Sean McVay: Troubles from His Love of the Sea

By Larry Elston

About the Book
Galway, Ireland, 1670: Ten-year-old Sean McVay would never guess that his infatuation with sailing and the sea would take him on a journey that no boy should have to go on.
After a shipwreck that causes him to be sent out to sea alone on a dinghy, young Sean comes to an uninhabited island—or at least, it seems to be uninhabited. Sean will soon learn he has to use his wit and the help of strangers to survive and learn to make his way through life in the New World.

About the Author
Larry Elston is an Indiana native and Vietnam era veteran who decided to explore his love of writing during his retirement.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Company
• Release date: May 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9798888125434

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The contents of this work, including, but not limited to, the accuracy of events, people, and places depicted; opinions expressed; permission to use previously published materials included; and any advice given or actions advocated are solely the responsibility of the author, who assumes all liability for said work and indemnifies the publisher against any claims stemming from publication of the work.

All Rights Reserved

Copyright © 2023 by Larry Elston

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Y oung Sean McVay would walk down to the Galway docks almost every day to watch the ships come in and leave. He started going to the docks when he was eight, but that was only with his father. He was now ten, so he was allowed to go there by himself.

It would take him fifteen to twenty minutes to walk there from where he lived, a small farm on the northwest side of town.

He was so fascinated the first time that he went. That every time his father would go he would tag along. It intrigued him even more each time he went.

So now he would sit and listen for the captains to give the command for which sail to unfurl. Then he would see the men hurry to get it untied and dropped, so the wind could fill it. Then the ship would slowly move out of the harbor.

He would hang around the dock until he saw the sun start to get lower in the west. That way he knew that he had plenty of time to get home before dark.

He had only gotten home late one time and he was given a lot more chores to do plus he couldn’t go down to the dock for a week. Shawn knew that from then on he would be home on time.

Sometimes on his way home, he would pretend that he was the captain. He would give the orders and pretend that his men would carry them out.

Sean was so intrigued with the ships and sailing that his curiosity would have him talking to the men and captains when they came off their ship each time they came into port. He wanted to learn everything about what all they did on board ship while they were out at sea.

Most of the men would tell him what went on and what ports they had stopped at on their trip.

The men would call him by his name and Sean got to know most of their names, too.

Sean would meet them when they came off the ship and would walk along with them to the pub. Every once in a while one of them would ask Sean if he wanted to come in and have a pint with them. Sean would tell them that he couldn’t and they all would laugh. Sean knew that they were just joking with him.

There was one captain that could see the interest that Sean had in sailing, so whenever he came into port, he would stop and talk to Sean. He would tell Sean something new each time he saw him. He would also say, Remember this and write this down when you get home, so you can go back to it if you forget. I just might ask you about it sometime.

Captain Darby O’Shay was his name and one time when he got back from a short trip he asked Sean what he had told him the time before.

Sean thought for a moment and he told Captain Darby what it was.

Captain Darby nodded his head in approval and said that he was impressed that he had remembered.

Sean got to where he would bring some paper and something to write with whenever he would go down to the docks. He would write down some of the stuff that the men and other captains would tell him. He would indicate on the paper who had told him, so he would not get it mixed up with what Captain Darby had told him.

Each time a captain would come into port and tell Sean something, that night he would sit at the table and compare it with what Captain Darby had told him. A lot of the time it was the same as what Captain Darby had told him, but Captain Darby would go into more detail.

Sean would also compare what the crew from each ship would tell him. There were a few men from different ships that would give him a more detailed account of what went on.

One afternoon after school Sean went down to the docks and he saw Captain Darby O’Shay coming down the ramp from his ship.

Sean met him at the bottom of the ramp.

Captain Darby, how did your trip go this time? Sean asked.

The water was a little rough south of Spain this time. The rest of the trip went well. We had good weather except for the two days after we left Spain, Captain Darby said. How would you like to go aboard and see my ship?

I sure would like to see it. I have never been on a ship before, Sean said. Will you show me around?

