Chesapeake 1850

Steamboats & Oyster Wars: The News Reader #1

by Ken Rossignol

The life of Ethan Aaron Douglas is chronicled as the ten-year-old joins his grandfather for a life on the Chesapeake Bay. With his grandfather as captain of a steamboat traveling between Norfolk, Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, the boy learns quickly about life on the water. From hurricanes to blue crabs life on the Bay changes quickly. Learning Shakespeare and witnessing a hanging are just part of the life along the river. Ethan Douglas' life brushes past major events in the United States from slavery to the underground railroad and the days leading up to the civil war. How did those who lived along the Potomac deal with active warfare during the War Between the States? Life was always a war on the water with pirates shooting at each other as well as Maryland and Virginia oyster police. Ethan's younger brothers and sisters soon join him as they grow older and become entrepreneurs as the nation's capital city grows and changes.
From buyboats to newspapers the lives of the Douglas family become part of the history of the young nation. Oysters were the "white gold" of the east while railroads and shipping competed for freight. This book is the first in the series that will tell the story of life in tidewater Chesapeake Bay region from 1850 to 1950.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

130 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 13, 2012

About the author

Writing in true crime, maritime history and cruise thrillers occupies most of Ken Rossignol's time.
As a maritime history speaker, Rossignol enjoys meeting audiences around the world and discussing the original news stories of the sinking of the RMS Titanic and other maritime history topics.
In recent years Rossignol has appeared on dozens of ships in the Pacific, Atlantic, Mediterranean and Caribbean discussing the stories of the heroes of the Titanic, the explorations of the new world voyagers, the Bermuda Triangle and the history of piracy.
Rossignol appears at the Titanic Museum Attractions in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and Branson, Missouri for book signings and to talk with visitors about the RMS Titanic.
He has appeared on Good Morning America, ABC 20/20; ABC World News Tonight and in a 2012 production of Discovery Channel Investigation Motives & Murders Series, A Body in the Bay.
News coverage of Rossignol’s landmark civil rights case, represented by Levine Sullivan Koch & Schulz re: United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Rossignol v Voorhaar, 2003, included articles in most major news outlets, as well as a column by syndicated columnists James J. Kilpatrick.
The story of the St. Mary's Today newspaper is now available in ebook and paperback: The Story of THE RAG! The book includes nearly 200 editorial cartoons that appeared over the years.
A strong highway safety advocate, Rossignol also publishes the DWIHitParade.com which focuses on impaired driving and the monthly publication, The Chesapeake.
News coverage of Rossignol’s DWIHitParade won an Emmy in 2012 for WJLA reporter Jay Korff and coverage of the St. Mary’s Today newspaper by WUSA reporter Bruce Leshan was awarded an Emmy in 2000.

Reviews

[Don Gerstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the description, I really expected more from Ken Rossignol’s “Chesapeake 1850.” While there were some interesting facts sprinkled in the 30-plus years this book covers, they weren’t presented as powerfully as they could have been.

The historical novel centers around the life of Ethan Aaron Douglas, beginning when he is ten years of age and working on a steamboat under the guidance of his grandfather. The beginning covers about ten years before the American Civil War, and I was mildly interested in the events surrounding young Ethan.

The story begins to lose focus around the beginning of the Civil War (1861). Much of 1861 is detailed through the newspaper articles of the day. While interesting, their effect was diminished through the mixed-up formatting. Different fonts with spaces between paragraphs, then no spaces, first with quotes for each paragraph and then without, then with the same font as the rest of the book. You name it, it happened. This should have been caught and fixed, but it still exists years after publication. Mr. Rossignol has published many books, and one would hope he would check this sort of thing.

Dates were also troublesome. At one point, the author talks about an event that happened in November 1861, yet the following chapter it is October 1861. I questioned whether the numerous stories from the papers were in chronological order. Though the book description mentions the Civil War, 1861-1865 flashes by in the space of two paragraphs (to be fair, there is time spent on the initial few months of the war). Near the end, time seems to only pass a year for the characters while (based on the historical description) the world moved forward 5-14 years.

