Posted by Paul on September 26, 2006 at 17:50:13 from 217.144.243.52 user tegan.
I read Peter Duck when I was about 11 years old and I read it in the normal sequence after SA and SD. I do remember at that young age that I was not too impressed with the tale and I longed again to be off on more adventures in the small boats on the lakes of the north. But I have just reread this book again 37 years later and this time I must admit that I really enjoyed it.
Over the last 30 years or so I have done quite a bit of sailing and I am amazed in the book as to Ransome’s detailed knowledge concerning the aspects of sailing Wild Cat down the English Channel and also Swallow in the big swells when rounding the southern shore of Crab Island. His attention to detail in the way he describes the helming of the boats and also the various sailing manoeuvres and rigging of gaff and lug sails is absolutely spot on.