Code by Frank Richardson Pierce

"Code" by Frank Richardson Pierce is a maritime story published in the late 1920s. This piece of fiction explores themes related to the code of ethics among sailors, focusing on the tension between legality and moral duty. The narrative revolves around the harrowing experiences of Captain McNulty and his crew aboard the rum-running ship, the "Crayton", as they navigate a storm-laden Pacific coastline while trying to evade the Coast Guard. The plot thickens when McNulty and his crew decide to aid a distressed sailor from another vessel caught in the storm while balancing the risk of crossing the legal twelve-mile limit. Pritt, the cargo owner, pushes for a cautious approach, fearing repercussions if they are caught by the Coast Guard. However, McNulty chooses to adhere to the sailor's code of saving lives, prioritizing human compassion over legal concerns. This decision leads them into further peril as they seek shelter while facing the brunt of the storm, underscoring a tale of duty, camaraderie, and the moral dilemmas faced at sea. The story culminates with the coast guard's involvement, leaving the reader to ponder the true cost of unyielding adherence to the code of the sea amidst the harrowing backdrop of maritime challenges. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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About this eBook

Author Pierce, Frank Richardson, 1881-1966
Title Code
Original Publication New York: Doubleday, Doran & Company, Inc., 1929.
Series Title Produced from the February 10, 1929 issue of Short Stories Magazine.
Credits Roger Frank and Sue Clark
Reading Level Reading ease score: 85.1 (6th grade). Easy to read.
Language English
LoC Class PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
Subject Short stories
Subject Sea stories
Subject Ship captains -- Fiction
Subject Smugglers -- Fiction
Category Text
eBook-No. 75019
Release Date
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
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