Captain Balaam of the 'Cormorant', and other sea comedies

A gritty, tongue‑in‑cheek portrait of life aboard a turn‑of‑the‑century merchant ship, this novella opens with Geordie Potts, the uneasy scion of a powerful shipping magnate, stepping onto the deck of the aging Patriarch. The ship’s creaking timbers, salty air, and a crew of rough‑spoken mates set the stage for a world where family grudges, hard‑won wages, and the promise of honest work collide.

Through lively dialogue and vivid port scenes, the story sketches a rivalry between Geordie’s bitter past and the stubborn pride of his fellow seamen. Their banter about “hard lines,” double wages, and a proper cook hints at deeper questions of loyalty, fairness, and the dream of a better life at sea. Listeners will be drawn into the clamor of the deck, the humor of a crew that refuses to be ruled by “Dutchmen” or “Dagoes,” and the simmering ambition of a man who hopes to turn a scandal‑ridden vessel into a haven for honest sailors.