William Henry Giles Kingston
My First Cruise, and Other stories
"My First Cruise, and Other Stories" by W.H.G. Kingston is a collection of short stories written in the mid-19th century. The first story, which shares the title of the collection, is told through the diary entries of a young midshipman named Pringle Rushforth detailing his experience on his first voyage at sea. This series of tales can be expected to explore themes of adventure, growth, and the adventures of youth in the naval context. The opening of the book introduces Pringle Rushforth as he writes a letter to his brother Harry from aboard a frigate. Filled with excitement, he describes his feelings about becoming a midshipman and details early incidents aboard, including the camaraderie amongst his fellow midshipmen and his initial challenges at sea. His excitement quickly turns to trepidation as he faces the harsh realities of naval life, including a sudden gale and the social dynamics within his crew. This introduction sets the stage for an array of youthful escapades and discoveries during his journey at sea, fascinating for readers interested in nautical adventures and coming-of-age stories.