A Voice from the Main Deck; Samuel Leech; Whitemore, Niles & Hall, Boston, Mass., 1857, rep: Chatham Publishing, 1999; ISBN 1-86176-1139; £9.95; CA 15587

In the preface to the “New Edition” (the 16th), Richard H Dana Jr., author of "Two Years before the Mast" recalls Leech as an honest narrator, of sound religious principle, who did not embellish his accounts. This is possibly why this paperback is rather dull reading, as he authentically depicts the very hard life of the naval rating of his day. He does describe the horrors of battle at sea in blood curdling detail, however.

In 1810, at the age of twelve, Leech voluntarily joined the British frigate Macedonian from a literate family retained by nobility. His Lordship, who was in command, had promised him a commission. This did not materialise. Later the ship was engaged and captured by the USS United States. To escape the Royal Navy he joined the USN and, despite the present publisher’s blurb, did find, with some exceptions, better conditions. But he lived in constant fear of being hanged as a traitor if captured by the British. He later settled in America and became a successful businessman. Pardoned by the British, he was able to visit England in middle age.

Meeting Dana on his return he was persuaded to write this narrative which has been, and still is, an excellent reference book. - GS

Page prepared 1 December 1999

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