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Nautical Fiction Index

Authros J - Jen

Jablonski, Joseph

Three Star Fix. Gardenia Press, 2002. 342 pages

Exiled from home for offending the village priest, young Jake Thomas boards a freighter in New Orleans, entering an exotic world of a ship and the sea. As the vessel sails into the sultry Southern hemisphere, Jake encounters bizarre characters and courageously faces danger, but falters when the voyage turns into a spiritual and emotional odyssey.

 

 

 

Jabra, Jabra Ibrahim (1919-1994)

The Ship. Three Continents Press, 1985. 200 pages

Original title al-Safinah, 1970. Taking a trip on a cruise ship from Beirut to Italy are Isam Salman, an architect from Baghdad who has studied in London and Wadi Assaf, a Palestinian buisnessman who lives in exile in Kuwait. As the ship sails from Beiut to Naples, the journey is marked by flashbacks, conversations and foreshadowing. Translated by Adnan Haydar & Roger Allen.

 

 

 

Jackson, Basil (1920- )

Rage under the Arctic. Norton, 1974. 220 pages

One tiny technical flaw turns the historic first voyage of the first submarine supertanker under the frozen Arctic Ocean into a potential death sentence for her crew and environmental catastrophe for the world. Later reprinted as Spill!.

 

 

 

Jackson, Jane

Tide of fortune. Robert Hale, 2004. 256 pages

It's 1795 and 19-year-old Kerenza Vyvyan's estranged family has been missing for a year on a trading voyage to the Mediterranean. When her father returns fo raise the ransom needed to free his wife and elder daughter held hostage in Tangier, he demands Kerenza sail back with him on the packet, Kestrel . But the Kestrel's commander is Nick Penrose, the man who broke Kerenza's heart. Following an attack by a French privateer, and traumatic events on board, Kestrel reaches Tangier. But the dangers survived are only a taste of those to come. Tentatively reconciled, Kerenza and Nick draw strength from each other.


 

Dangerous Waters. Robert Hale, 2006. 222 pages

Twenty-year-old Phoebe Dymond, a trained herbalist and midwife, boards the packet ship Providence bound for Jamaica and an arranged marriage. Incidents on board provoke clashes between Phoebe and the ship's surgeon, Jowan Crossley. But, their professional antagonism turns to mutual respect and a deepening attraction.


 

 

Devil's Prize. Robert Hale, 2008. 224 pages

Cornish smuggler, Devlin 'Devil' Varcoe, braves winter weather and revenue men to fetch the contraband on which Porthinnis depends for survival. Drawn to Jenefer Trevanion, whose father finances the smuggling operation, Devlin is seduced by beautiful wild-child Tamara Gillis.

 

 

 

Jacobs, W. W. (William Wymark) (1863-1943)

Many Cargoes. Laurence & Bullen, 1896. 247 pages

A change of treatment -- A love passage -- The captain's exploit -- Contraband of war -- A black affair -- The skipper of the "Osprey."--In borrowed plumes -- The boatswain's watch -- Low water -- In mid-Atlantic -- After the inquest -- In Limehouse Reach -- An elaborate elopement -- The cook of the "Gannet."--A benefit performance -- A case of desertion -- Outsailed -- Mated -- The rival beauties -- Mrs. Bunker's chaperon -- A harbour of refuge.


 

 

 

The Skipper's Wooing; and, The brown man's servant. F.A. Stokes, 1897. 190 pages

 

 

 

 

 


Sea Urchins. Laurence & Bullen, 1898. 243 pages

Published in the U.S. as "More Cargoes". Contents: Smoked skipper -- A safety match -- A rash experiment -- The cabin passenger -- Choice spirits -- A disciplinarian -- Brother Hutchins -- The disbursement sheet -- Rule of three -- Pickled herring -- Two of a trade -- An intervention -- The grey parrot -- Money-changers -- The lost ship.


