A first-person maritime journal recounts a transatlantic voyage from the United States to the River Plate, detailing life aboard ship, a mixed company of travelers, navigational hazards and storms, and the events leading to a catastrophic wreck. The account follows the author's experience as the sole survivor, describes shipboard incidents and interactions among crew and passengers, and narrates the ensuing journey ashore. Interspersed are observations on the geography, population, and customs of ports and coastal regions encountered, combining seafaring adventure with practical reportage of local conditions.