The Boy, Me, and the Cat: Life Aboard a Small Boat from Massachusetts to Florida and Back in 1912

by Henry M. Plummer

The story of the author's cruise from October 1912 through June 1913 with his son and cat aboard a catboat from Massachusetts to Florida and back.

172 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[Mik Hetu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book has been around for about a hundred years, literally. In 1912–1913, a man, his son, and their cat sailed a 24 foot catboat from Massachusetts to Florida and back.
This is interesting on at least four levels: the story, the adventure shared between father and son; the sailing accomplishment; the images of the natural East Coast from a century ago, so much less–developed than today; and the glimpses of American society that are just a few short decades over the generational bounds of common memory.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Genre: Historical nonfiction

I think that this book was okay because it was interesting in the way that it was written as the event happened, with every detail and event. Each thing that happened was described so vividly. Since this man was mainly a sailor, the writing didn't compare to some other authors, but it wasn't too bad.
I was surprised how in 1912 they completed their journey with as many obstacles as they did. I thought for sure they would wreck the boat before they arrived to Florida. I was also surprised that they made it with the limitation of supplies and technology they had. I can't imagine doing this with the technology of 1912. I truly was an accomplishment and it teaches you that with hard work anything is possible.

[Richard]

Loaned to my wife, a cat-boater, I ended up reading this journal of a voyage to Florida in 1912-13. Very pleasant reading, interesting. I was thrown by some of the sailing jargon, but the view of the country then and the very similar experiences of sailing made it worthwhile. Startling use of the "N-word," for example, the description of the cormorant as a "n----- goose," etc.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great sail through the past.

For anyone who sails, or anyone curious about life in America just prior to the Depression, this story is a great read. Somewhere between a sailing log and a philosophy lesson, it is an easy read that keeps pages turning well into the night. Truly a good read.