SOLVED. Historical Autobiography/ Memoir of a Count who becomes a Ship's Carpenter. About his years at sea, before steamships took over (late 1800's to early 1900's). Published around 1900-1930's. [s]

[Barbara]

This book is the memoirs of a man's life at sea, during the age of sail, as a ship's carpenter. He is a count, and an artist, but joins the merchant marines with a friend. The book is about his adventures on different ships, some good, some bad, and some horrific. At one point, he is trapped in an Asian country during a cholera epidemic, and watches the ship's crew die. He (obviously) survives. The advent of steamships ends his career as a carpenter, and he retires.

[Kris]

Barbara, around what year did you read this book? A range of years is fine.

What is the story's time period (e.g., late 1700s, early 1800s)? What is the count's home country?

Could this be a novel?

[Barbara]

I read this in the mid '70's, probably 1973 to 1974. The book takes place in the late 1800's to early 1900's, when ships still sailed by wind, before steamships took over. The count's name was French, but he was either an naturalized American or Canadian citizen. It was not a novel or fiction, it was the memoirs of his years at sea. There was a photo near the beginning of the book of his merchant marine license. The book was published in the early 1900's or around 1920 to 1930's, perhaps.

[Kris]

Thanks. I added some details to the header. Feel free to edit it.

[Ayshe]

A Count in the Fo'c'sle maybe?

[Barbara]

A Count in the Fo'c'sle it is! Thank you!