George O. (George Oliver) Smith
Time for survival
"Time for Survival" by George O. Smith is a science fiction novella written in the early 1960s. The story explores themes of time travel and historical events, focusing on one of the most enduring maritime mysteries involving the ship "Mary Celeste". The protagonist, a time-traveling historian from the 22nd century, aims to witness a historical event first-hand but discovers that his actions have unforeseen consequences on history itself. The narrative begins with the historian stowing away on the "Mary Celeste" during its ill-fated voyage in 1872. Upon discovery by Captain Briggs, he reveals his identity and purpose, only to witness the crew's unexpected abandonment of ship in a bid to escape a perceived threat. As the historian grapples with the realization that he has inadvertently changed the course of history, he is left with the daunting knowledge that his research will never see the light of day. The story reflects on the futility of trying to rewrite history when the events are already being recorded in a live, dramatic reconstruction, leaving the historian to confront the reality of his ambitions slipping away.