Author
Basil Lubbock
1876-1944
Basil Lubbock (1876-1944) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
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Books by Basil Lubbock
The Colonial Clippers
"The Colonial Clippers" by Basil Lubbock is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book explores the fascinating history and development of colonial clipper ships, which played a significant role in the expansion of the British Empire, particularly focusing on their journeys to Australia and New Zealand during the gold rush era. At the start of the book, Lubbock sets the stage by highlighting the adventurous spirit of pioneers and the importance of gold in driving colonization. He recounts the dismal conditions faced by emigrants before the discovery of gold in Australia in the early 1850s, detailing the hardships of long voyages aboard overcrowded and poorly equipped ships. The narrative transitions into a pivotal moment in history with the gold rush, illustrating how it transformed shipping practices and led to a surge in demand for faster, more efficient vessels. Through vivid descriptions, Lubbock paints a picture of both the glory and the challenges of the shipping industry during this transformative period.
Jack Derringer : $b A tale of deep water
"Jack Derringer: A Tale of Deep Water" by Basil Lubbock is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story focuses on the experiences of a cowboy named Bucking Broncho, who finds himself shanghaied aboard a notorious American sailing ship, the "Silas K. Higgins". Lubbock seeks to depict the harsh realities of life at sea while also revealing the underlying allure and adventure that the ocean holds for those brave enough to answer its call. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Bucking Broncho, who awakens in a disheveled and chaotic foc'sle, surrounded by a drunken crew after having been kidnapped and forced aboard the ship. As he navigates this unfamiliar and harsh environment, he encounters Jack Derringer, a resourceful British sailor with a shrouded past. The two characters quickly bond as Broncho learns about ship life and the brutal hierarchy enforced by the ship's mate, Black Davis. As the story unfolds, the ship's atmosphere becomes increasingly tense following a violent confrontation that results in the death of the second mate, leading to further complications and dramatic developments among the crew.
Round the Horn before the mast
"Round the Horn before the mast" by Basil Lubbock is a maritime memoir written in the early 20th century. It follows a gentleman volunteer who ships before the mast on the four‑masted barque Royalshire to experience deep‑water life on a grain passage from San Francisco around Cape Horn toward Europe. The narrative dwells on the gritty work, seamanship, and shipboard culture of the great windjammers, painting vivid portraits of officers, crew, and ports. It promises realism, humor, and danger rather than romance. The opening of this narrative finds the narrator in San Francisco after the Klondike, choosing the Royalshire, signing on, and pairing up with fellow recruit Don Henderson. He outfits like a common seaman and plunges into hard labor: unloading Japanese coal, scouring stringers and bilges, chipping and painting, wrestling wire moorings, and enduring rough fare—relieved by cricket matches and the Seamen’s Institute. The ship shifts to Oakland Creek and Port Costa to line the holds and load barley, while a suspicious Swedish sailmaker appears, a classic South Sea whaler is spotted, and the crew bends sail aloft in a stiff wind. There are swims in the Sacramento, a sandy-shore breakfast on a boat errand, and a grim episode when an apprentice from another ship drowns and the Royalshire’s “nipper” is nearly lost. After finishing cargo and returning to the bay, a mixed crew drifts aboard, the narrator briefly serves as steward, and the harbor erupts in celebration for returning troops as the ship is dressed overall. Before dawn, the men man the capstan, a tug takes hold, the anchor breaks out, and the Royalshire heads to sea.