David Dreadnought; or, Nautic Tales and Adventures, in Verse. (In Four Parts)

Bath printed by Wood & Cunningham; & sold by Williams, London, 1813. First Edition. Hardcover (Quarter Leather). Very Good Condition. b/w. frontis. engraving showing the Internment of Henry Mowbray with a view of Rock Deception & a prospect of Henry's Bay; the story in verse of David Dreadnought, the reformed English sailor, which owes its existence to a pulpit anecdote related in Bath around 1785 by the Rev. Thomas Tuppen concerning the conversion of a very profligate Sailor. This anecdote, and the impressive manner in which it was related, struck the Author's mind very forcibly, who had himself just quitted the sea service, and who then composed some lines on the subject, which formed the first part of 'Nautic Tales and Adventures in Verse' which is followed by some further account of David Dreadnought, with also the interesting narratives of John Marrant, the negro convert, and Donald Henderson, the Caledonian mariner. Whilst primarily religious in intent the poems include many interesting allusions to seafaring in the late 18th & early 19th centuries. Each of the four parts is preceded by a detailed synopsis (here titled: "Argument" - an archaic use of the word). The book has been tastefully rebound in marbled boards with a leather spine. A scarce copy of the complete four-part edition. Size: 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. 224 pages. Binding is tight, covers and spine fully intact. Some foxing to frontis. & title pages, but body of book mostly clean and unfoxed. no Dust Jacket as published.. Marbled edges in good condition. Gilt titles & bands to spine. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 500 grams. Category: Antiquarian & Rare; Poetry; Biography & Autobiography; Ships & the Sea; 19th century; Religion & Theology. Inventory No: 3420. .