A Seafaring Legacy: The Photographs, Diaries, Letters, and Memorabilia of a Maine Sea Captain and His Wife, 1859-1908

by Julianna Freehand

Portrays the lives of nineteenth-century sea captain Sumner Drinkwater and his wife, Alice, and provides a fascinating glimpse of New England port life and a life at sea

Genres: History

210 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1983

Reviews

[Ruth York · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this collection of letters written by Sumner Drinkwater and his wife, Alice Gray Drinkwater. Part of the reason I enjoyed this book is likely in large part due to being related to them, albeit distantly. The only part of this that bothered me was when the author who compiled all the memorabilia would interject irrelevant thoughts, such as whether Sumner ever had any affairs in ports while he was sailing. The many photographs were a genealogist's dream. I could only wish I had journals and letters from one of my direct descendants as this collection had. They were a great view into the life of a deepwater captain in the late 1800's and early 1900's, as well as life in a coastal Maine town.

[Rudy Seifert · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author has crafted a pleasing narrative of the waning days of Sail, using the letters of Sumner Drinkwater, his wife Alice and their families. She provides commentary to make the letters into a consistent story. Some good photos as well.