Caleb West, Master Diver

"Caleb West, Master Diver" by Francis Hopkinson Smith is a thrilling tale of ambition and camaraderie set against the backdrop of a late 19th-century lighthouse construction. The story revolves around Henry Sanford, a bright-eyed young engineer, as he tackles the monumental task of building a lighthouse on the treacherous Shark Ledge, depending on the skills of Captain Joe and Caleb West. As the sun rises each day, Sanford's anticipation builds as he gets ready for the work ahead, including the expected arrival of the Screamer sloop. The relationships among these characters showcase themes of friendship, hard work, and the raw strength of the natural world, inviting readers to experience an era where human determination meets the untamed sea.