Brave Old Salt; or, Life on the Quarter Deck: A Story of the Great Rebellion

"Brave Old Salt; or, Life on the Quarter Deck: A Story of the Great Rebellion" by Oliver Optic is a historical adventure novel written in the mid-19th century. The book delivers an exciting narrative centered on Ensign John Somers, a young naval officer navigating the complexities of both military life and personal relationships during the tumultuous times of the American Civil War. This work is part of a series titled "The Army and Navy Stories," and it promises themes of bravery, loyalty, and the moral dilemmas faced by those in service. The opening of the novel introduces us to Somers as he celebrates his recent promotion with Miss Kate Portington, showcasing his mingling of youthful pride and modesty. The narrative quickly unfolds to reveal Somers's interactions with his fellow officers and his ongoing concern about his station aboard the ship Chatauqua. As he prepares to set sail, he encounters Lieutenant Pillgrim, whose loyalties remain shrouded in mystery. With hints of conspiratorial plots and a wounded sailor's plea for help, Somers's journey begins amid suspenseful undercurrents that suggest greater challenges and conflicts lie ahead, setting the tone for an engaging adventure filled with intrigue and moral tests. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

William Taylor Adams, pseudonym Oliver Optic, was an academic, author, and a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.