 

 

 

A Master of Craft. McKinlay, Stone & Mackenzie, 1900. 239 pages

The story tells of marital mishap and misadventure among mariners in the East End of London. Will Poppy Tyrell find happiness? What are the dark secrets of Cap'n Flower. Rest assured that all will be revealed and there will be a happy ending.


 

 

 

Light Freights. Dodd, Mead, 1901. 315 pages

An odd freak -- A question of habit -- Hard labour -- A garden plot -- Private clothes -- The bully of the "Cavendish" -- The resurrection of Mr. Wiggett -- A marked man -- To have and to hold -- Brevet rank -- Twin spirits -- Sam's boy -- A will and a way -- Jerry Bundler -- The peacemaker -- False colours.


 

 

 

At Sunwich Port. C. Scribner's, 1902. 351 pages


 

 

 

 

The Lady of the Barge. Dodd, Mead, 1902. 300 pages

The lady of the barge.--The monkey's paw.--Bill's paper chase.--The well.--Cupboard love.--In the library.--Captain Rogers.--A tiger's skin.--A mixed proposal.--An adulteration act.--A golden venture.--Three at table.


 

 

 

Odd Craft. C. Scribner's Sons, 1903. 341 pages

The money box.--The castaway.-- Blundell's improvement.--Bill's lapse.--Lawyer Quince.--Breaking a spell.-- Establishing relations.--The changing numbers.--The persecution of Bob Pretty.-- Dixon's return.--A spirit of avarice.--The third string.--Odd charges.--Admiral Peters.


 

 

 

Captain's All. McKinlay, Stone & Mackenzie, 1905. 269 pages

Captains all--The boatswain's mate--The nest egg--The constable's move--Bob's redemption--Over the side--Four pigeons--The temptation of Samuel Burge--The madness of Mr. Lister--The white cat.


 

 

 

Short Cruises. Scribner's, 1907. 296 pages

The changeling -- Mixed relations -- His lordship -- Alf's dream -- A distant relative -- The test -- In the family -- A love-knot -- Her uncle -- The dreamer -- Angel's visits -- A circular tour.


 

 

 

Salthaven. C. Scribner's, 1908. 316 pages


 

 

 

 

Sailor's Knots. C. Scribner's, 1909. 283 pages

Deserted.--Homeward bound.--Self- help.--Sentence deferred.-- "Matrimonial openings."--Odd man out.--"The toll- house."--Peter's pence.--The head of the family.--Prize money.--Double dealing.-- Keeping up appearances.


 

 

 

Ship's Company. C. Scribner's, 1911. 261 pages

Fine feathers.--Friends in need.--Good intentions.--Fairy gold.--Watch-dogs.--The bequest.--The guardian angel.--Dual control.--Skilled assistance.--For better or worse.--The old man of the sea.--"Manners makyth man."


 

 

 

Night Watches. C. Scribner's, 1914. 247 pages

Back to back.--Keeping watch.--The understudy.--The weaker vessel.--Stepping backwards.--The three sisters.--The unknown.--The vigil.--Easy money.--His other self.


 

 

 

The Castaways. C. Scribner's, 1917. 303 pages

A yachting trip around the world by a suddenly-rich bachelor.


 

 

 

Deep Waters. C. Scribners, 1919. 290 pages

Shareholders -- Paying off -- Made to measure -- Sam's ghost -- Bedridden -- The convert -- Husbandry -- Family cares -- The winter offensive -- The substitute -- Striking hard -- Dirty work.


 

 

 

Sea Whispers. C. Scribner's, 1926. 293 pages

The Bravo -- Taking pains -- His brother's keeper -- Trust money -- Kitchen company -- The Model -- Artful cards -- Handsome Harry -- The Blindness of Capt. Ferguson -- Wapping-on-Thames -- The Interruption -- Bed cases.


