A Memory of the Southern Seas 1904

"A Memory of the Southern Seas" by Louis Becke is a narrative collection of stories set against the backdrop of the South Seas, written in the early 20th century. The opening portion focuses on various characters and accounts related to seafaring life, particularly highlighting the notorious figure of Captain "Bully" Hayes, known for his tumultuous nature and the colorful tales that surround him. Through anecdotes and observations about life at sea, the work delves into themes of adventure, morality, and the complexities of human nature. At the start of the book, Becke introduces Captain Hayes, providing a sketch of his life intertwined with historical figures like missionary James Chalmers. The narrative recounts Hayes’s reputation and the myths that fuel his legendary status. It describes a series of encounters, shedding light on his interactions with missionaries and his unpredictable temperament, while also juxtaposing humor and darker undertones of his exploits. Through this vivid portrayal, readers begin to grasp the chaotic yet engaging world of the Southern Seas and the larger-than-life characters that inhabit it, setting the stage for future stories that explore other facets of maritime life. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

George Lewis Becke was at the turn of the nineteenth century, the most prolific, significant, and internationally renowned Australian-born writer of the South Pacific region. Having lived and worked among Pacific Islands and Islanders as a trader, ship's supercargo, and villager for some two decades, learning languages and observing natural and cultural life, Becke was prompted by J F Archibald of The Bulletin to write down his experiences, eventually becoming a popular and respected author of short stories, novellas, novels, as well as historic and ethnographic works.