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Afloat at Last A Sailor Boy's Log of his Life at Sea   By:

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Afloat at Last is an adventurous and captivating tale, written by John C. Hutcheson, that takes readers on a thrilling journey through the life of a young sailor boy at sea. Filled with vivid descriptions and vividly portrayed characters, this book offers a deep insight into the life of a sailor during the 19th century.

The story revolves around the protagonist, a young boy named John, who dreams of escaping his mundane life on land and embarking on a grand adventure at sea. Desperate to realize his dreams, John faces numerous challenges and obstacles along the way. From battling treacherous storms to encountering hostile pirates, the book offers a gripping account of the perils and excitement of life at sea.

What sets Afloat at Last apart from other maritime tales is Hutcheson's impeccable attention to detail. Through his extensive knowledge and experience of life on the open ocean, the author has brilliantly crafted a realistic and authentic portrayal of the hardships and joys experienced by sailors. From the intricacies of navigating a ship to the camaraderie among the crew, Hutcheson's descriptive writing style breathes life into every scene, allowing readers to easily immerse themselves in the story.

Furthermore, the character development in Afloat at Last is exceptional. John evolves from a naive and inexperienced boy to a seasoned sailor throughout the book. His growth is driven by the relationships he forms with his shipmates, who become like a second family to him. Each character is well-defined and adds depth to the narrative, creating a sense of camaraderie and emotional investment in their individual journeys.

Another aspect that makes this book a standout is its exploration of life's moral complexities. John's encounters with pirates and other morally ambiguous characters challenge his ideals and force him to question his own principles. This theme of moral exploration adds another layer of depth to the story, making it more than just a simple adventure tale.

The pacing of the story is expertly managed, with the author interspersing moments of intense action with reflective and introspective passages. This balance helps to maintain the reader's interest and allows for a deeper understanding of the characters and their motivations.

Overall, Afloat at Last is a captivating and engaging read that will appeal to fans of maritime adventures and coming-of-age stories. Hutcheson's masterful storytelling combined with his in-depth knowledge of naval life creates a world that readers will surely get lost in. This book is an absolute must-read for anyone seeking a thrilling and immersive experience on the high seas.

First Page:

Afloat at Last

by John Conroy Hutcheson This short book tells the adventures over just one voyage to Shanghai of the hero, Allan Graham, whose father is a country vicar. Allan is obtained a place as an apprentice aboard the Silver Queen, which he joins at Wapping Docks. An Irish bosun, Tim Rooney, takes a liking to the lad and helps him learn the ropes. Hutcheson nearly always has an Irish co hero in his books. We get a good description of how the vessel is warped out of the dock, how she makes her way down river, assisted by a steam tug, and then down the English Channel and into the wide Atlantic Ocean. Allan begins to learn a bit about navigation and ship handling, when the movement of the vessel in the Bay of Biscay causes him to retire with sea sickness. A stowaway is found on board, in the forepeak. Allan finds an ally in the Chinese cook, Ching Wang. On the other hand the Portuguese steward, Pedro, hates that cook.

They round the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa), cross the Indian Ocean, and get into the Malay seas, where they notice a proa following them. After negotiating the tail end of a typhoon, they think they have escaped these possible pirates, pass through another typhoon, in which all their storm sails are blown out, yet see the pirates again... Continue reading book >>




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