• A Voice from the Main Deck

  • Being a Record of the Thirty Years' Adventures of Samuel Leech
  • By: Samuel Leech
  • Narrated by: Nigel Patterson
  • Length: 7 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (23 ratings)

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.
A Voice from the Main Deck  By  cover art

A Voice from the Main Deck

By: Samuel Leech
Narrated by: Nigel Patterson
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.49

Buy for $21.49

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

"I heard the shot strike the sides of our ship; the whole scene grew indescribably confused and horrible; it was like some awfully tremendous thunder-storm, whose deafening roar is attended by incessant streaks of lightning, carrying death in every flash and strewing the ground with the victims of its wrath: only, in our case, the scene was rendered more horrible than that, by the presence of torrents of blood which dyed our decks."

This was Samuel Leech's first experience of naval warfare. He was a powder monkey aboard the HMS Macedonian when it was attacked forced to strike its colors by the USS United States in the war of 1812.

Leech provides a fascinating account of life as a sailor in the War of 1812 and through early 19th century. It is a remarkable account of a man who, until the conflict with the USS United States, had fought British Navy but after that battle changed allegiance to the United States and continued sailing with her navy for a further four years. He provides brilliant insight into the contrasts that he saw between the US Navy and the British Navy during this time.

It is a vivid account of life at sea in the early 19th century and a perfect addition to any sailor's library.

Public Domain (P)2018 Tantor
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about A Voice from the Main Deck

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    12
  • 4 Stars
    4
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    17
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    13
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

personal account of jolly rolling tare.

While for some it will be boring I Love personal history
This jolly rolling tare had a very active life.
For me a great read.




.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent historical account

First hand accounts fascinate me. This is a detailed first hand account of a sailor...it includes many details often overlooked and reads so pleasantly that it feels as though you sitting down to coffee with the author. I highly recommend this reading.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A rewarding listen ,,

,,,,,Hi,,,, yes indeed, a grand listen , simple , factual , the life at sea , and land of a young English boy , with a fascinating finish,,, Ritchie,

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Catalogue

No Patrick O’Brian, this reads more like a catalogue than an adventurous tale of sea faring. No overarching plot. Here’s the end of my life, I converted to devout Methodism, thank goodness the Lord saw fit to have me land in America. The end.

Borderline recommendation.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

More religion than sailing

Samuel Leech spent only a few years as a sailor and the rest living on land. The interesting portion is his short time serving on the Macedonian. Much of this part of the narrative has been quoted often in other histories of the War of 1812.

Leech spends pages of his book discussing religion and the perils of drink. Don't expect thirty years worth of sea stories.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful