The World of Ice

"The World of Ice" by R. M. Ballantyne is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story centers around the whaling journey of the brig "Dolphin," focusing on a variety of characters, notably John Buzzby, a seasoned sailor, and young Fred Ellice, the son of Captain Ellice. The narrative explores themes of adventure and the harsh realities of whaling expeditions in the Arctic regions, infused with elements of personal growth and excitement in the face of danger. At the start of the novel, readers are introduced to John Buzzby, who stands on a pier in Grayton, observing the preparations of the whaling ship. He engages in a playful yet serious dialogue with Fred Ellice, who yearns to accompany his father on this perilous journey. The tension heightens with references to a past pirate attack that left deep emotional scars on Fred's family, particularly concerning his mother. The narrative then shifts to the launching of the "Dolphin," detailing the crew, their motivations, and the start of their voyage into the icy unknown, setting up an atmosphere of adventure filled with anticipation and danger as they embark on their search for whales, and potentially, the missing Captain Ellice. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Robert Michael Ballantyne was a Scottish author of juvenile fiction, who wrote more than a hundred books. He was also an accomplished artist: he exhibited some of his water-colours at the Royal Scottish Academy.