The Blockade Runners by Jules Verne
Author: Jules Verne | Published: 1865
The Blockade Runners Synopsis
The Blockade Runners is a novel by Jules Verne, first published in 1865. It is set during the American Civil War and tells the story of British blockade runners who risk their lives to bring supplies to the Confederate.
The novel follows the adventures of Captain James Playfair, a British merchant determined to break the Union blockade of Charleston Harbor. Playfair is joined by a young woman named Jenny Halliburtt, who is searching for her father, a journalist imprisoned by the Confederates. The blockade runners face many dangers, including Confederate ships, Union warships, and the harsh weather of the Atlantic Ocean. They also face the danger of being captured by the Confederates, who would likely execute them as spies.
Excerpt from The Blockade Runners Online Book
The Clyde was the first river whose waters were lashed into foam by a steam-boat. It was in 1812 when the steamer called the Comet ran between Glasgow and Greenock, at the speed of six miles an hour. Since that time more than a million of steamers or packet-boats have plied this Scotch river, and the inhabitants of Glasgow must be as familiar as any people with the wonders of steam navigation.
However, on the 3rd of December, 1862, an immense crowd, composed of shipowners, merchants, manufacturers, workmen, sailors, women, and children, thronged the muddy streets of Glasgow, all going in the direction of Kelvin Dock, the large shipbuilding premises belonging to Messrs. Tod & MacGregor.
About Jules Verne
Jules Verne (1828-1905) was a French writer widely regarded as one of the pioneers of science fiction literature. Born in Nantes, France, on February 8, 1828, Verne was fascinated with travel and exploration from an early age. However, his father wanted him to pursue a legal career, and Verne reluctantly studied law in Paris.
Despite his legal studies, Verne's passion for writing persisted, and he began to contribute articles and plays to various publications. In the 1850s, he met Pierre-Jules Hetzel, a publisher who recognized Verne's talent and encouraged him to write adventure stories for young readers. This partnership proved instrumental in shaping Verne's literary career. Verne's breakthrough came with the publication of his novel "Five Weeks in a Balloon" in 1863, followed by "Journey to the Center of the Earth" (1864) and "From the Earth to the Moon" (1865). These works established Verne as a popular author known for his imaginative scientific discovery and exploration tales. Find out more about Jules Verne at sevenov.com.