Wreck of the Pacific

Frederick Marryat

Aug 2021 · Graphic Arts Books

About this ebook

Wreck of the Pacific (1841) is a novel by Frederick Marryat. Inspired by the author’s experience as a captain in the Royal Navy, Wreck of the Pacific is a tale of disaster and survival on the high seas. Responding to such novels as Robinson Crusoe (1719) and The Swiss Family Robinson (1812), Marryat hoped to tell an entertaining story with a Christian moral while remaining true to the dangers of nautical life. “I am an old man, and it is of little consequence. I care little whether I am taken away a year or two sooner, but I do not like to see blossoms cut off in early spring: I may be of use if I remain, for I’ve an old head upon my shoulders, and I could not leave you all to perish when you might be saved if you only knew how to act. But here the seamen come—the boat is all ready, and they will now take poor Captain Osborn with them.” When the Pacific sails through a terrible storm, losing its masts and captain in one fell swoop, its crew are forced to make difficult decisions. Below deck, the Seagrave family are virtually helpless, left to the mercy of men and nature alike. While the first mate and surviving sailors load most of the provisions onto the only remaining yawl, Masterman Ready remains behind with the terrified landlubbers, offering his services should they find a way to survive. Soon, the ship drifts toward the shores of a deserted island, giving them the chance they so desperately need to survive. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Frederick Marryat’s Wreck of the Pacific is a classic of British literature reimagined for modern readers.

About the author

Frederick Marryat (1792-1848) was an English naval officer and novelist. Born in London, Marryat was raised in a prominent merchant family by Joseph Marryat, a member of Parliament, and his American wife Charlotte. He joined the Royal Navy in 1806 as a midshipman on the HMS Imperieuse, serving under Lord Cochrane. Throughout his naval career, he served on several ships and was present at battles against the French fleet off the coast of Spain. On the HMS Spartan, he fought in the War of 1812 and participated in raids on New England. After the war, he worked as an inventor and artist, patenting a new lifeboat and making a famous sketch of Napoleon on his deathbed in Saint Helena. He retired from the Royal Navy in 1830 to pursue a career as a professional writer, producing nautical novels and finding success with Mr. Midshipman Easy (1836). He frequently based his stories on his own experiences and earned a reputation as a member of Charles Dickens’ influential literary circle. His novels of adventure on the high seas would inspire countless storytellers, including Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, and Joseph Conrad.