Longshoreman

Growing up in the early part of the 20th century, the author shunned the stable life he could have had if he had taken over his father's drapery business. Instead he headed down to Dorset, purchased a boat and set up a business as a longshoreman, renting his boat to fishermen. During his life it is estimated that he spent 19,000 days fishing and caught 1,390,000 fish. In Benjamin Pond's memoirs he describes the harsh life before the existence of the welfare state and how beach combing assisted his poor income. He recounts his journeys of sailing around the coast of Hampshire and Dorset, of the changing conditions and weather and of his part in salvaging and rescuing other stricken craft piloted by less able people. Alongside he provides anecdotes and tales of the people and characters that he once knew. This is a warm and charming autobiography that will transport the reader back in time, experiencing the unusual and carefree life of the author and his surrounding environment.

ISBN 1857566645   DEWEY edition DC22 ISBN13 9781857566642 (What's this?)   Pages 178 Publisher Janus Publishing Co   Published in London Imprint Janus Publishing Co   Height (mm) 210 Format Hardback   Width (mm) 145 Publication date 30 Jan 2009   Academic level General DEWEY 639.2092

Ben Pond's book, Longshoreman, recounts his many adventures during this varied career and reveals him as a natural story-teller. His knowledge of and love for the Purbeck heathland between the wards shine through as he vividly evokes that place and that time. It makes for a fascinating story, well told. - Hamish Murray, Dorset Life.

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