I would be happy to show you around, Captain Darby said.

They went on board and Captain Darby took Sean to each part of the ship. He would tell Sean about each part and what it was used for. He explained what each sail did as they went from the bow to the stern. Captain Darby explained how the wheel steered the ship.

Sean stood behind the wheel and he could just see over the top of it.

It looks like you will have to grow some before I would let you steer my ship, Captain Darby said.

I think so, too, Sean said. I could stand on a small box.

 In rough seas you wouldn’t be able to stay on the box. You will have to grow some more, Captain Darby said.

I guess you are right, Sean said.

When they got to Captain Darby’s cabin, Shawn opened the door and went in. He looked at everything in the room.

Sean turned around and said, One day I am going to be a ship’s captain, just like you Captain Darby.

So you want to be a ship’s captain, Captain Darby said. There is a lot to learn before you can become a captain of a ship. You will have to be able to read the water, the stars and the clouds. You will have to be able to navigate by using one of all of these things. You will also have to be able to do everything the crew does while on board. You will have to study a lot. Listen to what your teacher tells you and what I tell you. Also you will have to go to sea and work with a captain for a few years. Then you will have to find someone that will let you captain a ship for them. That person will want to know who you studied under and they would probably contact me to see how well you did.

Would you teach me, Captain Darby? Sean asked.

How old are you? Captain Darby asked.

I am ten, right now, Sean answered. I will be eleven in four months.

I usually don’t take anybody until they are fourteen or fifteen, Captain Darby said. You have shown me more at your age than some of the fifteen-year-olds have. When you are eleven and if your father agrees, I will start teaching you. There are some things that you could do before you turn eleven. First thing is that, you can show me that you can swim and then you can start telling me the things that I have told you to remember.

Over the next few months whenever Captain Darby was in port, Sean would tell him some of the things that he had told Sean to remember. He showed Captain Darby that he could swim by swimming around his ship twice.

Captain Darby was at sea when Sean turned eleven.

Sean had been talking to his father about becoming a ship’s captain ever since Captain Darby said that he would teach him. Sean told his father that Captain Darby had brought it up about teaching him.

His father would ask him if that is what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. His father would also bring up the fact that he would be away from home for long periods of time.

 Each time Sean would say that it was what he wanted.

His mother also would ask him if becoming a ship’s captain was what he really wanted to do.

Sean’s answer was the same.

Sean would go over all the things Captain Darby had told him to write down and all the stuff that he had written down about the sea.

He would practice by telling his father everything he knew about the sea. He also would tell him all the stuff that Captain Darby had told him to remember. Sean hoped that by doing this it would help him remember everything. He was also hoping that his father would see how much he knew about the sea and the ship, that maybe this would be enough to persuade his father to say yes when Captain Darby asked him if he could teach Sean and take him to sea with him.

Sean spent more time practicing than going down to the dock. There were several days that he didn’t make it down to the dock.

It had been several months since Captain Darby had left for Capetown.

Then one afternoon, after school, when Sean went down to the docks, he saw Captain Darby walking toward his ship.

Hello, Captain Darby, Sean said.

Hello there, Shawn, Captain Darby said.

When did you get back? Sean asked.

I got in early this morning, Captain Darby said. I was on my way back to the ship to see if they had everything unloaded.

Do you care if I walk along with you? Sean asked.

I don’t mind, Captain Darby said. If they have it unloaded, maybe you could take me to talk with your father. You did turn eleven while I was gone, didn’t you?

Yes I did, Sean said.

The crew met Sean and Captain Darby on the dock. They had everything unloaded and the cargo hold cleaned up.

Ok, Sean, it looks like I have time to talk to your father, Captain Darby said.

Sean took him to meet his father, so he could talk to him about Sean becoming a ship’s captain. Maybe Captain Darby could talk him into letting Sean go to sea with him on his next trip.

Captain Darby and Sean’s father talked for some time before his father agreed to Sean going to sea.

They talked for a while longer.

