
A seasoned narrator looks back on a life shaped by the sea, sharing the bittersweet mix of hope and regret that colors his memories. He invites listeners into the bustling streets of 19th‑century New Bedford, where oil‑laden trucks rattled down steep hills and the scent of salt hung heavy over the wharves. The voice is both reflective and lively, hinting at the vigor of a boy who chased the horizon from schoolyard afternoons to the bustling docks.
The story follows his early years, from a modest school of twenty‑five pupils to the thrill of racing down Hamilton Street with friends, all eyes fixed on the ships that promised adventure. Vivid descriptions of ship carpenters, bustling outfitting stores, and the rhythm of daily life on a whaling town bring the era to life. Listeners will feel the pull of the ocean and the camaraderie of youthful crews, setting the stage for the daring voyages that lie ahead.
Language
en
Duration
~11 hours (648K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by MFR, RichardW, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2018-10-05
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1863–1926
A New England writer with a lively feel for coastal life, he also brought a technically trained mind to his work. Best known for novels including Old Harbor and books about the Clammer Club, he wrote stories that mix local color, adventure, and humor.
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