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Ocean Life in the Old Sailing Ship Days
John D. Whidden started out at sea in 1834, at the age of twelve, and did not retire until 1870.
This is his account of over a quarter-century spent on the high seas.
Orphaned at five, nothing held Whidden back from embarking on sea life seven years later. Serving as an apprentice, he quickly proved his worth, and earned himself a mate’s position by his early twenties. Graduating to third, second and first office, he ended his career in command of, and having part-ownership of his own vessel.
This memoir, Ocean Life in the Old Sailing Ship Days , records a series of real events, from his childhood impressions of rough and ready seamen, to his thrilling and brutal experiences of war.
His travels saw him spanning the world, with stops at major ports such as Honolulu, Buenos Aires, Calcutta, and Liverpool.
His life spans the changes in the shipping industry over the 19th and into the 20th century.
During the Civil War, Whidden was heavily involved in profitable island trading in the Bahamas to elude Confederate sailors. However, shortly after the close of the war, in 1870, Whidden left sailing as he found it being overtaken by foreign interests.
John D. Whidden (1832-1911) wrote Ocean Life in the Old Sailing Days in 1908, partly as a memoir, but also to offer a snippet of the “old sailing ship days” before major changes occurred to its business environment, fundamentally changing its nature. It is a classic account of a different way of life, which will appeal to both sailing enthusiasts and historians alike.
This is his account of over a quarter-century spent on the high seas.
Orphaned at five, nothing held Whidden back from embarking on sea life seven years later. Serving as an apprentice, he quickly proved his worth, and earned himself a mate’s position by his early twenties. Graduating to third, second and first office, he ended his career in command of, and having part-ownership of his own vessel.
This memoir, Ocean Life in the Old Sailing Ship Days , records a series of real events, from his childhood impressions of rough and ready seamen, to his thrilling and brutal experiences of war.
His travels saw him spanning the world, with stops at major ports such as Honolulu, Buenos Aires, Calcutta, and Liverpool.
His life spans the changes in the shipping industry over the 19th and into the 20th century.
During the Civil War, Whidden was heavily involved in profitable island trading in the Bahamas to elude Confederate sailors. However, shortly after the close of the war, in 1870, Whidden left sailing as he found it being overtaken by foreign interests.
John D. Whidden (1832-1911) wrote Ocean Life in the Old Sailing Days in 1908, partly as a memoir, but also to offer a snippet of the “old sailing ship days” before major changes occurred to its business environment, fundamentally changing its nature. It is a classic account of a different way of life, which will appeal to both sailing enthusiasts and historians alike.
228 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 2009
355 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
August 18, 2022
Disappointing
The author seems to have kept a diary on which he expanded a book. Not very much on the goings on of "ocean life" but rather where he visited and the time he spent on shore (and even then not much detail). The book should and could have been much better.
The author seems to have kept a diary on which he expanded a book. Not very much on the goings on of "ocean life" but rather where he visited and the time he spent on shore (and even then not much detail). The book should and could have been much better.
April 25, 2018
This an absolute historical gem. It was written by Captain John D Whidden and first published in 1908 and is the story of the last days of the 'tramp' sailing ships that took their cargo to and from port and tried to pick up another cargo or went with ballast to another where they could get one. The captain had to be an adroit trader to negotiate the terms of the trade and was not above speculating to get a good return for himself. The author started as a 12 year old boy and finished as a captain and ship owner. The period about which he writes encompasses the American Civil War and ends in the last days of sale, when not only is there a world wide shipping slump but the cargo steamers are starting to make an impact. He is very good at describing his experiences and what he sees and brings the topic alive. If anything he seems to downplay the obvious high level of skill of the sailors in handling a heavily loaded sailing ship is gales and storms. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
February 6, 2021
I was first attracted to this book by its name and what I thought would be in the insides of its pages -the "Ocean Life" with emphasis on "life" as I thought this would be a more personal book, but it oddly was not. With the exception of a few places where the author chose to provide more detail (the beginning and the end and some little "fun stories"), the bulk of this reads more like a ship's log. There are lots of mentions of what speed the ships were going, what the weather was like, how the waves were, from where (and to where) the ship was going, and what cargo the ship was carrying. Due to the above facts, I think this book would probably be of more interest to historians than casual readers (because quite frankly, it can be very repetitive and not a joy to read.) This is not to say that there weren't interesting moments or insights into the past, but they are few and far in between.
