Ocean Life in the Old Sailing Ship Days

John D. Whidden started out at sea in 1834, at the age of twelve, and did not retire until 1870.

This is his account of over a quarter-century spent on the high seas.

Orphaned at five, nothing held Whidden back from embarking on sea life seven years later. Serving as an apprentice, he quickly proved his worth, and earned himself a mate’s position by his early twenties. Graduating to third, second and first office, he ended his career in command of, and having part-ownership of his own vesse...