Synopses & Reviews
A "hen frigate," traditionally, was any ship with the captain's wife on board. Hen frigates were miniature worlds -- wildly colorful, romantic, and dangerous. Here are the dramatic, true stories of what the remarkable women on board these vessels encountered on their often amazing voyages: romantic moonlit nights on deck, debilitating seasickness, terrifying skirmishes with pirates, disease-bearing rats, and cockroaches as big as a man's slipper. And all of that while living with the constant fear of gales, hurricanes, typhoons, collisions, and fire at sea. Interweaving first-person accounts from letters and journals in and around the lyrical narrative of a sea journey, maritime historian Joan Druett brings life to these stories. We can almost feel for ourselves the fear, pain, anger, love, and heartbreak of these courageous women. Lavishly illustrated, this breathtaking book transports us to the golden age of sail.
Review
Michelle Green andlt;Iandgt;The Wall Street Journalandlt;/Iandgt; Riveting history.
Review
Michael Kenney andlt;Iandgt;The Boston Globeandlt;/Iandgt; An altogether fascinating account...lively and...poignant.
Review
Holly Morris andlt;Iandgt;The New York Times Book Reviewandlt;/Iandgt; A valuable collective portrait of intrepid seafaring women -- and an image of domestic challenge that would leave even Martha Stewart spinning.
Review
Judith Dunford andlt;Iandgt;Newsdayandlt;/Iandgt; Great fun, exhilarating as a cruise on a windjammer, and no Dramamine required.
Synopsis
A "hen frigate," traditionally, was any ship with the captain's wife on board. Hen frigates were miniature worlds -- wildly colorful, romantic, and dangerous. Here are the dramatic, true stories of what the remarkable women on board these vessels encountered on their often amazing voyages: romantic moonlit nights on deck, debilitating seasickness, terrifying skirmishes with pirates, disease-bearing rats, and cockroaches as big as a man's slipper. And all of that while living with the constant fear of gales, hurricanes, typhoons, collisions, and fire at sea. Interweaving first-person accounts from letters and journals in and around the lyrical narrative of a sea journey, maritime historian Joan Druett brings life to these stories. We can almost feel for ourselves the fear, pain, anger, love, and heartbreak of these courageous women. Lavishly illustrated, this breathtaking book transports us to the golden age of sail.
Table of Contents
andlt;Bandgt;CONTENTSandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Introductionandlt;BRandgt;CHAPTER ONE. The Honeymoonersandlt;BRandgt;CHAPTER TWO. At Seaandlt;BRandgt;CHAPTER THREE. Sex and the Seafaring Wifeandlt;BRandgt;CHAPTER FOUR. Children at Seaandlt;BRandgt;CHAPTER FIVE. Small Ladiesandlt;BRandgt;CHAPTER SIX. Ship Kitchensandlt;BRandgt;CHAPTER SEVEN. Occupational Therapyandlt;BRandgt;CHAPTER EIGHT. Medical Mattersandlt;BRandgt;CHAPTER NINE. Hazards of the Seaandlt;BRandgt;CHAPTER TEN. Dropping Anchorandlt;BRandgt;CHAPTER ELEVEN. On Shore in a Foreign Landandlt;BRandgt;APPENDIXandlt;BRandgt;INDEX