Afloat at Last: A Sailor Boy's Log of His Life at Sea

"Afloat at Last: A Sailor Boy's Log of His Life at Sea" by John C. Hutcheson is an adventure story on the open ocean that follows Allan Graham, a vicar's son, as he becomes a sailor on the Silver Queen; the story details Allan's early days as an apprentice, his developing friendships with the other sailors, and the troubles he faces during a trip to Shanghai, painting a picture of life on a ship in vivid detail, starting with Allan's eagerness to begin his seafaring and his father’s reluctance, before moving on to the characters that influence Allan's journey like the supportive bosun, Tim Rooney and the exciting adventures that await the young sailor as he learns the ins and outs of his new seafaring life.