A PENRHYNDEUDRAETH man has helped create a book chronicling the highs and lows of life on the ocean waves in the 1900s.

Recollections of an Unsuccessful Seaman has been written by Scotsman Leonard Noake, but edited by Captain David Creamer and is a poignant portrayal of life in the 1900s, at sea and ashore.

Captain Creamer has penned his own successful books, Rats, Rust and Two Old Ladies and Oriental Endeavour, has turned his hand to editor for this nautical memoir.

Born in 1887, George Leonard Noake joined the nautical training establishment, HMS Conway, in 1903. He then served an apprenticeship at sea until 1908 when his detailed memoirs commence, sailing as a second officer in the European/West African trade.

After going ashore to work on a farm between 1913 and 1915, he returned to the mercantile marine in 1915 during the First World War to sail in a number of ships carrying horses, grain and coal. He survived not only being torpedoed in the English Channel, but also making 112 trips between England and Europe on a ship carrying war materials.

Subsequently joining one of the largest tankers in the world, he endured a hazardous passage without a naval escort through the Channel to Rosyth to deliver safely the precious oil cargo before hostilities ended.

The narrative of his wartime experiences is both harrowing and humorous.

The last chapter of the book has been published without correction or editing allowing readers to make their own judgement of Len, his heartfelt style of writing and passionately held beliefs.

See this week’s north editions for the full story, in shops and online now