own dog a few months after recording that story)
@@BitesizedAudio Indeed - having listened to it now I thought the death of the dog was unnecessary for the storyline and it upset me. So sorry for your loss - I think we never truly get over losing a dog.
Thoroughly enjoyed that while washing the dishes. Thank you!
Oh unknown story/writer! So excited to learn & head out on an imaginary adventure…& a lady behind this, fantastic! Excited for the listening.
Thank you❣️
🖤📖🪄🪅🗝🚪🕳🐇🫧
Thanks Evelan. Yes, I've read one story by this author previously (Number Ninety), another female writer who was fairly prolific at the time but who fell into neglect in the 20th century
@@BitesizedAudio oh yes, I’m familiar with that title! I will have to research for it & listen again. I’m thinking I know it. I wasn’t paying attention to it being a female writer- which is great, that means the writing speaks on present merits not cultural biases (either way now).
I always enjoy your uploads! This one was slow to start & then BAMM! WoW! Not just one thing…but A WHOLE LOT MORE! Very modern timing in her writing, a kind of causality that doesn’t seem to be prevalent in most of her contemporaries. This could lend itself to a modern movie by Guillermo Del Toro I think. I can almost see it now.
Thanks again!
Cheers!
So busy lately and finally I have time to listen to one of my favourite channel’s new story! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!🌟✨🌟
Welcome back Maria, lovely to hear from you
@@BitesizedAudio you are a true gent! Thank you Simon!
A great story. Chilling to think people could be downstairs in a ship without a chance of escape. I once dived on the wreck of the Tayleur. It's in Dublin bay. It was on its maiden voyage when it was wrecked in a storm. I believe it blew up suddenly. Some of the passengers got onto a rock but the majority were drowned. It's a grave so you have to treat it with respect. There's not much left of her. We saw some fragments of ceramic dishes. It makes you think of the ordinary people who lost their lives on her. Thank you for another great narrative.
Ah yes, I've read about the Tayleur. What a fascinating place to dive!
What a fabulous, well written and narrated story.
Thanks for listening Paul
I'm at the best part of a Jules Verne audiobook but it has to wait now that I see this notification. You're the best! Thank you!
I'm honoured! Thank you Nick
Simon, truly the master.
Speaking of former videos, it occurred to me to check if I had managed to miss any of your broadcasts in spite of myself - and there was this engaging and rewarding trip to be had! Thank you!
Wonderful, glad to know you enjoyed it. Yes, it does seem that notifications go astray sometimes, I don't know why.
Always a pleasure to see you’ve posted,really appreciate your channel, have struggled to send you a coffee, think it went through ok 🤞 hope you get many,many more,so richly deserved✊♥️
Thanks Julie, much appreciated. I think you bought me a coffee a couple of weeks ago, so it did come through. Best wishes, thanks for your support
So glad you got the one a couple of weeks ago, please leave the link so I can send you another, excellent story beautifully narrated✊♥️
Many, many thanks, Mr. Stanhope, for all these very valuable and well-done readings. I wonder, after having read so many ghost stories to us, your appreciative listeners, I wonder you have not become a bundle of nerves yourself. I pray that you remain blessed with normal nerves and a happy and prosperous career. We want to keep receiving your thoroughly enjoyable stories for a long time to come.
a very nice portrayal of the indians also
U R the best I never tired of hearing from you.
You're voice is so amazing....even while watching you speak, it doesn't seem real!
Ah Simon, it was a long week and the coming one looks to be as rough. Thank you for providing something to relax with as the sun and the temperatures start sliding down. I am partial to a sea story as well as a ghost story so this was a special treat.
Glad to know you enjoyed it Angela, and that it provided some respite from a tough week. I've lots more stories lined up for the autumn season...
@@BitesizedAudio Oh goody! My favorite time of year just got better!
Finally a YT xhannel that uplifts my spirit..not disturbs it.Thank you sir.
You're most welcome, thanks for listening
Welcome back!
Hope you had a nice holiday, and that you weren't haunted or anything like that.
Thanks Snippy. I wasn't, thankfully, although it might be argued I haunted the swimming pool and the bar ...
Thank u another great story and your enjoyable narrative 💜🙏💜🙏
Thanks Shirley, appreciated
Thanks for, always helping to see the positive.
We all need, that.
WOOO-HOOOO! FINALLY!!!
Sorry to have kept you waiting!
Thrilling. Thank you 😊 💓
You're most welcome. Thanks Rachel
Another great story, superbly read!
Appreciated, thanks Marin
A big wow! You picked the perfect mood music for this story.
Excellent, as always. Thank you.
Loved this! Thank you..such talents... You and the author!
Thank you Marcia
Beautiful narration . Enjoyed listening to the story. The background music is superb !
Thanks a lot Simon Sir.
Wonderfully done,Thank you! 😊
Thanks Kool Kitty!
You're soo freakn awesome! Such talent thank you!!
I really enjoyed that, thank you!
Fellow Simon fans, I just have a quick question for you.
I'm wondering how many of you hit the thumbs up (like) button before you even start the story?
I always do and I've never been wrong! Another great one Simon, thank you so much.
Always. I wouldn't be subscribed otherwise. Excellent content, excellent presentation, consistently. What's to hesitate over? 👍
Always because I know how amazing the stories are going to be without a doubt.
You have the best channel!
Thank you very much!
Thank you Simon.
Nicely done!
Another great reading! And a swell story!!
Glad to know you enjoyed it!
As usual absolutely fantastic
Thanks Donna, kind of you to say!
Brilliant voice. I love these stories. X
Thanks Brenton, very kind of you to say! Glad to know you enjoy them
Love your narration Simon.
Thank you!
I love your voice and narrations! Thank you?
Oops. ! Not ?
Very good well written and read.
Thank you!
Now, I did enjoy this ghost story. The event seemed realistic. Tak skal du have.
Excellent 👍
Wonderful narrator-great stories!
Thank you kindly!
Nice ending music ...closing out the tale
Excellent
Bite-sized Audio is back with a vengeance
Thank you
Thanks!
Thank you!
Dropping at midnight? Highly appropriate.
Thank you Hannah. It wasn't quite deliberate... just a particularly busy day!