The Lively Poll: A Tale of the North Sea

"The Lively Poll: A Tale of the North Sea" by R. M. Ballantyne is a story set in the late 1800s that follows the tough lives of fishermen in the North Sea. The book centers on Manx Bradley, the leader of a fishing fleet, and the crew of a fishing boat called the Lively Poll. It shows the strong bonds between the fishermen and the hardships they face at sea, like bad weather and dangerous work. The story also explores the problems of alcoholism and gambling among the fishermen and the work of missionaries who are trying to help them find religion. The story begins by showing how busy and lively the North Sea fishing fleet is, led by the admiral. We see the everyday work of the fishermen, who risk their lives to catch fish. The captain of the Lively Poll, Stephen Lockley, and his crew work hard all night pulling in nets and dealing with the dangers of the sea. The book quickly shows how the characters relate to each other, their jokes, and the bigger problems they face, like addiction and tough choices. The beginning of the story shows the challenges of fishing and the personal struggles of the characters, especially Fred Martin, who is getting better from an illness and trying to make good choices despite the temptations around him.