The 290

Summary: This story is about a man named William Bromley who is an architect, and recently built a ship named the 290 that he fell in love with at the very beginning. Unexpectedly, on the opening day for the 290, it was taken over, and brought out to sea. William decided to sail with the crew, and the trip was on! Throughout the book, William and the other sailors on the 290 are sailing about the sea, and taking over different countries ships. During the time out at sea, William discovers that since he had left home many years ago, his father had been working as a slave trader in Port-au-Prince. He deceived the men there into thinking he had spoken with his father's partner and stowed away 250 slaves on his ship. He then left them in the Canary Islands so that they could live a happy life without being given orders. This book has action and sorrow, but to find out what happens next, you need to get this book, and read it.

This book told the story of the CSS Alabama and the USS Kearsarge. I read it growing up and have never been able to find it since. If you can find it, read it--it is a good read and a good history lesson on the naval tactics employed during the Civil War.