Best seller autobiography, sailing classic, with maritime illustrations by renowned artist Kenneth D Shoesmith, complete with sea shanties and sailors knots – is of real sea life adventure in days before steamships, when life-or-death teamwork instilled salt-of-the-earth camaraderie, regardless of origins, since lost

SAILING CLASSIC of sea life adventure beautifully illustrated by renowned artist Kenneth D Shoesmith.

The autobiography opens on the early adventures of a 12-year-old boy sent to sea after the tragic deaths of his sister and father and the impending poverty of his mother. Not for these alone did the book draw great reviews from The Times and The Spectator, when first published in the 1920s (and repeated again now, see Reviews below).

Recently, intrigued by this touching life story, his grandson researched press clippings and documents that compelled him to update and publish the book again, to reveal the full story that must have influenced and spurred on his hero. Weathering fierce storms and worse, in his first 8 years as an apprentice mariner the boy grew into a fine young man, learning from and appreciating the multicultured seamen about him as they ploughed through the Asian trading routes, often fighting off formidable pirates on the South China seas. On his first return home, now aged 20, Boughton arrived in time to save his mother from bailiffs and life in a poorhouse. (He supported her to the end of her days.)

Exemplifying that steadfastness, he became a captain and then rose to become Superintendent of the Shipping Federation of Britain as well as Member of the Marine Board for London.

Notably, the book reproduces the original illustrations by Shoesmith, the still much admired artist of his day. The publication also includes old sea shanties, knots and amazing facts regarding world religions and more.