Two Years Before the Mast

Richard Henry Dana referred to this book as "a voice from the sea." It is a book that influenced Conrad and Melville, and it has become a maritime classic that has inflicted legions of men with a passion for the sea.

Dana, a law student turned sailor for health reasons, sailed in 1834 on the brig Pilgrim for a voyage from Boston around Cape Horn to California. (Hence Dana Point was named). Drawing from his journals, Two Years Before the Mast gives a vivid and detailed acco…