The boy, me and the cat : Cruise of the Mascot, 1912-1913

After a long spell of nervous strain and a back healing from an old injury, a father decides to set sail with his young son and their mischievous cat, Scotty, aboard the thirty‑year‑old Cape Cod catboat Mascot. The modest vessel, small but sturdy enough for two men, carries a self‑bailing cockpit, a snug cabin stove, and a bookcase that hints at thoughtful evenings under canvas. As the Mascot slips out of New Bedford in October 1912, the family embarks on a leisurely cruise along the New England coast, navigating with a blend of old‑world nautical jargon and a child’s fresh curiosity.

Throughout the voyage the narrator keeps a log, peppered with sketches of the cat’s antics and dead‑pan observations of wind and tide. The simple rhythm of daily duties—hoisting sails, sharing meals from a modest galley, and swapping stories on the deck—creates a warm portrait of family life at sea. Even the back‑story of the book’s elusive first edition, chased by enthusiastic boat‑builders and editors, adds a playful meta‑adventure that mirrors the exploration underway.