I wondered who the author intended as the target audience. In the beginning, I felt “Chesapeake 1850” would be a wonderful addition to the Scholastic Books library. The writing is clear and the lack of adult terms and references make it a perfect offering for 10- to 14-year-old children. While the middle section dealt with 1861 and many newspaper clippings were supplied, the opportunity to explain in greater detail how this affected Ethan was barely addressed. This muddled the book until Ethan returned as a regular narrator.

Overall, I was disappointed for the above reasons as I expected more, but I was not upset that I had read the book. The article clippings are historical, and thus interesting. The story is told in a manner that would be more suited to tweeners or early teens, but the prose is good and well-edited. Mr. Rossignol included many pictures, which added to the experience. Certain aspects of steamboats and live on the water, including the oyster wars, are enlightening. My only wish is that the author could have put all these positive items in a better package. Three stars.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read about a 10 year old Ethan Aaron Douglas taking to the sea with his grandfather. Learning about the sea and how to help with the cargo. There were many opportunities for his grandfather to teach him life lessons with the events that occur on board the steamship. It was a good read. The book follows Ethan through his own ownership of the ship during and after the war between the states.
A great look at the history of that era.

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a true story of Ethan Aaron Douglas starting at the age of 10 living on a steamship with his grandfather in the Chesapeake Bay area, transporting goods up and down the bay. Ethan received a very good education about life. This is based on true events of his family also other families in the area. The steamship hauled produce, animals and passengers. As Ethan became older he was assigned more responsibilities that he tackled on a daily bases. One interesting event was to read the news papers to the passages so as he grew older he was aware of what was going on in the area. Ethan helped on the deck, in the kitchen, and doing some stage acting to entertain the passengers, he adjusted and was happy. He was taught about slavery, the underground railroad, hurricanes and his grandfather helped him save his money and start his own company.

This was a very good book, a short but fast paced with adventure, love for family, and good entertainment. A book for all ages,
I enjoyed reading the book.

[Cassandra Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute short historical account of a young man’s life.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

July 22, 2013
A review by Anthony T. Riggio of Ken Rossignol’s “Chesapeake 1850” (Steamboats & Oyster Wars: The News Reader)

I purchased this book on Kindle and having been somewhat familiar with the Chesapeake Bay and being a charter member of the Chesapeake Bay, Bluefish and Beverage Society, circa 1981 thru 1995, a group of supervisors from FBIHQ who would fish two or three time a year from Maryland on a Charter boat and spend the day fishing and “beering”.

In any event, the title caught my attention and I thought it would be interesting to read about some of the history of the Chesapeake Bay.
As I began to read the book, I was pleasantly surprised to see it dealt with issues on the Bay involving the Civil War, as this is one of my favorite parts of American History.

The story involves a young boy named Ethan Douglas who effectively grows up on a steamboat operated by his grandpa. It deals with the history and issues involving maritime commerce and passenger transportation during the time before and after the Civil War. The story revolves around the adventures of the ten year old Ethan Douglas as he grows into a very a successful seafarer on the Chesapeake. He falls in love with the daughter of President Zachery Taylor. Being unfamiliar with the life of Taylor I had to search out the daughter of Taylor and who she actually married. I could not verify this point as an historical fact but this does not affect the overall historical accuracy’s of the story.

I totally loved the fact that Ethan was a newspaper reader for the passengers on board the steamboat. The times before and subsequent to the Civil War, newspaper articles are both entertaining and informative. This is an excellent book for anyone interested in these times and especially recommended for the young reader. It is a remarkable fun book to read and sets out a sort of story of growing success and successes of Ethan Douglas’ siblings. I learned some things about the history of the Bay, namely the wars between Oystermen and how incredibly lawless they were.

I gave this book a rating of five stars because it is both a fast and very informative historical read and the successes of a family.

