This book details the experiences of Charles Norhoff's during his circumnavigation as a ship's boy sailing on the 74-gun USS Columbus from 1845 to 1848. Norhoff tells the insightful tale of his adventures to Java, China, Japan and Honolulu whilst under the command of Commodore James Biddle, culminating in an excellent account of a seaman¿s life aboard one of the largest Navy warships of the time. Exciting and informative, this highly readable book is a must-have for fans of nautical literature and collectors of Norhoff¿s work. Originally published in 1856, this scarce classic is republished here with an introductory biography of the author.