Book Description

In Two Years Before the Mast: A Personal Narrative of Life at Sea, Richard Henry Dana, Jr., presents a narrative of his two years as a sailor aboard the Pilgrim, trading on the coast of California. He describes the sailor's life in the early days of shipping, as well as life in California before the gold rush. His eyesight impaired by measles, Dana left Harvard University to take a voyage during his convalescence--but as a sailor rather than passenger. Upon his return, he published his narrative of that sea journey. The book consists of thirty-seven chapters, most of them subdivided into journal entries written on particular days of interest. The concluding chapter, written some time later, suggests reforms to remedy the injustices of sailors' lives.Dana begins on the day of sailing, August 14, 1834, on the brig Pilgrim. The ship was bound for the West Coast of North America from Boston. His first impression of the ship was negative. The captain described himself to the crew as "clever," but "a bloody rascal" when crossed. The narrative follows the daily life and hardships of the sailors on the journey around Cape Horn. Dana describes memorable experiences such as the sighting of albatrosses, dolphins, and whales. He also shares much technical knowledge about the ship itself. Arriving at the California coast, the vessel anchored in the bay of Santa Barbara. Dana describes the coast of California and its inhabitants. The brig engaged in trading, traveling up the coast to Monterey and back down to San Pedro and San Diego.