The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Atlantic

by John Henry Goldfrap

"The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Atlantic" by Captain Wilbur Lawton is a young adult adventure novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows Jack Ready, a determined sixteen-year-old who aspires to be a wireless operator. Faced with numerous rejections, Jack's life takes a thrilling turn when he bravely rescues a drowning girl, which leads to a chance at his dream job aboard a cargo ship. At the start of the novel, readers are introduced to Jack, who is disheartened by his unsuccessful search for work in wireless telegraphy. As he walks near the docks, an emergency arises when a young girl falls overboard, prompting Jack to dive in and rescue her. This heroic act earns him the admiration of the girl's influential father, ship-owner Jacob Jukes. However, Jack chooses to remain humble and declines a reward, believing his actions were simply the right thing to do. Shortly after, he learns that he has secured a position on the Titan Line's tanker, the Ajax, beginning his journey in the thrilling world of maritime adventures and challenges across the Atlantic.