Dick Sand: A Captain at Fifteen by Jules Verne
Author: Jules Verne | Published: 1878
Dick Sand: A Captain at Fifteen Synopsis
Dick Sand, A Captain at Fifteen is an adventure novel by Jules Verne, published on December 1878. It tells the story of Dick Sand, a young orphan who becomes a captain at a young age. The story follows Dick's journey aboard the ship "Pilgrim," Dick Sand is a fifteen-year-old boy who serves as a sailor on the whaling schooner Pilgrim. After a disappointing hunting season, the ship returns home when it picks up four passengers: Mrs. Weldon, her five-year-old son Jack, his old nanny Nan, and her cousin Bénédict.
A few days later, the Pilgrim encounters a shipwreck and rescues five African-American survivors: Tom, Actéon, Austin, Bat, and Hercule. The ship also takes on a dog named Dingo. Shortly after the rescue, a whale attacks the Pilgrim, killing the captain and crew. Dick Sand, who has been learning navigation from the captain, is forced to take command of the ship. Dick Sand and the passengers sail the Pilgrim to Africa.
Excerpt from Dick Sand: A Captain at Fifteen Online Book
On February 2, 1876, the schooner "Pilgrim" was in latitude 43° 57' south, and in longitude 165° 19' west of the meridian of Greenwich.
This vessel, of four hundred tons, fitted out at San Francisco for whale-fishing in the southern seas, belonged to James W. Weldon, a rich
Californian ship-owner, who had for several years intrusted the command of it to Captain Hull.
About Jules Verne
Jules Verne was a renowned French author born on February 8, 1828, in Nantes, France. He is often called the "Father of Science Fiction" for his influential works that foresaw technological advancements and explored uncharted territories. Verne's writings significantly impacted the development of the science fiction genre.
His passion marked Verne's early life for adventure and exploration. Although his father wanted him to pursue a legal career, Verne secretly nurtured his love for writing. He studied law in Paris but spent much time exploring libraries and feeding his curiosity about science, geography, and technology. Despite Verne's literary success, he faced financial challenges early in his career. However, as his popularity grew, he achieved critical acclaim and financial stability. Verne's works were translated into multiple languages and enjoyed worldwide success. Find out more about Jules Verne on sevenov.com.