October 21, 2017
Sails of yore
To the sea in ships! How lovely were the days of sailing ships, and all so well told by this former master of the seas. You can feel the winds and taste the salty waters as the experiences are so well recounted by this gentleman of the world, and what a delightful travelogue he does narrate! Enjoyed it all immensely.
To the sea in ships! How lovely were the days of sailing ships, and all so well told by this former master of the seas. You can feel the winds and taste the salty waters as the experiences are so well recounted by this gentleman of the world, and what a delightful travelogue he does narrate! Enjoyed it all immensely.
July 12, 2018
So,so,quite repetitive,
Would of liked some clear definition s of some of the sailing vernacular early on. Guess I could have researched them myself, read like a slightly more refined ships log, but still an interesting reach back in time, worth the time, for someone with an adventurous soul.
Would of liked some clear definition s of some of the sailing vernacular early on. Guess I could have researched them myself, read like a slightly more refined ships log, but still an interesting reach back in time, worth the time, for someone with an adventurous soul.
September 22, 2018
Very well written. Great history of the commercial days of sail
I would have rated this at 5 stars had it included the plates, mentioned by Captain Whidden, that were taken from the book that Mrs. Whidden was presented while in harbor in Brasil. Maps of the travels of Captain Whidden would have been immeasurably appreciated.
I would have rated this at 5 stars had it included the plates, mentioned by Captain Whidden, that were taken from the book that Mrs. Whidden was presented while in harbor in Brasil. Maps of the travels of Captain Whidden would have been immeasurably appreciated.
October 26, 2017
Best sea adventures for pennies
Whidden, a fine writter tells a good yarn recording for posterity these romatic times. Best read this year for me, fast paced yet thought provoking in description and adventure.
Whidden, a fine writter tells a good yarn recording for posterity these romatic times. Best read this year for me, fast paced yet thought provoking in description and adventure.
December 29, 2017
Good
Not extremely detailed. Easy to read and cool how he tied in historical events through his eyes. A lot of characters kind of hard to keep track off who is who. He also didn't seem to fond of his first wife who casually just dies lol.
Not extremely detailed. Easy to read and cool how he tied in historical events through his eyes. A lot of characters kind of hard to keep track off who is who. He also didn't seem to fond of his first wife who casually just dies lol.
June 24, 2019
I am a sailor ! There has never been written a more detailed life of a 19th century sailer. He was always a sea lover,even before he went to sail the oceans.From cabin not to captain on all types of sailing vessel..Spellbinding !
August 27, 2017
Very interesting book
Great first hand storytelling of life on sailing vessels from a cabin boy whom over 25 years became captain and part owner of several merchant ships
Great first hand storytelling of life on sailing vessels from a cabin boy whom over 25 years became captain and part owner of several merchant ships
December 7, 2017
Very interesting and well written
Very interesting and well written. The book gives great insight into what it was like to be a sailor at that time
Very interesting and well written. The book gives great insight into what it was like to be a sailor at that time
January 14, 2018
True history of the sailing days
I enjoyed this book, and believe it was a true history of the sailing days. It is quite different then other sailing books I've read.
I enjoyed this book, and believe it was a true history of the sailing days. It is quite different then other sailing books I've read.
January 26, 2018
Full and blile.
Best of the class. Can never get a better picture of the way of sail than from this well written book.
Best of the class. Can never get a better picture of the way of sail than from this well written book.
April 17, 2018
Tugboat cook liked a lot
Upbeat and in depth account of life aboard old ships under sail.Liked the introductions to each chapter.Altogether enjoyable read! highly recommend!
Upbeat and in depth account of life aboard old ships under sail.Liked the introductions to each chapter.Altogether enjoyable read! highly recommend!
April 26, 2018
Shockingly good! You'll have to enjoy sailing ships, the ocean, and history - if you check those boxes, this book is for you!
