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Memorials of the Sea: My FatherWilliam Scoresby

Memorials of the Sea: My Father

by OpenStories

Original author: William Scoresby

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"Memorials of the Sea: My Father" by William Scoresby is a historical account written in the early 19th century. This work recounts the adventurous life of William Scoresby, Esq., a notable figure from Whitby who made significant contributions to the Greenland whale-fishing industry. The narrative is presented through the perspective of his son, the Reverend William Scoresby, D.D., who shares his father's remarkable experiences and achievements, which include his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a prominent Arctic navigator. At the start of the memoir, the author introduces the early life of his father, detailing his upbringing in a farming family and his early education. Inspired by a desire for adventure, William Scoresby decided to leave farming for a life at sea, ultimately becoming an apprentice in Whitby. The opening highlights some formative events, including his decision to pursue seafaring after rejecting an unfulfilling rural life. It sets the tone for a tale filled with challenges, personal growth, and encounters with fortune and misfortune in the perilous world of maritime exploration and whaling. The memoir not only charts Scoresby's professional progress but also touches on broader themes of providence, resilience, and the nature of adventure itself.

Memorials of the Sea: My Father, by William Scoresby. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #35183.

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36 Chapters

  1. 1.Front Matter484 words
  2. 2.Section I: My Father's early Life2,100 words
  3. 3.Section II: His first year's Apprenticeship1,931 words
  4. 4.Section III: His Progress as a Seaman, with Incidents of Sea-Life1,610 words
  5. 5.Section IV: Capture by the Enemy, and Escape from a Spanish Prison1,127 words
  6. 6.Section V: Rewards of Masterly Seamanship1,108 words
  7. 7.Section VI: Entrance on, and Progress in training in, the Greenland1,385 words
  8. 8.Section I: Disappointment in his first Command2,592 words
  9. 9.Section II: His Second Adventure, and commencing Prosperity648 words
  10. 10.Section III: Further Successes, with their comparative Relations, in the2,286 words
  11. 11.Section IV: Episodical Incident--the Rescue of endangered Pleasurers1,449 words
  12. 12.Section V: The Greenland Doctor1,699 words
  13. 13.Section VI: Taming of a Bear--Interesting Recognition1,812 words
  14. 14.Section I: Entrance on, and General Results of, this New Command738 words
  15. 15.Section II: Dangerous Accident--Admirable Tact647 words
  16. 16.Section III: The Dandy Sailor; or, "Fine Tommy."938 words
  17. 17.Section IV: Unfortunate Voyage, and Adventure in the Greenland Ices1,798 words
  18. 18.Section V: Successful Stratagem in War1,196 words
  1. 19.Section VI: Extraordinary Exploit in "cutting-in" single-handed, a1,946 words
  2. 20.Section I: Continued Prosperity:--the Results, comparatively and2,321 words
  3. 21.Section II: Treatment and Recovery of a half-frozen Seaman775 words
  4. 22.Section III: Judicious Treatment of Men having suffered from severe1,401 words
  5. 23.Section IV: The Crow's Nest1,040 words
  6. 24.Section V: Extraordinary Celerity in preparing an empty Boat for active1,175 words
  7. 25.Section VI: Tact and Bravery in attacking and killing a1,993 words
  8. 26.Section VII: Remarkable Enterprise.--The nearest Approach to the North2,799 words
  9. 27.Section VIII: Devotional Habits, at Sea and on Shore1,847 words
  10. 28.Section I: The Greenock Whale-fishing Company686 words
  11. 29.Section II: "Cum au greim a gheibhthu."1,095 words
  12. 30.Section III: Subsequent and concluding Enterprises1,435 words
  13. 31.Section IV: General Results of his entire Whale-fishing Adventures1,043 words
  14. 32.Section V: Unusual Capture of Walruses1,263 words
  15. 33.Section I: Superiority as an Arctic Navigator2,006 words
  16. 34.Section II: Natural Science2,911 words
  17. 35.Section III: Improvements and Inventions2,099 words
  18. 36.Section IV: Miscellaneous and concluding Notices3,022 words