Project Gutenberg's From Powder Monkey to Admiral, by W.H.G. Kingston

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Title: From Powder Monkey to Admiral
A Story of Naval Adventure

Author: W.H.G. Kingston

Illustrator: Archibald Webb

Release Date: May 9, 2007 [EBook #21404]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FROM POWDER MONKEY TO ADMIRAL ***

Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England

From Powder Monkey to Admiral, a Story of Naval Adventure, by W.H.G.
Kingston.

________________________________________________________________________

This book was written for "Boy's Own Paper" shortly after that magazine
started. The plan was to write a book illustrating how it might be
possible for any very ordinary little boy joining the Navy in the lowest
rating--powder monkey--and ascend to the very highest rank--admiral. It
had been done before, in the separate cases of Benbow and Hopson, and
there was no reason why it shouldn't happen again. A powder monkey was
so called because his job in manning the guns was to run from time to
time to fetch more powder whenever it was needed. Since the boys were
small they afforded little target for the enemy's shot, so they tended
to survive an engagement. Just as well, for their job was
indispensable.

In this book three boys join up in the same batch. They have the usual
Kingston-style adventures, but only one of them makes it to the quarter
deck to become a midshipman. This was probably the hardest step for any
of them, but it was his bravery, honesty and good manners that won for
him the necessary attention. At the end of the book there is a pathetic
scene where we meet again the boy who did least well. This is a good
and enjoyable read or listen, taking about twelve and three quarter
hours.

________________________________________________________________________

FROM POWDER MONKEY TO ADMIRAL; A STORY OF NAVAL ADVENTURE, BY W.H.G.
KINGSTON.

Introduction.

A book for boys by W.H.G. Kingston needs no introduction. Yet a few
things may be said about the origin and the purpose of this story.

When the _Boys' Own Paper_ was first started, Mr Kingston, who showed
deep interes