Posted by Hugh on June 07, 1998 at 20:14:14:
Christina Hardyment proves that Ransome had read 'The Swan and her Crew' by George Christopher Davies. The characters in the book certainly have some similarities to the Death and Glories. The story concerns three Norfolk boys who build their own boat and have various adventures in it. Unfortunately I found it virtually unreadable, being highly didactic and consequently very boring (Ransome is certainly didactic, but you never notice it!).
If anyone else has been disappointed by Davies, don't give up on him. I found a wonderful, entertaining book by him called 'Norfolk Broads and Rivers' (c.1880). I would like to prove that Ransome had this book in his library.