Into a Gale's Full Fury: Stories and Reflections on My Years Sailing in the US Merchant Marine in the 1970s and 1980s

Since humans first traded upon the sea, seafaring has been a lonely and dangerous business, sometimes fraught with such diverse challenges as unhinged crew members, unsafe ships, power-crazed captains, and a violent ocean. This was true in the twentieth century as well. In a fascinating narrative, seasoned master mariner Christopher McMahon offers true depictions of life aboard some of the more than twenty merchant ships he sailed on that were engaged in worldwide trade during the 1970s and 1980s. With candid detail, McMahon paints a vivid picture of life at sea while sharing tales about the ships and crews supporting the growth of a global economy. His stories, sometimes shocking but always entertaining, reflect the reality of seafaring in decades past while also pointing to the magic and mystery of the sea and to the enchantment that has always drawn humans to sailing the oceans of the world. Throughout his accounts, McMahon shines an important light on the critical role the merchant marine plays in the strategic and economic health of America. Into a Gale's Full Fury shares a glimpse into life at sea on merchant ships in the later part of the 20th century with tales of raging storms, bizarre captains and crews, piracy, and the magic of the sea.