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Tom Chatto #1
Apprentice to the Sea
A tough life full of adventure awaits Tom Chatto.
At the age of seventeen, he embarks upon his first voyage under sail.
Queen Victoria’s empire is growing fast and the good ship Pass of Drumochter is bound for the seven seas to trade the empire’s goods.
But the glamour soon falls from Tom’s eyes when he finds himself the unwitting eye witness to a foul murder.
There is a stranger on board, and suddenly the harsh waters are no longer the most deadly thing threatening the lives of the ship’s men.
Earning his master’s ticket is going to be as much about learning to cope with the terrifying ne’er do wells on board ship as it is about sails and navigation.
The first in a series of adventures spanning the sixty year career of an officer in Queen Victoria’s merchant navy, Apprentice to the Sea describes the first steps into a life at sea.
Praise for The Tom Chatto Series
‘Splendid fun’ – Kirkus Reviews on Apprentice to the Sea
‘Another fine sea story from a master.’ – Kirkus Reviews on Second Mate
Praise for Philip McCutchan
‘A first rate adventure series.’ — Publishers Weekly
‘A nautical war buff's feast...[McCutchan] keeps an authoritative hand on the wheel and his descriptions of battles at sea ring with laconic truth.’ — The New York Times Book Review
‘His character conflicts are well organised.’ — Daily Telegraph
Philip McCutchan grew up in the naval atmosphere of Portsmouth Dockyard and developed a lifetime's interest in the sea. Military history was an early interest of his, resulting in several fiction books about the British Army and its campaigns, especially in the last 150 years. He served throughout WWII in a variety of ships, including the cruiser Vindictive, the ocean boarding vessel Largs, and the escort carrier Ravager, ending the war as a lieutenant, RNVR. He is also the author of Drums Along the Khyber.
At the age of seventeen, he embarks upon his first voyage under sail.
Queen Victoria’s empire is growing fast and the good ship Pass of Drumochter is bound for the seven seas to trade the empire’s goods.
But the glamour soon falls from Tom’s eyes when he finds himself the unwitting eye witness to a foul murder.
There is a stranger on board, and suddenly the harsh waters are no longer the most deadly thing threatening the lives of the ship’s men.
Earning his master’s ticket is going to be as much about learning to cope with the terrifying ne’er do wells on board ship as it is about sails and navigation.
The first in a series of adventures spanning the sixty year career of an officer in Queen Victoria’s merchant navy, Apprentice to the Sea describes the first steps into a life at sea.
Praise for The Tom Chatto Series
‘Splendid fun’ – Kirkus Reviews on Apprentice to the Sea
‘Another fine sea story from a master.’ – Kirkus Reviews on Second Mate
Praise for Philip McCutchan
‘A first rate adventure series.’ — Publishers Weekly
‘A nautical war buff's feast...[McCutchan] keeps an authoritative hand on the wheel and his descriptions of battles at sea ring with laconic truth.’ — The New York Times Book Review
‘His character conflicts are well organised.’ — Daily Telegraph
Philip McCutchan grew up in the naval atmosphere of Portsmouth Dockyard and developed a lifetime's interest in the sea. Military history was an early interest of his, resulting in several fiction books about the British Army and its campaigns, especially in the last 150 years. He served throughout WWII in a variety of ships, including the cruiser Vindictive, the ocean boarding vessel Largs, and the escort carrier Ravager, ending the war as a lieutenant, RNVR. He is also the author of Drums Along the Khyber.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 1995
140 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Philip McCutchan
184 books36 followersaka Robert Conington Galway, Duncan MacNeil
Philip McCutchan (1920-1996) grew up in the naval atmosphere of Portsmouth Dockyard and developed a lifetime's interest in the sea. Military history was an early interest resulting in several fiction books, from amongst his large output, about the British Army and its campaigns, especially in the last 150 years.
Philip McCutchan (1920-1996) grew up in the naval atmosphere of Portsmouth Dockyard and developed a lifetime's interest in the sea. Military history was an early interest resulting in several fiction books, from amongst his large output, about the British Army and its campaigns, especially in the last 150 years.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 28, 2018
Not a naval adventure
By Charles van Buren on August 27, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
First of all the subtitle, A Tom Chatto Naval Adventure, is incorrect. Chatto joins the merchant service as an apprentice, not the navy. This is a seafaring and sailing adventure set in the mid 1890's as steam is supplanting sail. Naval ships and personnel do make an appearance but it is still not a naval adventure.
