The Wrecking Master

"The Wrecking Master" by Ralph Delahaye Paine is a historical novel that plunges into the dangerous world of maritime salvage in the early 1900s. It centers on Captain Jim Wetherly of the tug "Resolute" and his young deckhand, Dan Frazier, as they navigate the treacherous Florida Reef. The book explores themes of unwavering loyalty, lurking suspicion, and the moral complexities faced by wrecking masters. After rescuing a dismasted bark, Wetherly and Frazier find themselves rescuing two men, one being the infamous Jeremian Pringle, creating a tangled web of hidden agendas and uncertain alliances. The story unfolds, highlighting the contrast between Dan's uncle's distrust and his growing connection to Pringle's son, delivering a gripping tale of action, mystery, and challenging moral choices within the wrecking trade.