Book Description

Set in post-war England, this is the story of the square-rigger Bonnie Clyde. Before this great lady meets her fate, a group of rogue sailors, unable to persuade the Admiralty to help save the vessel, pirates the ship away while she's under tow to be scuttled. Through their creative use of materials and methods, they sail her through the English Channel and the Irish Sea, hoping to deliver the ship to where she was built in Dumbarton, Scotland on the river Clyde. A former Royal Navy officer Lt. Flynn tells the story. He is lured into conspiring with a Scottish sea captain (Bowman), his British first mate (Harris) who is the inside connection to parts from the scrap yards, an Irish navigator (Edward), and a Russian master rigger (Boris). Together, the crew outsmarts the British Admiralty and Scotland Yard in their attempts to stop the ship. During their journey, the crew fights the weather and avoids modern day detection. A sympathetic public opinion, aided by an AP reporter and a host of unlikely co-conspirators become their allies. Praise from reviewers: Walter Cronkite — A Ship's Tale by N. Jay Young is “an extraordinary tale from World War II of an extraordinary sailing vessel written by a courageous and extraordinary author.” James P. Delgado, Host of National Geographic Television’s The Sea Hunters and Executive Director, Vancouver Maritime Museum — “A Ship’s Tale by N. Jay Young is compelling, true to life, and hitting straight in the heart. I can empathize with those men who love that ship—for I too have loved and lost a ship. I encourage anyone with a love of the sea as well as those in a relationship with one of us ‘ship loving’ types to read this book.” Clive Cussler — “This is a good book and would make a good film.”