The Mystery of the Sea-Lark
"The Mystery of the Sea-Lark" by Ralph Henry Barbour follows the adventures of Jack Holden, a young boy living in the Massachusetts fishing town of Greenport. The story begins with a storm that leaves only one boat missing, the Ellen E. Hanks, which Jack and his friend Cap'n Crumbie discuss. Jack's father, Samuel Holden, was once a partner with Simon Barker in a fish merchant business, but their partnership ended after a robbery left Samuel injured and accused of theft by Barker. Jack, determined to help his father financially, decides to start a ferry service across the harbor using an old sloop, the Sea-Lark, which he and his friend George Santo manage to refloat and repair. The ferry service becomes successful, and Jack earns money to support his family. However, mysterious events unfold as someone repeatedly tries to board the Sea-Lark at night, leading Jack to suspect foul play. Throughout the story, Jack encounters various characters, including the suspicious Martin and Hegan, who express interest in the Sea-Lark. Despite the challenges, Jack's determination and resourcefulness help him navigate through the mysteries and dangers surrounding the Sea-Lark. The story combines elements of adventure, mystery, and the theme of perseverance as Jack strives to clear his father's name and secure a better future for his family.
By Ralph Henry Barbour · First published 1911 · Genre: Adventure, Mystery, Maritime · 18 chapters · 68,770 words
First lines
"A lucky thing so few of the boats were out when the storm came up! " said Jack Holden. "I guess they'd have had a pretty hard time of it yesterday."
Similar titles
- Strange Craft by W. Clark Russell
- Gravesend by W. Clark Russell
- The Strange Adventures Of A South Seaman by W. Clark Russell
- The Transport Palestine by W. Clark Russell
- A Strange Chase by W. Clark Russell
- The Bailiff At Sea by W. Clark Russell
Genres
- Adventure — The narrative centers on high-seas exploits and daring journeys that define its adventurous spirit.
- Mystery — The plot revolves around uncovering hidden secrets and solving enigmatic puzzles linked to the sea.
- Maritime — The setting and thematic elements are deeply rooted in nautical culture and seafaring life.
- Suspense — The storyline builds continuous tension and anticipation as events unfold unpredictably.
Tags
adventure · mystery · nautical · seafaring · suspense · thriller · voyage · exploration · maritime · crime · detection · historical
What this Textopian page supports
The Mystery of the Sea-Lark is listed on Textopian as a novel by Ralph Henry Barbour, dated 1911 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Ralph Henry Barbour
- Date: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Mystery, Maritime, Suspense
- Length: 68,770 words
- Structure: 18 chapters, 1,566 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Mystery of the Sea-Lark by Ralph Henry Barbour
- 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
Contents
- Cap'N Crumbie is Surprised
- George Signs On
- Back to the Water
- The Trial Trip
- A Rescue
- Prowlers
- The Clue
- Jack Counts his Profits
- The Sea-Lark to the Rescue
- Salvage
- The Struggle in the Dark
- Fighting a Gale
- The Simon P. Barker Goes Out
- Castaways
- Jack Loses Command
- Cast Adrift
- Trapped!
- The Canvas Bag