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The Blurb:
Here is a memoir of journeys into deep waters on merchant ships. There are tranquil tropical harbours and violent storms far from shore. We are in the wireless room when ships are calling for help. The story begins with humble origins on the coast of County Durham surrounded by family still coming to terms with the Great War. The author’s father went to war on horseback, yet in this story we are on the brink of the modern world. The writer was fortunate to join the Merchant Navy in the 1950s, and know its most glorious days. Harry Nicholson now lives near Whitby, on the Yorkshire coast. His other books are Tom Fleck, a Tudor novel of Cleveland and Flodden, and its sequel The Black Caravel. His collected poetry is suitably titled, Wandering About.
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There it is. Taking a respite from historical novels, I’ve had a go at memoir. I’m cheered to find my first attempt has raised its first review – and from a lady in the USA.
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on May 17, 2018
A captivating account of the life of a young man raised in Hartlepool England, who goes to sea in the Merchant Navy as a radio operator and returns home a master of Morse code. He’s witnessed strange and intriguing places that I will probably never see, but thanks to this author’s poetic descriptions and vivid imagery, I feel as though I’ve been there. For us history buffs, Mr. Nicholson offers insight into the history and legends of the places he visited. This memoir is a must-read.
1513 fusion 
I recently downloaded both your “sparks” books on my Kindle. Wonderful reading of your days at sea pounding brass. Even better, the people, places, and events of those days on shore and salt water. We are the same age. While you were radio at sea, I was radio in the air. Air Force radioman. Was very pleased to be able to find the two memoires, electronically as my Kindle is my English library here on the Brittany coast. Stay well as also those near and dear. 73 Dick F8WBD.
Thank you for making contact, Dick; I’m delighted you found the memoirs enjoyable and akin to your own Morse career.. At first I had imagined readership would be retricted to retired Merchant Navy people, but the books are being picked up by a wider readership. So I’m encouraged enough to press on with a volume 3 which is about a quarter done.
For every paperback, the Kindle finds 20 readers. It is a great system for independent writers.
I hope you are well on the Britanny coast – a lovely province that we visited once. We have had our second Pfizer jab today and so feel safer- it was too late for Beryl’s brother and his wife who were swept away over Xmas. A sad time for us all.
Great to hear from you,
regards
Harry Nicholson, Whitby, N Yorks.
This is a great book about life and work in the 50’s. A great insight into a slower pace of life and love.