'Dog-Watches At Sea' Summary

Dog-Watches At Sea is an autobiography by Stanton H. King, a Barbadian sailor who embarked on a maritime career at the young age of twelve in 1880. The book chronicles King's experiences as a common sailor, offering a glimpse into the harsh realities and adventures of life at sea during the late 19th century. King provides vivid accounts of shipboard routines, stormy weather, encounters with pirates, and the camaraderie amongst sailors. He also reflects on the challenges and hardships he faced, including injuries, illness, and the limitations of his social standing as a black man in a white-dominated world. The book concludes with King's eventual retirement from sailing and his dedication to the Sailors Haven, a charitable organization in Boston, Massachusetts.