Sam is desperate to leave his sleepy Norfolk village and see the world. He seizes the chance to join a merchant ship but soon discovers that a life at sea is harsh and often short, especially when his ship is attacked by a French privateer. About to be boarded, they fear all is lost, but the privateers are driven off by the appearance of a Royal Navy ship. Sam's relief is short-lived. Soon after, another Navy ship sends over a press gang, and he is forced to join the frigate Miranda. War with France and Spain is raging and Sam is caught in the middle with a dangerous job as a powder monkey in the company of a brutal crew. An amazingly well-researched adventure giving a glimpse of one boy's incredible life at sea.
| ISBN: | 9780747595953 |
| Publication date: | 6th October 2008 |
| Author: | Paul Dowswell |
| Publisher: | Bloomsbury Children's Books an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 275 pages |
| Series: | The Adventures of Sam Witchall |
| Genres: |
Children’s / Teenage fiction: General, modern and contemporary fiction Historical Fiction |