Well, I should be getting back to my ship, Captain Darby said.

I will walk with you, Sean said.

Good. That will give us a chance to talk about your lessons, Captain Darby said. It was good to meet you, Mr. McVay, and I will take good care of Sean when we go to sea.

 I know you will, Captain Darby, and I know that Sean will be a good student, Sean’s father said.

On the way back to the dock, Captain Darby told Sean what he expected him to do.

I will be in port for about a month before I have to make another trip, Captain Darby said. You are to meet me every day after school and I will teach you what you need to know before you leave with me on a trip.

I will be there, Sean said.

One other thing, your father and I agreed that you will not go to sea before you turn twelve, Captain Darby said.

I can live with that, Sean said.

I can find my way to the docks from here, Captain Darby said. You will need to get back home before supper.

Thank you, Captain Darby, Sean said.

Every day Sean would meet Captain Darby at a different place. Sometimes it was on board his ship, someplace along the dock area, at a merchant or at Captain Darby’s place.

Then one day they met at a warehouse along the dock. Captain Darby told Sean that he had to make a trip to France for some cargo to be brought back to London and Galway.

Am I going to make the trip with you? Sean asked.

No, not this trip, Captain Darby said. You are not ready and you haven’t turned twelve yet.

I am pretty close, Sean said. My birthday is only a couple months away.

 Your father and I agreed that you would not go before you turn twelve, Captain Darby said.

I know, Sean said.

I will be back in about a month, Captain Darby said. I am sure you will be ready for the next trip. You have a few more things that you need to show me before I will let you go on a trip.

While Captain Darby was gone, Sean would go over everything that Captain Darby had taught him. He would also go down to the dock and check the water. He would make a note on whether it was high tide or low tide, so he could show Captain Darby he knew how to read the tides. Sean also would sit outside at night looking at the stars when the sky was clear.

To Sean it seemed like forever, but Captain Darby arrived back in Galway with the cargo from France and some from London. It had taken him a little longer than he had expected to make the trip do to the lack of wind.

They started back with the lessons.

Sean showed Captain Darby what he had made to check the tide.

Captain Darby was impressed that Sean had made something to measure the water level at the dock.

It was about two weeks later when Captain Darby told Sean that he was going to make a trip to London.

Am I going this time? I will turn twelve next week, Sean said.

You are going this time, Sean, Captain Darby said. It should only take a couple weeks to make the round trip. You will have a chance to see what goes on aboard the ship while we are at sea. You could also learn a few things about some of the jobs that the crew does to make the ship move across the water.

 When are we leaving? Sean asked.

In three days, Captain Darby said.

Sean helped Captain Darby go over some things for the trip.

I think that is enough for today, Captain Darby said. I will see you tomorrow morning.

I will see you in the morning, Sean said.

Sean didn’t hang around the dock, instead he headed right home after his lesson. He couldn’t wait to tell his family that he was going on a trip with Captain Darby to London.

His mother really didn’t want Sean to go and she tried to talk him out of going on the trip.

He kept telling her that it was only a two-week trip and that he wasn’t going to be gone forever.

All of this made it hard for Sean to leave the morning that Captain Darby was going to set sail for London. He thought that it was only for two weeks and that wasn’t very long. He could do this and his mother could see that he would be safe with Captain Darby.

Sean had only been on board for a short time before they lowered the first sail to move out of the harbor. As the ship moved away from the dock, Sean felt excited and a little scared, because he had never been out on the water very far from land.

Sean would work alongside a different crewman each day to learn what they did.

It didn’t seem like it took them five days to get to London.

They had no more than tied the ship up and they brought the ramp up to the side of the ship. The crew got busy and unloaded what they had brought with them.

 I have to go take care of some business, Captain Darby said. I want you to stay onboard the ship, because where I am going, I wouldn’t feel safe taking you there this time. If you have to get off the ship for any reason, don’t go very far. Sometimes it gets pretty rough around here. I will not be gone for very long. I have to meet somebody for a load to go back to Galway.

