Mike Blackburn

Working the Waters

Dana Essay

            In Two Years Before the Mast, Richard Henry Dana Jr. depicts the life of the common tar onboard the brig Pilgrim. He was just nineteen when he signed on. He was a Harvard student and was in a unique position to offer an accurate account of life at sea from Jack Tar’s perspective.  It seems that Dana’s goal is to dispel misconceptions like the idea that “Are not sailors idle at sea,” (p18). He offers an eloquent voice for the common sailors of the merchant service in the 19th century. His explanation of the language, activities and customs of sailors enable the laymen to absorb the story and to gain more from it.

             This is just the intro/thesis... more to come