The Naval Apprentice's Kedge-Anchor; or, Young Sailor's Assistant; Appertaining to the Practical Evolutions of Seamanship, Rigging, Knotting, Splicing Blocks, Purchases, Running Rigging, and Other Miscellaneous Matters Applicable to Ships of War and Others.
New York: Taylor and Clement, 1841. First Edition. Hardcover. 328 pages. Frontis illustration of the U.S. School Ship North Carolina present Illustrations (8 folding plates and the Frontispiece). Dedicated to John Gallagher, Esq., Captain United States Navy. Captain Gallagher commanded the USS North Carolina as a ship of the line and into her role as a receiving (training) vessel. Index. Tables. Some foxing. Front flyleaf torn out, pencil notes inside rear board and flyleaf, spine quite worn: small tears, slits, pieces missing. Boards weak and quite scuffed and spotted. A portion front endpaper missing. Sentiment written inside the rear board: Brother Sailor here do stop and bend a hand to strap this block. Howes B-715; Albion, p. 71. Considered by Albion one of the most substantial and useful books on naval history. The rare first edition. It is noted that there was another publication of this work in 1841 by Shaw and Frye, also of New York. The first USS NORTH CAROLINA, a 74-gun ship of the line, was launched in Philadelphia, September 1820, and fitted out in Norfolk, Virginia, with Master Commandant Charles W. Morgan in command. A three-masted square-rigger with an overall length of 196 feet 3 inches and beam of 54 feet, she displaced 2,633 tons and carried a complement of 820. As Commodore John Rodgers’ flagship in the Mediterranean from 1825-1827, NORTH CAROLINA symbolized naval might and provided the young republic much-needed prestige and respectability. Her second voyage was in the Pacific Squadron from 1836-1839. Then the Ship-of-the-Line became a receiving [training] ship in New York Navy Yard. Immediately upon its publication in the mid-nineteenth century, this book became the Bible of U.S. sailors, who used it daily and followed its advice assiduously. The Kedge-Anchor's no-nonsense prose provided specific instruction for every aspect of sailing the great ships of the age — from knotting and rigging to blacking the guns, from stationing the crew to dealing with the direst emergencies. The young sailor learns about stowing provisions, driving before the wind. Securing the ship for sea, and setting and shifting course. He also learns what to do in the extremities of life at sea: how to unbend a topsail in a gate and how to prepare for a hurricane; what to do if the tiller breaks, the mainmast is carried away, or the ship leaks faster than the pumps can free her. Detailed instructions explain procedures for dealing with fires, squalls, and waterspouts, what to do when the main rigging is shot away by an enemy or when a man has fallen overboard, and how to abandon ship and take to the boats when necessary. The author wrote in the Preface to the First Edition: In offering the following work to the public, the author deems no apology necessary, as it was written for the use of the U.S. Naval Apprentices, as a ready means of introducing them to the theory of that art by which they must expect to advance in the profession they have chosen. He flatters himself, however, that it will be found useful to any who intend to embrace the Sailor life, and particularly to those destined for the Navy. Should it fall into the hands of the learned, they will bear in mind that he is better versed with the marlinespike than the pen, and that it was composed in the hours of relaxation from official duties. He is not aware that there is any other work of this kind, except those which are large and expensive; he therefore hopes that it may be received for that which it is intended to be, a KEDGE- ANCHOR, for the youthful sailor. The work has been submitted to the inspection of a number of experienced naval officers, who have given it their decided approbation, and some of whose names are appended to the work. With these few remarks, he submits it to a discerning public, to stand or fall on its own merits. Condition: Fair.
Keywords: Seamanship, Naval, Kedge-Anchor, Nautical, Naval Manuals, Sailors, Sailing Ships, Rigging, Splicing, Knotting, Maritime
[Book #9981]
Price: $1,500.00