Ralph Rattlin tells his own life from his first appearance in the world, promising an autobiography without an iota of fiction and seasoning it with philosophy from the London streets. Sent to sea, he becomes a reefer, or midshipman, in the Royal Navy, and recounts the comedy, hardship and occasional wonder of life afloat.
Long credited to Marryat, who edited it, this lively naval yarn sits squarely in his tradition. Download the free EPUB.