Prison Ship: The Adventures of Sam Witchall [Paperback]

`Prepare to have your timbers well and truly shivered ... Patrick O'Brian for kids' --The Scotsman --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

'Prepare to have your timbers well and truly shivered by Paul Dowswell and his naval warfare novels, already hailed as "Patrick O'Brian for kids". With detail that points to extensive research and a plot with more snap than a cat o' nine tails, we join Sam on his journey from terrified "powder monkey" with a gun crew to experienced sailor who knows the ropes.' The Scotsman 'Another splendid book for 11+ boys, with a masterly climax.' The Times

`Enough gore to keep young imaginations occupied ... this will revive the fashion for reading swashbuckling tales'
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Sam fights in a fierce battle against the Danish Fleet, led by none other than Admiral Nelson himself, and against all odds victory is theirs. Peace is declared and Britain's war with most of Northern Europe is over. Sam can go home. But on the journey back, he witnesses a crime, for which he is framed. He is sentenced to death, but at the last minute this sentence is commuted to transportation to Australia. With petty thieves, vicious criminals, women and other children, Sam begins an eight month journey to the other side of the world, and a life of slavery in the harsh Australian interior. He knows that, against all odds, he must escape.

A former senior editor with Usborne Publishing, Paul Dowswell is now a full-time author. He has written many non-fiction titles, two of which were shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award. Powder Monkey, his first novel, was published to huge critical acclaim and was the first book in his wonderful Sam Witchall trilogy. Paul lives in Wolverhampton with his family.