Mr. McCutchan tells his story with fine prose and character development. The book is chock full of history and nautical and sailing details. Where it fails is the lack of an ending. I suppose the story just picks up in the next volume. If I were not getting these books free via Kindle Unlimited I would be seriously annoyed at having to buy more volumes to get a complete story.
I do not know if this is intended for young adults aka teenagers and mature children, but it would be a good book for that audience. The writing may be too simple to hold the attention of some adults. Three stars because of the lack of a conclusion and for the very obvious direction taken by the story.
By Charles van Buren on August 27, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
First of all the subtitle, A Tom Chatto Naval Adventure, is incorrect. Chatto joins the merchant service as an apprentice, not the navy. This is a seafaring and sailing adventure set in the mid 1890's as steam is supplanting sail. Naval ships and personnel do make an appearance but it is still not a naval adventure.
Mr. McCutchan tells his story with fine prose and character development. The book is chock full of history and nautical and sailing details. Where it fails is the lack of an ending. I suppose the story just picks up in the next volume. If I were not getting these books free via Kindle Unlimited I would be seriously annoyed at having to buy more volumes to get a complete story.
I do not know if this is intended for young adults aka teenagers and mature children, but it would be a good book for that audience. The writing may be too simple to hold the attention of some adults. Three stars because of the lack of a conclusion and for the very obvious direction taken by the story.
March 5, 2019
Everything lined up for a good story - that period of time in the late 1800s (1893) when sail was giving way to steam, a young man starting out in life in a tough, unforgiving line of work, some intrigue, heavy weather, distant lands - and it did deliver exactly as hoped and expected. Very descriptive and engaging. However, the end came to a crashing conclusion in a matter of a few pages and left me with a distinctly unsatisfied feeling. There are more volumes in this series (naturally) but the next doesn't pick up where this one so abruptly left off. Still, worth reading, and an easy read at that.
January 5, 2025
Although I don't know if the sailing ship terms used are authentic I admire the athor's knowledge of these old ships of yore. My father actually worked on sailing vessels and did in fact sail around the Horn. If I had one wish granted it would be to bring my father back for a talk on those days. Unfortunately he passed on when I was only 13.
I highly recommend for readers of this story to tune into a Youtube video titled "Around Cape Horn" by Captain Irving Johnson. It's about a 40 minute movie flick done on an old 8mm in 1929 that takes you around Cape Horn. Here is the link and there is an introduction to the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xszwP...
I highly recommend for readers of this story to tune into a Youtube video titled "Around Cape Horn" by Captain Irving Johnson. It's about a 40 minute movie flick done on an old 8mm in 1929 that takes you around Cape Horn. Here is the link and there is an introduction to the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xszwP...
April 25, 2019
A Very Worthy Read !
The story never falters and develops well, as very good books often do, the characters develop and have dimension. The rigging, sails and other sea nomenclature is quite accurate. The story is the telling of a boy, very much in his teens, who has often dreamt of going to sea in a merchantman vessel. There’s action, pathos, adventure & that is all I’m going to say least I spoil it for you. But just one thing more; you won’t regret reading McCutchan’s talented and skilled works !
The story never falters and develops well, as very good books often do, the characters develop and have dimension. The rigging, sails and other sea nomenclature is quite accurate. The story is the telling of a boy, very much in his teens, who has often dreamt of going to sea in a merchantman vessel. There’s action, pathos, adventure & that is all I’m going to say least I spoil it for you. But just one thing more; you won’t regret reading McCutchan’s talented and skilled works !
May 19, 2017
Taste the salt
A grand read a ripping yarn and as good a detailed account of sailing as I have ever read. I am not a sailor nor do I understand the technical terms used but that's the measure of a good author I completely believe that they are accurate. The whole storey is refreshingly woven. It's not about a superman it's a logical tale about a young man following his feelings and finding himself. Well done
A grand read a ripping yarn and as good a detailed account of sailing as I have ever read. I am not a sailor nor do I understand the technical terms used but that's the measure of a good author I completely believe that they are accurate. The whole storey is refreshingly woven. It's not about a superman it's a logical tale about a young man following his feelings and finding himself. Well done
July 21, 2018
Nicely done.
The sailing ships of pre 1900 historical fiction genre is pretty crowded...some iconic any many not so much. It’s a pretty standard story line of the greenhorn apprentice officer rounding the horn on his first voyage. The usual travails are spiced by the presence of a stowaway and wanted murder suspect.
Parts of ship, seamanship and personalities are spot on...nicely done.
