Decatur and Somers: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Decatur and Somers: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

Decatur and Somers is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Seawell, Molly Elliot (1860–1916).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Decatur and Somers" by Molly Elliot Seawell is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The book revolves around two young naval officers, Stephen Decatur and Dick Somers, during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, exploring their camaraderie, adventures in military service, and encounters with piracy during the early years of the United States Navy. The story captures the youthful ambition and spirit of these characters, set against the backdrop of maritime conflict. At the start of the novel, readers are introduced to the tranquil setting of Delaware Bay in June 1798, where the frigate "United States," nicknamed "Old Wagoner," is preparing for a significant naval engagement. The narrative introduces Decatur and Somers as midshipmen aboard this ship, highlighting their contrasting personalities—Decatur's boldness and Somers's quiet reliability. Their friendship is a central theme as they navigate their initial experiences in naval training, face the challenges of “running” by their peers, and engage in a fight that unexpectedly earns Somers respect among his messmates. The opening sets the stage for their adventures, with hints of the naval conflicts ahead, including a looming war with France and encounters with privateers.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Decatur and Somers
- Author credits: Seawell, Molly Elliot (1860–1916)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Decatur, Stephen, 1779-1820 -- Juvenile fiction
- Somers, Richard, 1778-1804 -- Juvenile fiction
- United States -- History -- Tripolitan War, 1801-1805 -- Juvenile fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Adventure
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Historical Novels
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