 

 

 

Master Sea Stories. E.J. Clode, 1929. 330 pages

The black hour / A. Philips and G. Stair.--A nightmare of the Doldrums / W.C. Russell.--The fate of the Alida / L. Becke.--The salving of the Duncansby Head / C.J.C. Hyne.--A ride on a whale, by F.T. Bullen.--The floating beacon, anonymous.--False colors / W.W. Jacobs.-- The strange story of the Emily Brand / A.H. Allen.--The craft of death / R.T. Rose.--The derelict Neptune / M. Robertson.--Ms. found in a bottle / E.A. Poe.--The haven of dead ships / S. Baxter.--The fatal repast, anonymous.--A deal with Spain / J.A. Barry.--The seeker / W.H. Holton.--A cigar cat / W.L. Alden.--J. Habakuk Jephson's statement / A.C. Doyle.


 

Snug Harbor. C. Scribner's, 1931. 681 pages

Collected short stories.

 

 

 

 

 

Jahnn, Hans Henry (1894-1959)

The Ship. Scribner, 1961. 210 pages

An intense mystery story, combining nautical realism, metaphysics and surrealism. When Gustav bends down to retrieve the suitcase he had so thoughtlessly kicked under the berth, he found that where a bulkhead should have been there was no wall but only infinite space. Translation of Das Holzenchiff (1948), the first volume of the trilogy River Without Banks.

 

 

 

James, John (1923-1993)

Talleyman series:

  1. Talleyman. Gollancz, 1986. 247 pages

    Shipping action in the mid 19th century.

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  3. Talleyman in the Ice. Futura, 1989. 342 pages

    Persuaded to go back to sea as Second Lieutenant aboard the steam frigate FLAMINGO on a secret mission to Murmansk in Arctic Russia Thomas Talleyman is ice-bound until the next Spring. As he has helped land a secret agent to support a rebellion against the Tsar trouble lies ahead in this very interestingly detailed novel set in the 1850s.

 

 

 

Jameson, Storm (1891-1986)

Triumph of Time series:

  1. The Lovely Ship. A.A. Knopf, 1927. 328 pages

    While still a child, Mary Hervey comes under the influence of her uncle, one of England's great shipbuilders, and eventually becomes that company's owner.

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  3. The Voyage Home. A.A. Knopf, 1930. 269 pages

    Mary Hervey now in her middle years, copes with her wayward children.

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  5. A Richer Dust. A.A. Knopf, 1931. 459 pages

    Now her seventies, Mary Hervey during the first decades of the 20th Century, seeks an heir to her shipbuilding empire.

 

 

 

 

 

Jane, Fred T. (1865-1916)

Blake of the "Rattlesnake" : or, The man who saved England; a story of torpedo warfare in 189- W. Thacker, 1895. 269 pages

Britain and France at war, Russians join French but the British Navy and the RATTLESNAKE in particular win the day. This genre of novels were for an adult market and were substantial works, often complete with fold-out maps, charts, tables and illustrations similar to those appearing in The Illustrated London News and were written by the defence experts of the day and did not always concentrate on the naval aspects. Jane was a naval authority, although slow to identify the German threat. His name still adorns todays leading annual naval work.

 

 

 

Jean, Rima L.

The Noble Pirates. Cogito Media Group, 2011. 352 pages

A vacation in the Bahamas goes awry, and a woman from 2009 unexpectedly finds herself in 1718 - amidst pirates. Sabrina is so consumed with her present-day problems that the last thing she expects is to suddenly end up face to face with real pirates. The notorious bad boys of the Golden Age of Piracy, Edward England, Howel Davis, and Black Bart Roberts, become Sabrina's means of survival in the past, and ultimately, her key to returning to the future. Sabrina happens to be carrying a book about pirates when she is swept into the past, and that book contains biographies of the very men she meets. She forms relationships with them and learns that, contrary to what she previously thought, they are sailors, servants, and slaves who were pressed into service, victims of social and historical circumstances of the era.