February 28, 2019
A little dry in the details, but compared to other books in it's genre, it's a lot more enjoyable tho read. The book is more like a nostalgic remembering of his voyages than it is a ship's log.
April 23, 2019
Buy this book today
What a great telling of the Tall ship history, well written fun read in the autobiographical format. Loved this book
What a great telling of the Tall ship history, well written fun read in the autobiographical format. Loved this book
July 10, 2019
Ok
Just not as good as I thought it would be I did like reading about his progression up to a part owner
Just not as good as I thought it would be I did like reading about his progression up to a part owner
June 12, 2020
At though description of a boy becoming a man at sea
The author very diligently discribes how he as youth engaged the sea as a cabin boy and becomes a ships captain.
The author very diligently discribes how he as youth engaged the sea as a cabin boy and becomes a ships captain.
May 14, 2022
Has some good anecdotes, but also long boring patches.
August 31, 2023
good read
Good insight into the days of sail
Curious as to what he went onto in his life after
the sea.
Good insight into the days of sail
Curious as to what he went onto in his life after
the sea.
January 18, 2025
I read this book when I was doing research for ‘What Actually Happened to Isaac Moore’. It is an autobiography, and the author was a merchant sailor around the time Isaac would’ve been a merchant sailor. And I tell you what…
I LOVED this book!! It was FASCINATING.
I mostly listened to the audiobook because in all honesty… it was difficult to read—especially with my ADHD brain. English is a lot different now than it was back then. But you want to know what’s not a lot different? Human nature. It’s so interesting!
*SPOILERS*
John D. Widden lived with his grandparents, and he tells a story about how he got into some serious trouble as a kid. His grandmother would sometimes have their servant make a whole bunch of mince pies and kept them in a locked cupboard. One day, someone accidentally left the cupboard unlocked. John reeeeaaally wanted a pie, but didn’t want to get in trouble. So he had the idea to peel the crust off the top of a pie, eat the inside, and put the top back on like a lid. He did this to 6 or 7 pies. It was genius. No one would know…
Well, later someone stopped by to visit, so Grandma had a pie brought out to share with their guest. She was very shocked to cut into the pie only for there to be no filling…
John is freaking out as he watches this all happen. Another pie is brought—once again, no filling. Everyone is baffled. His nerves finally get to him, and he blurts out, “I didn’t do it.”
How very Bart Simpson of him.
I died. Such a great story.
*END SPOILER*
This book is very much about his life, how he became a sailor, and many of his adventures. He was ahead of his time. He adored his wife and brought her with him on voyages, even though it was considered “bad luck” to have a woman on board. He said the superstition was stupid, and she proved it. Her presence made the crew behave better—she made everything better! He was also very much against slavery and racism (however, the book is not at all politically correct because he lived in the 1800s).
He was an awesome guy. I’m so happy I discovered this book.
I LOVED this book!! It was FASCINATING.
I mostly listened to the audiobook because in all honesty… it was difficult to read—especially with my ADHD brain. English is a lot different now than it was back then. But you want to know what’s not a lot different? Human nature. It’s so interesting!
*SPOILERS*
John D. Widden lived with his grandparents, and he tells a story about how he got into some serious trouble as a kid. His grandmother would sometimes have their servant make a whole bunch of mince pies and kept them in a locked cupboard. One day, someone accidentally left the cupboard unlocked. John reeeeaaally wanted a pie, but didn’t want to get in trouble. So he had the idea to peel the crust off the top of a pie, eat the inside, and put the top back on like a lid. He did this to 6 or 7 pies. It was genius. No one would know…
Well, later someone stopped by to visit, so Grandma had a pie brought out to share with their guest. She was very shocked to cut into the pie only for there to be no filling…
John is freaking out as he watches this all happen. Another pie is brought—once again, no filling. Everyone is baffled. His nerves finally get to him, and he blurts out, “I didn’t do it.”
How very Bart Simpson of him.
I died. Such a great story.
