Many Voyages in Strange Crafts
A Memoir
by Captain William Rodick

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Young William Rodick was determined to go to sea, like his sea captain father. Even though his father warned him against it, William apprenticed with a merchant marine and boarded his first ship in Liverpool, England, at the age of fourteen. This began a life spent working at sea, travelling around the world and having seafaring adventures, until William’s retirement at the age of eighty in 1931. His voyages were often perilous, with storms, near-drownings, illness, physical violence, and encounters with many eccentric and interesting seamen and passengers. Many Voyages in Strange Crafts is Captain William Rodick’s firsthand account of life at sea at the turn of the twentieth century. He shares the struggles of a young apprentice in a harsh world, where boys were expected to quickly become men, and a view of the world in a time now past. He includes a wealth of information about marine history, the Scottish shipbuilding industry, and the dredging and creation of the Australian harbours. Captain Rodick also served in the Great War, and for his difficult and hazardous wartime duties, he received the Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire medal. In his own words, Captain Rodick had “many voyages in strange crafts.”

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Captain William Rodick, O.B.E., was originally from Scotland but spent most of his life at sea. He was married and had a family, who travelled with him to stay for periods of time at various ports. After his retirement, Captain Rodick was encouraged by friends to write his memoirs. Shortly after completing his manuscript, he became ill and sadly passed away nine weeks later. The manuscript was entrusted to his daughter, Edith, and passed down through three generations of women until the time was right to tell William’s story. Contributing writers and editors are Captain Rodick’s great-granddaughters, Donna Herringer and Lindsey Pagnucco. Design editor is Natalie Whitmey, Lindsey’s daughter, and Captain Rodick’s great-great granddaughter. Having been raised on their family’s stories, all three women developed a keen interest in the family history. Upon reading William’s manuscript, they learned more about their family and encountered a few surprises. Donna is the co-owner of a production company. She lives with her husband, Steve, and their cat, Hank, in White Rock, British Columbia. Lindsey is a retired librarian; she lives with her husband, Rob, and their cat, Kaeli, in Richmond, British Columbia. Natalie is a graphic designer and busy mom of two. She lives in White Rock with her husband, David, and two young daughters.

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Contributors

Author

Captain William Rodick

Editor

Donna Herringer

Editor

Lindsey Pagnucco

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