
The Life of a Ship
A lyrical prologue sets the tone, celebrating the sea’s vast blue and the awe‑inspiring birth of a ship, only to remind listeners that even the grandest vessels can be humbled by a sudden storm. The verses weave together the joy of launch day, the community’s cheers, and a quiet faith that guides sailors back home when the waves turn fierce.
From this poetic backdrop emerges Davy, a curious boy whose whole family has lived off the water. He watches ships on the horizon, dreams of sailing beyond the line where sky meets sea, and gets an unexpected invitation to a shipyard. There, the massive “skeleton” of a vessel opens his eyes to the intricate language of keels, ribs, and decks, turning his childhood fascination into a hands‑on education. As he learns the craft behind the towering masts, the story captures the wonder of growing up with the ocean’s call ever louder in his heart.
Language
en
Duration
~35 minutes (33K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
Release date
Jun 7, 2007
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1825–1894
A master of Victorian adventure fiction, his stories drew on real travel and hard-earned experience in the Canadian wilderness. Best known for The Coral Island, he wrote fast-moving tales of courage, survival, and discovery for generations of young readers.
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