In 1933, a young Canadian woman rejected the expectations of society and her upper-class family and became a crew member aboard one of the last great four-masted sailing vessels that still plied the ocean.
It was not an easy task. Young Annette had to fight pressures from her family, rejection from schools of navigation, and doubts from ship owners. When she finally found a berth as an apprentice seaman, she faced hostility from officers and crew, who grumbled that she should be home "raising babies." In the end, however, Annette won their respect, taking in sails, standing night watches, hauling and coiling ropes all the tasks the men were doing, with no concession to a girl's lesser strength.
My Year Before the Mast tells the story of Annette Brock Davis's life on the sea as the first female crew member of a commercial sailing line. Her courage and determination to break into a closed male world are central to this book, but we cannot ignore the fact that, while this is a book about a woman's struggle, it is also a book about the sea. Davis brings to life an era long gone, and introduces an incredible cast of characters the crew, officers, and passengers, each with his own foibles, humour, generosity, and flashes of meanness. But through it all, Annette emerges as the most remarkable character of them all.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Annette Brock Davis has published articles in many nautical periodicals, including The Dogwatch, and exhibits her critically acclaimed, sea-inspired paintings in Canada and the United States. Now in her ninetieth year, she still sleeps in a bunk bed and navigates her bicycle on errands around Bridgenorth, the southern Ontario village where she lives.
"Davis presents the romance and work of being on a sailing ship in her clear, but modest, voice. She brings back this era convincingly with personal stories and memoirs."
(Katharine C. Black)"If you enjoy a well-written, entertaining sea yarn with an unusual ending, consider adding My Year Before the Mast to your sailing library."
(J. Gregory Dill Ocean Navigator)"... filled with history, humour, and Annette's own vibrant personality. For the history buff, there are photos, charts, glossaries, and biographical notes on the main characters."
(Joan Eyolfson Port Hole)"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
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Book Description Illustrated Soft Cover. Condition: New. A big block of fine illustrations (illustrator). 1st Edition. "My Year Before the Mast", by Annette Brock Davis. Copyright 1999 by the author. Published by Hounslow Press, Toronto Canada. First Edition (published only in soft wraps). Coded First Printing. NOT Ex-Library. Brand New condition in illustrated soft wraps, 9 1/4" x 6 1/4" x 270 clean pages of remarkable autobiography from an ordinary woman who was raised between Britain and Canada, loved the sea, managed to be admitted to and graduating a course in navigation, and found a company willing to hire her as an apprentice seaman aboard a four-masted freighter sailing to Australia. She was treated with derision by the other crew until she proved her mettle - she was accepted as a fellow sailor and performed well - she was offered another berth. Here, 60 years on she tells her story. Tight and firm, no wear - never opened, never read. No whitening, No mustiness, No looseness, No smoke smell. No names, No other markings, No bookplates, NOT Ex-Library, NOT Remainder-marked. An historic find. Seller Inventory # 016867
Book Description Condition: New. Book is in NEW condition. 0.8. Seller Inventory # 0888822073-2-1
Book Description Condition: Brand New. Ships SAME or NEXT business day. We Ship to APO/FPO addr. Choose EXPEDITED shipping and receive in 2-5 business days within the United States. See our member profile for customer support contact info. We have an easy return policy. Seller Inventory # 52898363
Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # Abebooks228130
Book Description Condition: New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! 0.8. Seller Inventory # Q-0888822073