The author was a merchant seaman whose long career spanned forty-five years! From 1932 to 1977 he sailed with a number of British shipping companies, including many years with the Bolton Steamship Company of London and R.S. Dalgliesh Limited of Newcastle, rising from apprentice to master of his own ship.

He is, therefore, extremely well qualified to describe the hard times endured by pre-war seamen and the challenges of the Second World War. Among his many first-hand stories are those of freak waves, dangerous convoys, on-board violence, drunken crew members, near misses and many more colourful aspects of the tramp steamer trade. 172pp. 2 b/w photos. LBK.