 

 

Jeans, Thomas Tendron

Mr. Midshipman Glover, R.N. : A Tale of the Royal Navy of To-day. Blackie and Son, 1909. 1 volume

With government connivance British Naval officers are being hired as naval mercenaries to Chinese business interests, provided with newly built warships and charged with destroying the powerful pirate organisations preying on commerce in the China Seas.


 

 

 

On Foreign Service or The Santa Cruz Revolution. Blackie & Son, 1911. 381 pages

British citizens and business interests are suffering at the hands of the dictator of Santa Cruz, Central America; retribution arrives in the form of two Royal Navy armoured cruisers - the HECTOR and the HERCULES. The British are not as impartial as perhaps they should be. One of the leading insurgents is the brother of the hero of the story, Sub-Lieutenant William Wilson, RN and eventually a pro-British president is in power.


 

 

 

John Graham Sub-Lieutenant R.N.A. : A Tale of the Atlantic Fleet. Blackie & Son, 1913. 382 pages

The eponymous sub-lieutenant tells the story of the Atlantic Fleet during its ordinary routine of showing the flag and battle practice and how the intense rivalry between the ship's companies of the six battleships manifests itself throughout the fleet and particularly among the gunroom officers.


 

 

 

A Naval Venture: The War Story of an Armoured Cruiser. Blackie & Son, 1917. 416 pages


 

 

 

 

 

Gunboat and Gun-runner: A Tale of the Persian Gulf. Blackie & Son, 1915. 384 pages

 

 

 

 

 


Ford of H.M.S. Vigilant: A Tale of the Chusan Archipelago. Blackie & Son, 1910. 352 pages

 

 

 

 

 

Jekel, Pamela

Sea Star: the private life of Anne Bonny, pirate queen. Harmony, 1983. 391 pages

Steamy.

 

 

 

 

 

Jenkins, Geoffrey (1920-2001)

A Twist of Sand. Collins, 1959. 252 pages

Takes place on the African coast and is split over time, flashing back to WW II and a nuclear U-boat. This comes as a flashback from the main character who was an allied submarine skipper and sank the U-boat. In the "present-day" sequence a search, possibly for oil, comes into it, and some of the Nazis reappear. A good bit of thud and blunder. Made into a film.


 

 

 

The Watering Place of Good Peace. Collins, 1960. 318 pages

John Barrow persuades Ian Ogilvie to leave Pretoria and work day and night to build an electric shark barrier on the lonely Mozambique coast - 100 years earlier another Barrow and Ogilvie had come to the same place on a sinister enterprise which ended in tragedy and death. What is the link?


 

 

 

Grue of Ice. Viking, 1962. 242 pages

Modern whaling, his best book, some think.


 

 

 

 

 

The River of Diamonds. Viking, 1964. 246 pages

Diamonds lie on the sea-bed off the coast of South Africa. A ship specially built to recover them, the MAZY ZED, is anchored off Mercury Island, where the headman, an Englishman, is determined to sabotage the operation.


 

 

 

Hunter-killer. Putnam, 1967. 288 pages

Cold War nuclear submarine tale.


 

 

 

 

 

Hollow Sea. Putnam, 1972. 253 pages

A Scend of Sea in UK. All about nuclear subs and ICBMs and takes place in the (then) present or near future. It's a sort of chase book, set in the Indian Ocean and revolves about an RN? ICBM and the faked death of its inventor. The chase takes place between various Western factions rather than the usual cold war scenario. Worth a read.


 

 

 

The Bridge of Magpies. Collins, 1974. 254 pages

A story of U-boats, torpedoed liners, sunken frigates and Nazi-Japanese skullduggery carried through to the present day and centred on the eponymous landmark on South Africas Diamond Coast. The Author's customary ability to give a desolate and inhospitable landscape a magical and mysterious aura and to populate his stories with unusual characters makes this a good yarn.


 

 

 

South Trap. Collins, 1979. 294 pages

A thrill-seekers cruise in the South Atlantic ends in murder and shipwreck on a wind lashed island.


