I have just got hold of a re-print of a book first published in Boston in 1844. It is called, wait for it:
"A Narrative of the Life, Travels and Sufferings of Thomas W. Smith: comprising an Account of his Early Life, his Travels during eighteen Voyages to various Parts of the World, written by himself 1844".
With a title as long as that one would imagine that there was no need for the following pages but it is a fascinating account of a young British boy who ran away from home and by the age of ten had completed two sea voyages and survived on shipwreck.
Smith then went on to work in warships and whalers, was shipwrecked, fought in several wars and eventually went ashore in Boston where it is thought he died about the age of 40.
Fascinating yarn I can warmly recommend.
Aye // Stephen
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