All Adrift; Or, The Goldwing Club

by Oliver Optic

"All Adrift; Or, The Goldwing Club" by Oliver Optic is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around a young boy named Dory Dornwood, who, after losing his job as a waiter, seeks a way to support his struggling family while facing various adventures on Lake Champlain. Dory encounters challenges and opportunities, leading him to purchase a sailboat named the Goldwing, which has a notorious reputation for accidents. At the start of the narrative, we meet Dory as he works on a steamboat, where he faces a temperamental passenger named Major Billcord, which results in his unjust discharge. Disheartened but determined, Dory wanders Plattsburgh in search of work but instead becomes embroiled in a mysterious encounter involving a stranger and a gunshot. After helping this stranger, he receives a reward and ultimately uses this money to acquire the Goldwing. As the story unfolds, Dory’s bold spirit and ingenuity come to the forefront, leading him to inspire a group of friends to form the Goldwing Club, highlighting themes of camaraderie, adventure, and personal growth.