The Praying Skipper and Other Stories - Tales of the Sea: Adventure and Reflection in Nautical Fiction

Ralph Delahaye Paine

Summary

In "The Praying Skipper, and Other Stories," Ralph Delahaye Paine artfully weaves an intricate tapestry of maritime adventures, exploring the intimate relationship between man and the sea. Paine's narrative style is marked by vivid imagery and a lyrical cadence, captivating readers as each story unfolds against the backdrop of the ocean's vastness. His collection is not merely a series of tales; it embodies a profound reflection on courage, camaraderie, and the human spirit, echoing the work of contemporaries such as Jack London and Joseph Conrad, while infusing it with a distinct American sensibility and an optimistic zest for life. Ralph Delahaye Paine was not only a gifted storyteller but also an accomplished sailor and journalist, whose diverse experiences significantly shaped his literary output. Raised in a family that encouraged exploration, he developed a keen affinity for the sea and the tales it inspires. His travels and extensive writings on maritime life provided him with a wealth of material, making him uniquely qualified to portray the essence of seafaring and human resilience in his fiction. Readers seeking tales that inspire both adventure and contemplation will find "The Praying Skipper, and Other Stories" an enriching exploration of maritime life. Paine'Äôs adept storytelling, paired with his first-hand experiences, invites us to embark on unforgettable journeys that reveal the depths of the human condition. Whether you're a seasoned maritime enthusiast or new to seafaring literature, this collection is a treasure trove of reflection and excitement.

Available since: 11/14/2023.

Print length: 131 pages.

Other books that might interest you

Sailing the Seven Sustainable Seas

Martin Chambers

"What I like about sailing is that it is sustainable. You set the sails and the wind propels and you can go to the end of the world with little extra thought. You don't need too many clothes and certainly you are not a slave to fashion or the need to dress in the latest style. Some locally sourced food and off you go." 
These entertaining stories of sailing life began when Martin and his wife Kerryn departed from Adelaide on thier run-down yacht. They were headed for Fremantle but they forgot to turn right at Kangeroo Island and arrived in Hobart. It was an easy navigational error to make. 
Once in Hobart, in order to avoid an almost global pandemic they remained in Tasmania. After all, Tasmania is at the end of the world and even a virus wouldn't want to go there. It was a strategy as successful as their navigation, but here you will hear no sotries of lockdowns or vaccinations. Instead, seven stories about wildlife, onboard catering, waste and power managment. Stories inspired by the reality of sustainable sailing in the same way the desire to sail home to Fremantle resulted in a trip to Tasmania.

Show book

The Masque of The Red Death

Edgar Allan Poe

As a deadly plague, the "Red Death", ravages the land, Prince Prospero seeks refuge in his luxurious abbey, sealing himself off with a thousand nobles for a decadent masquerade ball. The festivities unfold across seven vibrantly colored chambers, each decorated with a different color.

Show book

Mij's Testament - Ailand

GAIL O. DELLSLEE

The first book in the Mij's Testament trilogy takes place in the mid-1960s. A honeymoon cruise goes horribly wrong when the captain insists that his 17-year-old son take over the helm, and the ship gets lost in the Bermuda Triangle. One lifeboat full of 12 people, including the captain and his son, washes up on an island. At first they think it is deserted, but they soon discover that a young woman named Aileen lives there. She claims to have arrived there when she was three years old, but her eloquent vocabulary makes them doubt her story. When she tells them that she was raised by fairies, they question her sanity. After the rations run out, the castaways' survival depends on this unreliable girl. They attempt to teach her how to function in the civilized world, confident that they will be rescued and that Aileen will come with them when they are. However, Aileen is a stubborn girl, and she resists being forced to behave in ways that are unnatural and illogical.Will they ever be rescued? Or will they have to live like savages for the rest of their lives? And is that so bad?

Show book

Stories About Orphans - Classic...

Anton Chekhov, Hannah More,...

Life can be difficult.  We all experience hurdles, obstacles and problems that get in the way and may limit our opportunities.  But we can usually count on the steadfast and loving support of others.  We get that comfort from our parents and pass it on through the generations.  Sadly, some will not get that unconditional love and bond from their onset or their early years.  Growing up as an orphan is to know you are different and, on some levels at least, alone.  Surviving and thriving with this can damage a life or be used as fuel to achieve a whole, rich, and nurtured life. 
 
In this volume our authors use this as their theme as they construct moving stories from bleak beginnings to lives with surprising outcomes.   
 
1 - Stories About Orphans - An Introduction 
2 - Vanka by Anton Chekhov 
3 - Betty Brown, the St Giles Orange Girl by Hannah More 
4 - Stephen Archer by George MacDonald 
5 - The Indian Orphan. A Tale by Letitia Elizabeth Landon 
6 - An Angel in Disguise by T S Arthur 
7 - A Story of a Wedding Tour by Margaret Oliphant 
8 - Some of the Shipwrecked by Mary E Mann 
9 - The Living Telegraph by Boleslaw Prus 
10 - The Sea Voyage by Charles Lamb

Show book

Edna Ferber: Un Morso Doo Pang -...

Edna Ferber

World War I caused many young men from America to leave their homes and travel into the great big world out there.  By the many thousands they traveled by bus and train from tiny villages in every state to the big cities and then they rubbed shoulders with other men from a variety of cultures and beliefs.  Then they travelled more than in their wildest dreams, across oceans to Europe.  When returning they were different boys and men, much more worldly and knowing.  But what about their girl friends that were left behind?  They stayed in the tiny towns and stayed provincial so that when their boyfriends returned they felt very inadequate.  This story is about an ordinary girl and boy caught up in this situation and how learning to say "a piece of bread" in French can make all the difference in a girls confidence about life and love.

Show book

Wood's Chase - Action &...

Steven Becker

Enter the world of a deadly smuggling ring 
When a small plane crashes in the backcountry of the Florida Keys, an unexpected and deadly chain of events is set in motion. 
While helping a friend salvage his boat, Mac Travis witnesses the crash and rushes to help. Following the rescue, Mac trusts his instincts, but is led down a path of danger and deceit—which finally lands him inside a smuggling ring. 
A story that highlights the beauty of the Keys while exposing their undesirable underbelly, Wood’s Chase features the unique character of the island chain. Filled with boating, diving, and fishing, with plenty of action, unique characters, and stunning locations, escape on a tropical adventure in the latest in the bestselling Mac Travis Adventures.

Show book