Contraband of War by W.W. Jacobs
A group of seamen aboard a schooner clandestinely agree to help a young deserter avoid detection. An elderly, resourceful sailor convinces the crew to conceal the escapee, charging him a modest fee for passage to London, where he hopes to start a new life away from military life. The narrative unfolds through the interactions of the hardened crew—including a practical seaman, a witty linesman, and an astute young boy—in a dialect rich with naval jargon and humor. As the plan proceeds, the deserter, known as Private Smith, experiences a series of comic misadventures: from furtive admission on board and humorous negotiations over his disguise to a nearly staged rescue from the sea that borders on farce. The plot centers on the tension between duty and compassion, with the crew improvising a series of evasive maneuvers to cover for their breach of naval regulations. They engage in elaborate ruses—fabricating stories, modifying appearances with new clothes bought in a hurried shopping trip onshore, and even performing a mock rescue—to deflect any suspicion if the ship’s authorities were to discover the stowaway. Amid this, Private Smith’s predicament is painted as both a personal failure driven by romantic misfortune and a social commentary on the absurdity of strict military discipline. Throughout the work, the characters display a mix of moral ambiguity: the crew’s willingness to help is tempered by self-interest and the desire to avoid punishment, while the deserter is portrayed with both vulnerability and a streak of stubborn pride. The narrative’s humor and ironic tone derive from the contrast between the rough, pragmatic world of the sailors and the idealistic, naive hope of one man escaping his past. As events progress toward their London landing, the crew’s collective enterprise spirals into a series of audacious, often mischievous, acts that underscore the absurdity of war, authority, and the human condition in a tempestuously shifting social order. Ultimately, the story serves as a microcosm of life at sea during wartime—a blend of camaraderie, subterfuge, and farcical heroism—in which the boundaries of right and wrong blur in the face of practical survival and reluctant benevolence.
By W.W. Jacobs · First published 1914 · Genre: Maritime Fiction, Comic Fiction, War/Military Fiction · 5,947 words
First lines
A small but strong lamp was burning in the fo'c'sle of the schooner Greyhound, by the light of which a middle-aged seaman of sedate appearance sat crocheting an antimacassar. Two other men were snoring with deep content in their bunks, while a small, bright-eyed boy sat up in his, reading adventurous fiction.
"Here comes old Dan," said the man with the anti-macassar warningly, as a pair of sea boots appeared at the top of the companion-ladder; "better not let him see you with that paper, Billee."
What this Textopian page supports
Contraband of War is listed on Textopian as a short story by W.W. Jacobs, dated 1914 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: W.W. Jacobs
- Date: 1914 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Maritime Fiction, Comic Fiction, War/Military Fiction, Adventure Fiction, Picaresque
- Length: 5,947 words
- Structure: 1 section, 150 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Contraband of War by W.W. Jacobs
- 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 Contraband of War?
- How does this short story by W.W. Jacobs fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Maritime Fiction first become important in the reading?
Genres
- Maritime Fiction — The narrative is set predominantly on a schooner with authentic seafaring dialogue and shipboard life.
- Comic Fiction — The story employs humorous language, witty banter, and farcical situations to entertain readers.
- War/Military Fiction — Themes of desertion, military service, and the consequences of conflict are central to the plot.
- Adventure Fiction — The plot follows a series of escapades and perilous journeys, characteristic of adventure narratives.
Tags
war · military · conflict · smuggling · crime · suspense · adventure · historical · drama · irony · dark humor · espionage