Release date is 2022-05-17

In the merchant service: How I went to sea. My first voyage. The mutiny. Not born to be drowned. A "Shanghaeing" episode. To California before the gold discovery. Recapturing a runaway. Chased by pirates -- In the naval service: The outbreak of the Civil War. A night attack by a Confederate ram. The passage of the forts and the capture of New Orleans. On to New Orleans. Chasing a blockade runner. A narrow escape. A successful still hunt. Catching a Tartar. The naval traitor. Hunting for bushwhackers. The end of the struggle.

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"Twenty Years at Sea: Leaves from My Old Log-Books" by Frederic Stanhope Hill is a memoir written in the late 19th century. This account chronicles the author’s experiences as a sailor over two decades, providing a vivid portrayal of life aboard ships during the mid-19th century, including both the merchant navy and naval service. The memoir details various adventures and challenges encountered at sea, offering readers a glimpse into the hardships and camaraderie among sailors. At the start of the memoir, Hill reflects on his early fascination with the sea, spurred by tales of old sailors and his own reading. He recounts his decision to embark on a maritime career and his subsequent first voyage aboard the ship Bombay. The opening segments vividly depict the hustle and bustle of 1842 Brooklyn and Hill's preparations for departure, including purchasing his sea gear and emotional farewells to family. The account sets the stage for his adventures, marked by a mixture of excitement and trepidation as he grapples with the realities of a sailor's life, including seasickness and harsh conditions, highlighting both the challenges and the romantic allure of life at sea. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Originally published: United States: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1893