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The Kitchen Table

Phrase of the day 1/9

jim_1 (Zone 5B)

5 years ago

Before the mast

One of the American classics of the sea is Two Years Before the Mast, by Richard Henry Dana. Dana suffered from impaired vision, so he left collage after his sophomore year and sailed as a common sailor for two years. His book, based on his seafaring experience was an immediate success and is still in print. Before the mast referred to the quarters assigned the common sailors in the fore part of the ship.

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Comments (5)

Annie Deighnaugh
5 years ago
Interesting...I never knew that. Thanks!
stacey_mb
5 years ago
Thank you for this. I love seafaring stories and plan to read Two Years Before the Mast.
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Fun2BHere
5 years ago
Dana was a fascinating man. If you have time, take a moment to read his WIKI entry. I live just north of Dana Point, a town named in his honor.
User
5 years ago
Never heard of him before, but agree that Wiki entry makes his book sound most intriguing. Thanks!
raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
5 years ago
Oh, I read that book years ago. Yes, I found it interesting, a little dry, but I love history.

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