 

 

 

A Ravel of Waters. Collins, 1981. 252 pages

A revolutionary computerized sailing ship is out to break the speed record from South America to the Cape of Good Hope. Her captain is murdered, her journey sabotaged and the world watches as a lone yachtsman trys to complete it.

 

 

 

Jennings, John Edward (1906-1973)

The Salem Frigate. Doubleday, 1946. 500 pages

Uptight doctor and roguish carpenter play out their rivalry over the same women in the US Navy of 1798-1815, centered on the frigate ESSEX, which they helped build. During the course of the story both serve on the ESSEX during its first voyage, the PHILADELPHIA during the Barbary Wars and the ESSEX again in the War of 1812. The doctor also sees action on the PRESIDENT in its fight with the LITTLE BELT.


 

 

The Sea Eagles, a story of the American Navy during the Revolution; of the men who fought and the ships they sailed and the women who stood behind them. Doubleday, 1950. 299 pages

Joshua Barney helps win the Revolutionary war.


 

 

 

Rogue's Yarn. Little, Brown, 1953. 311 pages

Son of a Maryland farmer joins a Quaker branch of the family that runs a shipping company. Boredom and entanglements with a French woman leads him to take to the sea during the Quasi-War with France, becoming a privateer and later serving aboard the CONSTELLATION.


 

 

 

Chronicle of the Calypso, Clipper; a novel of the golden days of the California trade, of the great ocean race around Cape Horn, of the clipper ships, and of the men - and women- who sailed in them. Little, Brown, 1955. 295 pages

Maiden voyage of the clipper ship CALYPSO, as it races the WOLFHOUND from New York to San Francisco during Gold Rush days. It's cargo? Argonettes -- a load of women from New York City, including 30 hookers from a bordello relocating to San Francisco. The madam arranged for the charter to conceal the nature of her charges! A hoot.


 

The Wind in His Fists; a novel of Ireland and Spain and Barbary, in the middle of the sixteenth century: of the struggle between Christendom and Islam, the power of the Turks in the Mediterranean, and the terror of the "Scourge of Allah," 1557-1571. Holt, 1956. 384 pages

Irish farmboy leaves for abroad to escape a murder charge, but as an archer in Spain, helps some Moors and ends up sentenced to the galleys. After regaining his freedom through an act of courage he is again sentenced to the galleys, but is freed by the Moslems. He then becomes the terror of the Mediterranean as a Barbary corsair. Based loosely on an ancestor of Jennings. Does not get to sea for the first third of the novel.


 

The Tall Ships. McGraw-Hill, 1958. 229 pages

Young Marylander joins the frigate CHESAPEAKE to escape a hometown scandal, but get invalided out of the Navy after its battle with the LEOPARD. Seeking to remain at sea, he signs on with a fast merchant ship that makes its fortune by ignoring various British, French, & US embargo laws. When the War of 1812 starts, the hero signs on with the same skipper, who is now a privateer, and goes to Britain seeking his lady-love.


 

 

 

The Raider, a novel of World War I; the chronicle of a gallant ship. Morrow, 1963. 272 pages

Fictionalization of the exploits of SMS EMDEN in WW I. This German light cruiser cut a swath from China to Africa and back, before finally getting trapped in the Indian Ocean by HMAS SYDNEY.

 

 

 

 

Jennings, Luke (1953- )

Atlantic. Hutchinson, 1995. 237 pages

Set in 1947, a young schoolboy is taken by his father on a transatlantic liner to New York so that he can have a heart operation. Within the confines of the liner, and with the emotional and physical debris of the war still evident, the passengers embark on a voyage into the unknown.

 

 

 

Jensen, Carsten (1952- )

We, the Drowned. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010. 693 pages

Original title: Vi, de druknede. In 1848 a motley crew of Danish sailors sets sail from the small island town of Marstal to fight the Germans. Not all of them return, and those who do will never be the same again. The novel spans four generations, two world wars and a hundred years.

 

 

 


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