A List To Starboard
Francis Hopkinson Smith's A List To Starboard is a novel set in the late 19th century. It follows the story of a young man, John, who is sent to sea by his father in order to make his fortune. John is determined to make a name for himself and prove his worth to his father. John's journey takes him to many exotic ports of call, where he meets a variety of characters, from the wealthy and powerful to the downtrodden and desperate. Along the way, he learns about the harsh realities of life at sea, and the dangers of the deep. He also discovers the power of friendship and loyalty, and the importance of standing up for what is right. Ultimately, John must decide whether to stay at sea and pursue his dreams, or return home and face his father's disapproval. A List To Starboard is a thrilling adventure story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
By Francis Hopkinson Smith · First published 1909 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Romance · 3 chapters · 6,814 words
First lines
A short, square chunk of a man walked into a shipping office on the East Side, and inquired for the Manager of the Line. He had kindly blue eyes, a stub nose, and a mouth that shut to like a rat-trap, and stayed shut. Under his chin hung a pair of half-moon whiskers which framed his weather-beaten face as a spike collar frames a dog's.
"You don't want to send this vessel to sea again," blurted out the chunk. "She ought to go to the dry-dock. Her boats haven't had a brushful of paint for a year; her boilers are caked clear to her top flues, and her pumps won't take care of her bilge water. Charter something else and lay her up."
What this Textopian page supports
A List To Starboard is listed on Textopian as a novel by Francis Hopkinson Smith, dated 1909 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Francis Hopkinson Smith
- Date: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Romance, Literary Fiction
- Length: 6,814 words
- Structure: 3 chapters, 123 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A List To Starboard by Francis Hopkinson Smith
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A List To Starboard?
- How does this novel by Francis Hopkinson Smith fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The book is set in the late 19th century and follows the story of a young man's journey to find his place in the world.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey of self-discovery, encountering many obstacles and adventures along the way.
- Romance — The protagonist falls in love with a woman he meets on his journey, and the story follows their relationship.
- Literary Fiction — The book is written in a lyrical and poetic style, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and love.
Tags
Fiction · Ships · Short stories · aboard · actor · another · back · boats · boy · bridge · captain · chief