The Ice Pilot

"The Ice Pilot" by Henry Leverage is an early 20th-century novel about Horace Stirling who they call the Ice Pilot. He sails the Arctic waters, with all their dangers, aboard the whaling ship "Pole Star". Though haunted by past disappointments, Stirling's life takes an interesting turn when he becomes part of a perplexing adventure. It all begins on a rainy night in San Francisco, where Stirling finds himself drawn back to sea after a disastrous attempt at becoming a chicken farmer. His search for a ship leads him to a dubious tavern, the Blubber Room, and a series of unfortunate events that leave him as an unwilling member of the "Pole Star's" crew. As the ship progresses into the icy regions, the story builds with suspense, Stirling faces uncertainty about Captain Marr's plans and the strange mix of characters among the crew, promising an adventure full of mystery and danger.