Don’t worry, I will stay on board, Sean said. It is a lot busier here than it is in Galway.

It wasn’t very long and Captain Darby was back.

Let’s go get something to eat, Captain Darby said. It will be tomorrow before we start loading.

They headed down the dock and then they made a left turn onto another street. They went into the last building on that block.

Sean, you stay close to me and you will be alright, Captain Darby said.

Sean did what Captain Darby said.

They had almost finished eating when a fight started over in one corner.

 Just sit still, Captain Darby said. I know just about everybody in here.

Aren’t you afraid that the fight will come over here? Sean asked.

I know these people and they know me, Captain Darby said. You are safe sitting here with me.

It only took a few minutes and the fight was getting real close. It got to where they were right in front of them.

Fredrick, Captain Darby hollered.

The fight stopped immediately.

Captain Darby, the man said. How are you doing? I haven’t seen you for a while.

Captain Darby, the other man said. Are you going to be in port long?

I was doing fine for a while, Captain Darby said. Could you take your fight outside?

We just had a misunderstanding, the first man said. Who is the boy with you?

This is Sean McVay, Captain Darby said. He is studying under me.

Glad to meet you, Sean, the two men said in unison.

If you two don’t mind, we would like to finish our meal, Captain Darby said.

Go ahead, Captain Darby, the second man said. We will go back to our table now.

Why did those two stop fighting when you hollered? Sean asked.

I told you that they know me and that I do not put up with fighting, Captain Darby said. Besides I wiped both of them before and they don’t want to fight with me again. This is a good example of how your reputation helps. When you are older and they remember that you were one of my students, they should leave you alone. Let’s finish our meal and get back to the ship. We will have a busy day tomorrow getting everything loaded and heading back for Galway.

Captain Darby paid for their meal and a lot of the men hollered as they headed for the door, See you again one day soon.

Sean and Captain Darby headed back toward the ship.

 Captain Darby, was the place you went to earlier somewhat like the place we just came from? Sean asked.

The place I went to earlier is in an area a little rougher than that, Captain Darby replied. The next time we come to London I will take you along with me. I wasn’t sure you were ready to deal with what goes on there. You handled yourself pretty good tonight and I think you can handle going with me to other places. You will have to learn where these places are and the people can learn how you handle yourself along with how you deal with them.

I know that I have a lot to learn and watching tonight I know that it will take me a long time to get the respect that you have, Sean said.

You see things quicker than the others that I have taken on to teach, Captain Darby said. With that I think you will turn out to be a very good captain. I had a few that I don’t think they ever got the respect part of my teaching. One of the first four lost his ship after his second trip.

Do you know how he lost his ship? Sean asked.

If I remember right, Captain Darby started, I think his crew refused to go on the third trip until the owner brought in a different captain. I heard from a few of his crew that he didn’t treat them very well and he cheated them on their pay.

The men that I worked with on our way here had only good things to say about you and they told me that I should pay close attention to how you conduct yourself with the crew and whoever you deal with, Sean said.

 That is one of the reasons that people ask for me to haul their cargo, Captain Darby said. I also get asked if I have any openings in my crew.

I hope that by the time I get my own ship that I will be like you, Sean said.

I think you will, Captain Darby said. You already see things and I have seen you trying to imitate me. I had to laugh a little, but I was happy that you picked the good things to imitate.

I didn’t think anybody was watching, Sean said as he was blushing.

Some of the members of the crew have told me about it, too, Captain Darby said. They said that you were picking the good things out and if you kept on like that, they would like to work for you.

They came to the ship and went on board. Captain Darby headed for his cabin and Sean headed for where he was bunked.

Get a good night’s rest, because things start happening early in the morning, Captain Darby said.

I will and you do the same, Sean replied.

Sean was up shortly after dawn along with the crew. It wasn’t long after that that they started loading the cargo for Galway.

There was a lot more going back than they brought with them.

Sean wasn’t allowed to handle the cargo, but he was down below watching how they loaded