The Young Supercargo: A Story of the Merchant Marine

"The Young Supercargo: A Story of the Merchant Marine" by William Drysdale is a late 19th-century story about a boy named Kit, who escapes the streets and finds a new life at sea. As a cabin boy on the steamship "North Cape", he grows from a homeless boy into a responsible young man, facing the hardships and excitement of maritime life. Kit's journey begins in Brooklyn, where he runs into trouble but is saved by Captain Griffith, who sees his potential and offers him a job. The story explores themes of personal growth, honesty, and the challenges of life on the open water, as Kit remembers his past and looks forward to his future at sea.