This amusing and often moving book consists of 59 short tales about real-life events at sea: The amorous captain who showed chosen women passengers the stars after midnight; the zoo-bound warthog who escaped; the good and bad behavior of ships' crews at times of disaster; the alcoholic ship's doctor who feared having to perform an operation on the high seas; the albatross who followed the ship for three days; the eagle who landed on the wing of the bridge; the ship's dartboard that was bartered for sex. These are among the true stories of love and liaisons, risks and dangers, events funny, sad, memorable, and informative that abound in this absorbing collection of anecdotes.