APPRENTICE AT SEA

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 66, 10 December 1938, Page 2 (Supplement)

APPRENTICE AT SEA

Autobiographical Record By A New Zealander

"First Voyage,” by Commander Frank Worsley (London: Geoffrey Ries).

"First Voyage" is autobiography of outstanding interest., with special appeal to New Z,ealanders, who will find in the early chapters a vivid picture of pioneering life in this country in the early fifties and onward. The delightful opening paragraph is typical of the breezy humour which persists tliroughout I lie book : In IS.M, Uniirv Woi-slv.v. an English gvutleiniin with the air of a pi'iun- but no bust-iie-w instincts, sold liis pruperl.v in Rugby an.l. tii-r.l by the spirit of adienlure Sol sail In tli,. barque Cornwall for Xvw Zealand. He took wiith him his second wile, three fain'lies. two tliurougbiired racing horses and a quantity of furniture. His eldest son. llenrv 'llieopliiiis—beloved of Gud -wlni Inter assumed lhe responsibility of becoming mv parent, was then, at Hie uge of 17. studying at Rugby under Dr. Arnoid. He Joylully abandoned Ills studies to become a pioneer—to lie one of Hie first band of colonists to go !;• that strange but lovely new land. Xew Zealiind.

'l'liree families—three brands of stepsls.crs and brothers—tire grave responsibilities— responsibilities tlml m.v grandparents were not averse from lielegating tn mv falher. it speaks well tor turn Hull Hiev arrived in Xew Zealand without mur iler or even recorded bloodshed.

Frank Worsley was burli ( iu Akaiva ami, from lii<s earliest years, appears to have been tlie possessor of an adventurous and precocious nature. His young life seems to have been a series of often dangerou.s escapades, and tlie reader may feel a certain sympathy with his father and stepmother when "as tiie r.oiilt of sundry broad hints, 1 proposed to my family that 1 should go to sea." At first tlie then manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company suggested postponement on account of the lad’s small size, but six months later Eraiik Worsley set sail as ait apprentice m the Walroa, arriving in Loudon 92 days later.

The theme of “Eirst Voyage" is this journey to England and back, packed with interest and written witli an admirable sense of balance. There is no attempt to gloss over the hardships of life on a windjammer, but the emphasis is not exaggerated, and lhe reader gathers that, from lite first, this boy who seemed able Io turn even his lack of inches to his own advantage, was in his natural element in Hie atmosphere of ships and the sea. The description of life on board is detailed and illuminating, and Commander Worsley’s excellent and vital gift of style makes the reading a sustained pleasure. Humour, a capacity for close observation and a generous share of high spirits and human imperfection makes young Frank Worsley a delightful person to meet, though perhaps, like his parents, we may feel tlml he was more suitably employed nt sea titan hanging around his home.

Commander Worsley accompanied Shackleton on his Antarctic Expedition in the Endurance,> and is the irutbor of two notable books, “Endurance” and “Shackleton’s Boat Journey," dealing with a later phase of his own life than does “First 'Voyage."

A CHILD AND HER MUSIC

“She Shall Have Music," by Kitty Baine (London: Dent).

Here is a good book for those many boys and girls who are learning music and enjoying it. It is first of all a story, so that none will suspect how much information it contains. A little girl who loves music sets out on a musical career without any help from parents who have no money to spare to send her to be taught, and who know nothing of music. She belongs to quite a large family, and tlie story tells of the doings of her brothers and sisters as well as those of the young musician, Karen. They are just a pleasant, ordinary family, and will appeal to all young 'people. Karen first decides to play the piano when she stays with Aunt Anne, who lias a piano and plays it. After that Karen’s keenness .helps her to overcome the lack of a piano. She gets permission to play on a dreadful instrument in the parish hall; a sympathetic friend teaches her to play, but gives her such an ornate style that when she plays in a festival she gets no marks at all. Thus she goes through all the vicissitudes that, can befall a budding artist until at last, after receiving good tuition, site wins a scholarship and her career is assured. Children will learn a great deal about good music from this book, but its informative purpose is well concealed in its story. AUTHENTIC ADVENTURE “Heroes of Forgotten Adventure,” by T. C. Bridges (London: Harrup). This is a well-printed and illustrated book for the youth of any British country. The author has collected IS authentic stories of adventure, bravery and hardihood, and lias recounted them in an arrestingly interesting style to suit the youthful palate. He has selected the adventures from episodes of. history tiiat occurred in the last century, and, although lie calls the adventures forgotten, they are certainly well wortli remembering. He begins with adventure in Africa and tells of William Oswell, the "Muscle Man.” a splendid type of young Englishman.

Every tale, and they are all vouched for as true, is well written and brings into high relief those characteristics which are to be commended in Englishmen-—adventure, sportsmanship and gallantry. Though the author places a limit of time from which to draw his material, the whole world is his stage. Russia, the Yukon, Africa, China, India and Australia each provide special stages whereon is acted some piece of adventure worth recording and remembering. Mr. Bridges has been til some pains to search for suitable subject matter, and there is no doubt that he has succeeded admirably. Every youth who reads this book will be grateful to him for his industry. books’ in~dem an d The Wellington City Librarian lias furnished the following list of books in demand :— GENERAL. “First Voyage in a Square-Rigged Ship,” by F. Worsley. “Vanessa and the Dean,” by L. Gibbs. “In Czechoslovakia's Hinterland." by 11. I’. B. Baerlein. FICTION. ■■Rough Shooting.” !>y I’. C. 'Aren. “Policeman's Evidence,” by R. Penny. “Camperdown,” by E. Morrison.