Denison Gets Another Ship

Name: Denison Gets Another Ship
Author: Louis Becke

The story revolves around a young sailor named Denison who becomes embroiled in a series of adventures on the high seas. He joins a ship and quickly rises through the ranks due to his bravery and cunning. Denison's experiences are marked by violence, betrayal, and tragedy as he navigates the treacherous world of 19th-century maritime trade. Along the way, he forms alliances with various characters, including a mysterious woman who becomes embroiled in his life. As Denison's fortunes rise and fall, he is forced to confront the harsh realities of his existence and the true nature of those around him. The novel explores themes of loyalty, deception, and redemption in a world where survival often depends on one's ability to adapt and navigate complex moral landscapes. Ultimately, Denison's journey takes him to the farthest reaches of the globe, where he must confront the consequences of his actions and the true cost of his ambition.

By Louis Becke · First published 1881 · Genre: Adventure, Literary Fiction, Humor · 2,983 words

First lines

Owing to reduced circumstances, and a growing hatred of the hardships of the sea, young Tom Denison (ex-supercargo of the South Sea Island trading schooner _Palestine_) had sailed from Sydney to undertake the management of an alleged duck-farm in North Queensland. The ducks, and the vast area of desolation in which they suffered a brief existence, were the property of a Cooktown bank, the manager of which was Denison's brother. He was a kind-hearted man, who wanted to help Tom along in the world, and, therefore, was grieved when at the end of three weeks the latter came into Cooktown humping his swag, smoking a clay pipe, and looking exceedingly tired, dirty, and disreputable generally. However, all might have gone well even then had not Mrs. Aubrey Denison, the brother's wife, unduly interfered and lectured Tom on his "idle and dissolute life," as she called it, and made withering remarks about the low tastes of sailors other than captains of mail steamers or officers in the Navy. Tom, who intended to borrow L10 from his brother to pay his passage back to Sydney to look for a ship, bore it all in silence, and then said that he should like to give up the sea and become a missionary in the South Seas, where he was "well acquainted with the natives."

What this Textopian page supports

Denison Gets Another Ship is listed on Textopian as a short story by Louis Becke, dated 1881 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: Louis Becke
Date: 1881 CE
Language: English
Genres: Adventure, Literary Fiction, Humor, Coming-of-Age, Historical Fiction
Length: 2,983 words
Structure: 1 section, 36 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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How does this short story by Louis Becke fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles

Genres

Adventure — The protagonist's journey through various jobs and his return to the sea encapsulates the essence of adventure.
Literary Fiction — The narrative explores themes of identity, societal expectations, and personal growth, characteristic of literary fiction.
Humor — The protagonist's misadventures and interactions, particularly with Mrs. Aubrey and the grocer, provide comedic elements.
Coming-of-Age — The story follows a young man's struggles and realizations as he navigates adulthood and his aspirations.