The sailing ships of pre 1900 historical fiction genre is pretty crowded...some iconic any many not so much. It’s a pretty standard story line of the greenhorn apprentice officer rounding the horn on his first voyage. The usual travails are spiced by the presence of a stowaway and wanted murder suspect.
Parts of ship, seamanship and personalities are spot on...nicely done.
October 16, 2019
S!sorry Mr.McCutchan. I felt a fleet coming on. A good read.
Progress. What a playfully word the years and years of hard toil and a many many life times of the knowledge about to go up in one of those puffs of black co/2 and climate change. PROGRESS!!!!!
A good read at bedtime it did not move on to quickly.
Progress. What a playfully word the years and years of hard toil and a many many life times of the knowledge about to go up in one of those puffs of black co/2 and climate change. PROGRESS!!!!!
A good read at bedtime it did not move on to quickly.
September 28, 2020
Great read
I've read other books by Mr McCutchan and have liked them all. So far this is a favorite. I'll continue the Tom Chatto series and expect I won't be disappointed. Characters are believable and well developed. The story line kept my interest. I love it when I find an author that knows what he is talking about.
I've read other books by Mr McCutchan and have liked them all. So far this is a favorite. I'll continue the Tom Chatto series and expect I won't be disappointed. Characters are believable and well developed. The story line kept my interest. I love it when I find an author that knows what he is talking about.
May 8, 2021
My grandfather?
I was looking for info. on my grandfather's marine career. He was Tom Chatto's double in real life -sailed fromLiverpool around 1890. I feel I now know what he went through as an apprentice Best possible reference manual and a cracking story . Brilliant. On to Vol.2.
I was looking for info. on my grandfather's marine career. He was Tom Chatto's double in real life -sailed fromLiverpool around 1890. I feel I now know what he went through as an apprentice Best possible reference manual and a cracking story . Brilliant. On to Vol.2.
June 4, 2017
Good Maritime Story
Interesting story of the last days of sailing vessels with a thoughtful plot, good dialogue and accurate descriptions. The comparison of the activities aboard a windjammer and a steam powered naval ship is well-written.
Interesting story of the last days of sailing vessels with a thoughtful plot, good dialogue and accurate descriptions. The comparison of the activities aboard a windjammer and a steam powered naval ship is well-written.
July 29, 2017
Slightly hokey but a good read! Characters were well formed, subject matter was well researched & the plot was interesting. Covers a "gap in timer: in maritime adventures.
January 21, 2020
An absorbing read !
I was soon totally into this tale, the first "chatto" book.
I look forward to the second one in the series.
I was soon totally into this tale, the first "chatto" book.
I look forward to the second one in the series.
February 25, 2021
Great read.
Excellent story set in days of sail about life on a merchant vessel from an apprenticeship point . Very descriptive of life and hardship aboard.
Excellent story set in days of sail about life on a merchant vessel from an apprenticeship point . Very descriptive of life and hardship aboard.
August 2, 2023
A Salty Tale indeed.
What a great read. Written by someone who seems to have the sea in his veins. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
What a great read. Written by someone who seems to have the sea in his veins. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
April 14, 2023
In Philip McCutchan’s, Apprentice to the Sea, Tom Chatto sets sail on his inaugural voyage for Queen and country. Chatto’s sense of adventure is only surpassed by his sense of duty. Each desire will be tested as he faces the elements of nature, participates in battle, and witnesses a murder. Which one of these dangers pose the greatest threat to the young sailor? Will he even survive?
Apprentice to the Sea has all the hallmarks of a great odyssey. There is plenty of adventure and suspense. The battle scenes are realistic and riveting although not for the faint of heart. The narrative immerses the reader in the maritime world of the Victorian age. However, with the understanding that there are sequels in the series, the climax of the book is incomplete and unsatisfactory. It is like going on an enjoyable flight, only to crash land at the end. It makes me wonder if any sequel to Apprentice to the Sea is worth my time or effort.
I was given a free copy from the publisher in exchange
Apprentice to the Sea has all the hallmarks of a great odyssey. There is plenty of adventure and suspense. The battle scenes are realistic and riveting although not for the faint of heart. The narrative immerses the reader in the maritime world of the Victorian age. However, with the understanding that there are sequels in the series, the climax of the book is incomplete and unsatisfactory. It is like going on an enjoyable flight, only to crash land at the end. It makes me wonder if any sequel to Apprentice to the Sea is worth my time or effort.
I was given a free copy from the publisher in exchange
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews