The Pirates: A Positronic Book

by Morgan Robertson

She was the largest, fastest, and latest thing in seagoing destroyers, and though the specifications called for but thirty-six knots' speed, she had made thirty-eight on her trial trip, and later, under careful nursing by her engineers, she had increased this to forty knots an hour-five knots faster than any craft afloat-and, with a clean bottom, this speed could be depended upon at any time it was needed. She carried four twenty-one-inch torpedo tubes and a battery of six twelve-pounder, rapid-fire guns; also, she carried two large searchlights and a wireless equipment of seventy miles reach, the aërials of which stretched from the truck of her short signal mast aft to a short pole at the taffrail. Her crew was not on board, however. Newly scraped and painted in the dry dock, she had been hauled out, stored, and fueled by a navy-yard gang, and now lay at the dock, ready for sea-ready for her draft of men in the morning, and with no one on board for the night but the executive officer, who, with something on his mind, had elected to remain, while the captain and other commissioned officers went ashore for the night.

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1912

About the author

Morgan Andrew Robertson (1861 - 1915) was an American author of short stories and novels, as well as the self-proclaimed inventor of the periscope.

He is best remembered today as the author of Futility, or The Wreck of the Titan , an 1898 disaster novel noted for its similarities to the sinking of RMS Titanic fourteen years later.

Reviews

[Lukas Durjan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Came across this short just after reading The Wreck Of The Titan, Or Futility, which disappointed me in various points and this is unfortunately the same thing. A series of highly unlikely events, mixed with interesting details though.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than other things by this author but still quite simple in its rendering of plot and characters. Far fetched tale that wanders aimlessly.

[Emma Grove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe somewhat predictable but still exciting! Found this to be interesting, fast-paced, & high energy.

[Nicholas Maulucci · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know how I picked up this little book, but it was an interesting, fictional read. it is written in a late 19th century, early 20th century writing style so one must pay attention as one reads. good for a junior high book report project.