Afloat on the Pacific: Or Notes of Three Years Life at Sea, Comprising Sketches of People (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

W. P. Marshall

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0656709413 ISBN 13: 9780656709410

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

Across the vast Pacific, a rookie sailor faces wind, wave, and wonder—learning what the ocean really asks of a life at sea.

Afloat on the Pacific collects vivid sketches from W. P. Marshall’s early journeys with the U.S. Navy, charting a young observer’s first encounters with the sea’s grandeur and its perils. From the first tremor of sea sickness to the roar of a full‑bore storm, the book blends personal observation with historical color, bringing to life islands, ports, and the people encountered along the way.

The narrative follows a voyage from New York toward the Pacific, detailing the shift from land to water, the hush of moonlit decks, and the brutal realities of life at sea. Readers meet sailors, passengers, and a cast of characters that range from rough humor to quiet courage, all framed by the author’s clear, steady narration.

As the voyage unfolds, the story moves from tropical calm to tempestuous weather and distant shorelines. It offers a window into life aboard ships, the drama of approaching distant lands, and the tiny, unforgettable moments that make a long voyage feel almost cinematic.

• First impressions of the ocean and the change from land to sea life
• Portrayals of storms, weather, and the physical challenges of sailing
• Vivid scenes from ports and islands in the Pacific region
• Observations of passengers, crew dynamics, and small, human moments at sea

Ideal for readers who enjoy maritime memoirs, travel sketches, and historical glimpses of life at sea during the 19th century.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0656709413
• ISBN 13: 9780656709410
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 184