[Thom Swennes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life upon a steamer in the Chesapeake Bay seems similar to that along the Mississippi. Ten year old Ethan Aaron Douglas adds a new and refreshing perspective to the places and events during the pre Civil War years. I am very familiar with Mark Twain’s Life on the Mississippi and see many similarities. Aboard the Savannah Ethan observes life on both sides of the line that will soon separate into a desperate conflict. Any boy (or girl) would love to spend their summer holidays aboard such a ship and experience the excitement each day was sure to bring. Notwithstanding slavery, hangings and other less attractive sites, as a whole it is an adventure that would stay with you into old age. As one of his many jobs, Ethan (and later his brothers William and John) read the current newspapers to the passengers. This could very well have been the beginning of the five o’clock news we all know today. Time stands still for no man and as the years passed, Ethan becomes the captain of the Maryland Lady, a buyboat dealing in oysters and other seafood’s. In 1861 when hostilities break out between the Union and Confederacy, he takes a stand on the fence, not committing to either of the fighting fractions but profiting from both. After the war his empire grows as he profits from both sides again in the Oyster Wars. It is the pictured image of the American Dream as his wealth and success abounds. The book is richly illustrated, boosting its size by tenfold thousands words. This story is written in an easy to read and understand way, making it interesting for both youthful and elderly readers. The book describes of a world now long gone and helps to bridge the gap with the present. I think this is a work for the masses and should be put in a prominent position on everyone’s reading list.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using a young boy working for his grandfather who is captain of a steam ship navigating from Norfolk, Va, Washington, DC through the Chesapeake Bay to Baltimore before, during and after the Civil War is the setting of this great read on everyday life as it was then.
Using the grandson/cabin boy as the vehicle through whose eyes we witness this era, while interspersing actual quotes from contemporary newspapers with factual places and people the reader in both entertained and educated at the same time. As a lover of history and long time resident in this area of our country the names and places were readily recognized making the story all the more enjoyable. While I suspect that the water wars of the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay are little known outside of that area they are a riveting period of the history of this country and were a no holes barred brawl on the water between the watermen. A great read, engaging while educational!

[Gus Philpott · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Midwesterner, I had never thought oysters and oystermen and the whole market for them. This book is an interesting read from the perspective of a young lad who starts working on a boat during the summer and see his work expand to full-time as the country approaches the Civil War.

The story held my attention as the youngster grew and took on more responsibilities. Here's a chance to learn about the region, entrepreneurship and families.

[Rhenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It seemed to me to be written in the style of an old turn of the century kid's book, the kind where you read it and think, "Wow, that was written for kids?" I mean that in a good way. It was intelligent and educational, like a story that was intended to educate. There were a few places where it seemed to draw out a bit long, but it's possible I was getting tired while reading, not bored with the writing so much. Overall, I liked it.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so interested in the Chesapeake Bay and the history of it's hard scrabble fishermen. This book gave the history of the steamboats, the Civil War and the oyster wars in the late 1800's through newspaper accounts.

[Frank Sloan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting novel-like history

A nice, clean, attention grabber. It was quite easy to become caught up in the storyline. I'm looking forward to additional books in the series.

[Ciayrra The Scorpion Flower · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool.

This is a cool story. I don’t usually like historical books, but this author makes them fun. I would recommend ot any one who wants to imagine that time period. I feel it is accurate.

[Deanna Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great historical book

Fast paced historical read, thoroughly enjoyed the book! Good perspective from character that was neither confederate or union as to their survival.

[Don Paske · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an easy read; not a great read. Probably a good read. Some interesting parts. Unbelievable characters and outcomes.

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very entertaining look back in time, I have spent some time in the area and found it fascinating. this novel delivers a much more detail account of the time and area of which I was unaware.

[Anita Hopkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the writing style was dry and lacked interest

[Karin Tillotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ethan Allen Douglas joins his grandfather for this adherence to actual events. Thank you very much Ken Rossignol. I enjoyed these stories and recommended the book.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chesapeake 1850 by Ken Rossignol
I think that parents and teacher need to read this book - Especially the first ten or so chapters that introduce us to Ethan and his Grandpa. Ethan feels that he learned more during the summer months on Grandpa’s ship than he did all year in school back in Georgia. He learned to read and learned history and current events as he read to the passengers – most of whom couldn’t read. I learned a lot about oystering, sailing, relationships, and the Civil War while reading this book.

[K. Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Purchased for my daughter. Not a bad book, but not sufficiently interesting to keep her reading.