The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands

audiobook

The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands

by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

EN·~8 hours·25 chapters

Chapters

25 total
1

Preface.

2:30
2

Chapter One. - Particular Inquiries.

15:26
3

Chapter Two. - The Floating Light Becomes the Scene of Floating Surmises and Vague Suspicions.

23:11
4

Chapter Three. - A Disturbed Night; a Wreck and an Unexpected Rescue.

19:50
5

Chapter Four. - A New Character Introduced.

9:32
6

Chapter Five. - More New Characters Introduced.

18:26
7

Chapter Six. - The Tempter and the Tempted.

22:25
8

Chapter Seven. - Treats of Queeker and Others—also of Youthful Jealousy, Love, Poetry, and Confusion of Ideas.

28:46
9

Chapter Eight. - The Sloop Nora—Mr Jones Becomes Communicative, and Billy Towler, for the First Time in his Life, Thoughtful.

18:34
10

Chapter Nine. - Mr Jones Takes Strong Measures to Secure his Ends, and Introduces Billy and his Friends to some New Scenes and Moments.

32:06

Description

Step aboard a floating lighthouse and discover a world few have ever seen. The narrator, granted a rare week on the Gull‑stream, shares vivid observations of the cramped yet sturdy “home” that drifts over the treacherous Goodwin Sands, guiding ships with a brilliant carbuncle‑like light. Through his eyes we meet the seasoned crew—captains, mates, and the hardy men who keep the beacon alight—while learning the practical duties that keep the coast safe.

Beyond the technical details, the story captures the rugged camaraderie of those who patrol the sea, from the daring lifeboat coxswain to the vigilant harbour masters. Atmospheric scenes of storm‑swept evenings and the glow of the floating light set a tone of both wonder and danger. Listeners are invited to glimpse the daily rhythm, the folklore, and the quiet heroism that define life on these wandering beacons, all without revealing the later twists that await.

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Details

Language

en

Duration

~8 hours (506K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England

Release date

2007-06-07

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

1825–1894

A Scottish adventure writer whose stories of survival, exploration, and moral courage thrilled generations of young readers. Best known for The Coral Island, he drew on real experience and a gift for vivid storytelling to bring distant worlds to life.

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