A maritime adventure memoir that follows a crew of misfits hired to sail an 18th-century warship 5,000 miles to HollywoodIn the late 1990s, Patrick O'Brian's multimillion-copy-selling historical novel series-the Aubrey-Maturin series, which was set during the Napoleonic Wars-seemed destined for film. With Russell Crowe as Jack Aubrey and Paul Bettany as Stephen Maturin, the production only needed a ship that could stand in for Lucky Jack's HMS Surprise, with historical accuracy paramount. The filmmakers found the Rose, a replica of an 18th-century ship that would work perfectly. Only there was one problem: the Rose was in Newport, Rhode Island, not in Southern California, where they would be filming. Enter a ragtag crew of thirty oddballs who stepped up for the task, including Will Sofrin, at the time a 21-year-old wooden-boat builder and yacht racer, who joined as the ship's carpenter.All Hands on Deck is Sofrin's memoir of the epic adventure delivering the Rose to Hollywood. It's a story of reinvention, of hard work on the high seas, of love, and of survival. The Rose was an example of the most cutting-edge technology of her era, but in the 21st century, barely anyone had experience sailing it. The crew effectively went back in time, brought to life the old ways of a forgotten world, and barely lived to tell the tale. Just a few days in, a terrifying hurricane-strength storm nearly sank the Rose, and later, a rogue wave caused a nearly fatal dismasting. And the ups and downs weren't limited to the waves-with the crew split into factions, making peace between warring camps became necessary, too, as did avoiding pirates and braving the temptations of shore leave. All Hands on Deck is a gripping story of an unforgettable journey and a must-read for fans who adore O'Brian's novels and the dramatic film adaptation of Master and Commander.
For readers drawn to true stories of adventure, teamwork, and survival at sea, All Hands on Deck offers a gripping, firsthand look at a journey where the only way forward was to keep sailing.
In the late 1990s, Hollywood needed a ship-and found itself with a problem. The Rose, a full-scale replica of an eighteenth-century warship, was sitting in Newport, Rhode Island. Filming for Master and Commander was set thousands of miles away on the West Coast. The only solution: sail it there.
In All Hands on Deck, Will Sofrin takes readers aboard that unlikely journey, joining a crew of thirty misfits tasked with delivering a historic tall ship across two oceans and through some of the most treacherous waters on earth. What begins as a job quickly becomes something far more demanding-and far more dangerous.
Facing hurricane-force storms, equipment failures, and a ship few people knew how to operate, the crew is forced to relearn the skills of another era while navigating the realities of the modern world. Along the way, personality clashes, shifting alliances, and the pressures of constant risk test not only their seamanship, but their ability to work-and survive-together.
Blending immersive storytelling with rich maritime detail, Sofrin brings to life both the physical experience of sailing a tall ship and the human drama that unfolds onboard. The result is a vivid, accessible account of adventure, resilience, and what it takes to see a seemingly impossible mission through.
"Thrilling. This is an adventure story of the highest order." -Nathaniel Philbrick, author of the National Book Award-winning In the Heart of the Sea and Mayflower
|
Will Sofrin is a master shipwright, former professional sailor, and licensed captain who has logged more than 30,000 miles at sea. He has taught at MIT and built boats for clients including Billy Joel and Estée Lauder. His writing has appeared in leading maritime publications, and he continues to sail and explore the California coast. All Hands on Deck is his first book.
|
