William Henry Giles Kingston

Broschiertes Buch

Captain Mugford

A Shipwrecked Summer - Nautical Adventures and Life Lessons from Cornwall's Stormy Shores

Beschreibung

«Captain Mugford» by W.H.G. Kingston is a classic Victorian nautical adventure that follows a group of boys under the tutelage of the eccentric yet wise seaman Captain Mugford. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Cornish coast, the story begins when the boys are sent to spend a summer at a remote cape, where a shipwrecked brig becomes their classroom for seafaring education and life lessons. The novel masterfully blends coming of age themes with thrilling maritime exploits. The boys learn navigation, knot tying, and boat handling from the captain a former sailor with a bulldog's tenacity and a philosopher's wisdom. Their adventures escalate when they take command of their own boat, the Youth, facing real dangers that test their courage and camaraderie. Kingston's vivid descriptions of coastal landscapes and storm tossed seas immerse readers in the shipwreck survival atmosphere, while the captain's colorful anecdotes about his naval career add historical depth. More than just an adventure tale, the book explores moral growth through challenges like rescuing a drowning sailor and reconciling youthful impulsiveness with responsibility. The wrecked brig Clear the Track serves as a poignant symbol of resilience, transformed by the captain into both home and teaching tool. For lovers of Victorian maritime fiction, this work offers authentic period detail about 19th century sailing life. Parents and educators will appreciate its emphasis on practical skills and ethical development, while the boys' adventure elements keep the pace brisk and engaging.

Autor

William Henry Giles Kingston (1814 1880) was a pioneering writer of nautical adventure tales whose own seafaring lineage informed works like 'Captain Mugford'. Born in London to a merchant family with West Indies trading ties, he absorbed maritime culture from childhood, later working in his father's export business before dedicating himself to writing. Kingston became one of the most prolific authors of the Victorian maritime fiction boom, publishing over 130 books. His firsthand experience with ships including transatlantic voyages lent authenticity to technical descriptions in his seafaring education narratives. A social reformer, he often wove themes of courage and integrity into his stories, as seen in Captain Mugford's mentorship philosophy. As editor of The Colonist and The Sunbeam magazines, Kingston championed colonial literature while maintaining rigorous historical accuracy. His dual focus on entertainment and moral instruction influenced later adventure writers like Robert Louis Stevenson. 'Captain Mugford' exemplifies his talent for transforming shipwreck survival scenarios into compelling vehicles for character development a hallmark that keeps his work relevant for modern readers exploring classic boys' adventure traditions.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: BoD - Books on Demand / Books on Demand GmbH
• 1. Auflage
• Seitenzahl: 126
• Erscheinungstermin: 1. April 2025
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 210mm x 148mm x 10mm
• Gewicht: 194g
• ISBN-13: 9782322571062
• ISBN-10: 2322571067
• Artikelnr.: 73787769