The book was part of Mundell’s “Adventure Series”, which also included Stories of Balloon Adventure, Stories of Alpine Adventure and Stories of Travel Adventure.
Preface [n. pag.]
In selecting the incidents for this book, I have had a most difficult task to perform, owing to the super-abundance of material, all equally interesting, and it was after much consideration that eventually the book took its present form. I have been guided in my choice mainly by strangeness of incident in the various narratives, illustrating the adventures and perils of those who go down to the sea in ships, while at the same time preserving the modern and thoroughly up-to-date character of the series. F.M.
Introduction
[13] No stories are of more enthralling interest than those which tell of the sea, ships, and sailors, for none are so full of thrilling incident, heroic adventure, and weird surroundings. The dangers which the sailor has to face are of a kind and variety that is not easy for a landsman to comprehend. When we read of a disaster at sea, we form a vague, general idea of what has happened; but how often do we really grasp the true significance of the occurence, especially if a deed of daring has been performed. When an accident happens on land, it is so easy for those who have had any warning to provide for their safety by flight; but at sea there is practically no escape. […] Then it is that the chivalrous devotion to duty, which is so marked a characteristic of the sailor, is seen in its grandest light. […] In these pages will be found incidents taken from the everyday life of the sailor, some of which show forth in no uncertain light the grandeur of this spirit of self-sacrifice, which our mariners have evinced again and again.
Contents
I. Introductory 13II. Another Robinson Crusoe 17
III. A Death Ship 28
IV. “That’s Not the Way at Sea” 39
V. Remarkable Deliverance 44
VI. The Wreck of the Oregon 51
VII. Castaway 59
VIII. A Floating Volcano 70
IX. Encountering an Iceberg 76
X. A North Sea Adventure 82
XI. In the South Seas 92
XII. Fifteen Days in an Open Boat 100
XIII. A Cunarder to the Rescue 111
XIV. Plucky Sailor Boys 117
XV. Unavailing Courage 129
XVI. Rescued from Fire 136
XVII. Diving Adventure 145