*END SPOILER*
This book is very much about his life, how he became a sailor, and many of his adventures. He was ahead of his time. He adored his wife and brought her with him on voyages, even though it was considered “bad luck” to have a woman on board. He said the superstition was stupid, and she proved it. Her presence made the crew behave better—she made everything better! He was also very much against slavery and racism (however, the book is not at all politically correct because he lived in the 1800s).
He was an awesome guy. I’m so happy I discovered this book.
June 18, 2019
Enjoyable Memoir by Sailing Ship Captain
An interesting memoir by a sailing ship Captain who rose through the ranks from a cabin boy at age 12 in the mid- 1800's. The author includes his thoughts on ship discipline and offers high praise for the crewmen, whom he refers to collectively throughout the book as "Jack", as well as for his officers. He describes the various ports he visited around the world, some multiple times, covering the flora and fauna as well as some cultural and political characteristics. A well written, positive account of a bygone era. He does use some nautical jargon, without definition, related to commands and equipment used on sailing ships.
An interesting memoir by a sailing ship Captain who rose through the ranks from a cabin boy at age 12 in the mid- 1800's. The author includes his thoughts on ship discipline and offers high praise for the crewmen, whom he refers to collectively throughout the book as "Jack", as well as for his officers. He describes the various ports he visited around the world, some multiple times, covering the flora and fauna as well as some cultural and political characteristics. A well written, positive account of a bygone era. He does use some nautical jargon, without definition, related to commands and equipment used on sailing ships.
July 27, 2015
Excellent details of Life on Sailing Vessels
The major part of Captain Whidden's life as a deep water sailor gives us an entertaining and detailed idea of what it was like to sail the seas in those days. He explains the business of sailing, arrangement of cargos, and provides excellent descriptions of
many ports. Through storms and beautiful, calm nights the reader gains insight to the trials and benefits of a life at sea.
The major part of Captain Whidden's life as a deep water sailor gives us an entertaining and detailed idea of what it was like to sail the seas in those days. He explains the business of sailing, arrangement of cargos, and provides excellent descriptions of
many ports. Through storms and beautiful, calm nights the reader gains insight to the trials and benefits of a life at sea.
March 7, 2017
Nautical saccharin
This book gives the impression that being a sailor in the 1800's was a glorious ride. No mention of setting sails atop an 80' main-mast in a howling gale, brushing aside green scum at the water barrel, weavels in ships biscuit or the scum of the waterfront in the fo'castle with 14 year old ships boys on several year voyages. Gambling for live rats for fresh meat. This book is a bedtime story for 12-14 year olds.
This book gives the impression that being a sailor in the 1800's was a glorious ride. No mention of setting sails atop an 80' main-mast in a howling gale, brushing aside green scum at the water barrel, weavels in ships biscuit or the scum of the waterfront in the fo'castle with 14 year old ships boys on several year voyages. Gambling for live rats for fresh meat. This book is a bedtime story for 12-14 year olds.
May 20, 2020
Top of the line.
Really enjoyed the chronological order of the book. The author's detailed description of the sails as they were needed was excellent. The geographical descriptions were great.
Really enjoyed the chronological order of the book. The author's detailed description of the sails as they were needed was excellent. The geographical descriptions were great.
June 7, 2019
Interesting history lesson.
Okay, little boring, but if you are into pre Civil War history you might like this one. Worth your while., but real wordy.
Okay, little boring, but if you are into pre Civil War history you might like this one. Worth your while., but real wordy.
September 26, 2020
S boy grows up on the sea
Easy to read. Not a lot of detail about ships or places. More of a summary of one man's life over time.
Easy to read. Not a lot of detail about ships or places. More of a summary of one man's life over time.
Read
October 18, 2018Excellent work by one lived in that time and speaks the language and terms of sailing ships gone by.
A lifetime at sea Around the globe telling of many experiences, adventures and dangers including piracy. In the telling the reader discovers too a good person of which there may have been many back then but also a scoundrel or two to be found on board. Enjoy.
A lifetime at sea Around the globe telling of many experiences, adventures and dangers including piracy. In the telling the reader discovers too a good person of which there may have been many back then but also a scoundrel or two to be found on board. Enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews