The Dark Frigate

"The Dark Frigate" by Charles Boardman Hawes is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. This adventurous tale is set in the time of King Charles and follows the life of Philip Marsham, a young man bred for the sea, who faces a series of trials that ultimately lead him away from the ocean he loves. The story appears to explore themes of loyalty, adventure, and the struggle of a noble spirit against the trials of fate. The opening of the novel introduces Philip Marsham as he reflects on his life, recounting his upbringing in the maritime world and his father's untimely death during a storm at sea. After recovering from a fever while living in an alehouse, Philip finds himself in trouble due to an accidental gunshot that destroys property and leads to a furious pursuit of him by local townsfolk. Fleeing for his life, Philip decides to abandon London and his dream of becoming a sailor, choosing instead to wander the countryside, where he hopes to reinvent himself. This engaging mix of youthful recklessness, humor, and a touch of fate sets the stage for his further adventures. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Charles Boardman Hawes was an American writer of fiction and nonfiction sea stories, best known for three historical novels. He died suddenly at age 34, after only two of his five books had been published. He was the first U.S.-born winner of the annual Newbery Medal, recognizing his third novel The Dark Frigate (1923) as the year's best American children's book. Reviewing the Hawes Memorial Prize Contest in 1925, The New York Times observed that "his adventure stories of the sea caused him to be compared with Stevenson, Dana and Melville".