Two Years Before the Mast

"Two Years Before the Mast" is the story of Richard Henry Dana Jr., a young Harvard student, who leaves school to go on a sea voyage to improve his health. Dana shipped out of Boston on the brig Pilgrim bound for California to bring back cow hides, presumably for the leather industry around Boston. "Two Years Before the Mast" is a graphic, sometimes chilling, picture of what life was like for seamen on a merchant ship in the 1800s. They were no better than slaves, with life and death being subject to the whims of the captain. Their pay was small and sometimes they were forced to spend it in what amounted to a company store. It was possible to go on a two year voyage and wind up owing the shipping company money. The condition under which this labor was performed stretches the imagination. "Two Years Before the Mast also provides fascinating information on pre-gold rush California history and Mexican Alta California, as well as the Sandwich Islanders (Hawaiians). All in all, "Two Years Before the Mast" is one of the most vivid accounts of the relationship between man and sea-and still rings true as a portrayal of man's endurance.