Cappy Ricks; Or, the Subjugation of Matt Peasley

by Peter B. (Peter Bernard) Kyne

"Cappy Ricks; Or, the Subjugation of Matt Peasley" by Peter B. Kyne is a novel written during the early 20th century. The story revolves around Cappy Ricks, an aging but shrewd businessman and ship owner in the lumber and shipping trade, and his dealings with Matt Peasley, a young sailor aspiring to rise in rank within the maritime world. The novel explores themes of ambition, authority, and the dynamics between employer and employee within the backdrop of the sailing trade. At the start of the book, we are introduced to Cappy Ricks, a well-off yet somewhat eccentric character who prefers to oversee his businesses casually, leaving much of the management to his general manager, Mr. Skinner. However, the plot thickens when a hefty cablegram reveals that Matt Peasley, a brash and ambitious young man, has recently found himself in charge of the barkentine Retriever following the captain's death. As Matt asserts his authority, he issues threats towards his potential successor, resulting in a tangled web of maritime law and corporate hierarchy in which Peasley finds himself defiant against the established order. This opening sets the stage for a gripping tale of personal ambition, corporate conflict, and the inevitable clash between Cappy Ricks and the fiery young sailor.