The Crew of the Water Wagtail: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Crew of the Water Wagtail: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Crew of the Water Wagtail is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael) (1825–1894).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Crew of the Water Wagtail" by R. M. Ballantyne is a historical adventure novel written in the late 19th century. The story follows a group of sailors embarking on a journey to Norway in the 16th century, highlighting the exploits of the main characters, Paul Burns and his devoted friend Oliver Trench, the skipper's son. As the voyage unfolds, they encounter a series of tumultuous challenges, including mutiny and shipwreck, that lead them into a new world of exploration and survival. At the start of the narrative, the crew of the Water Wagtail sets sail on what seems to be an ordinary expedition, but their fates are quickly altered when they face a violent squall that wreaks havoc on their ship. In the unfolding chaos, mutiny develops among the crew, led by Big Swinton, temporarily capturing the captain and his son, along with Burns. Ultimately, they are cast away on an uncharted island, pointing toward a larger tale of adventure and the struggle for survival in an unknown land, filled with both dangers and opportunities. As Paul and Oliver demonstrate bravery and ingenuity, the opening chapters set in motion the themes of loyalty, courage, and the quest for discovery.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Crew of the Water Wagtail
- Author credits: Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael) (1825–1894)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- British -- Newfoundland and Labrador -- Juvenile fiction
- Castaways -- Juvenile fiction
- Christian life -- Juvenile fiction
- Mutiny -- Juvenile fiction
- Newfoundland and Labrador -- Juvenile fiction
- Sailors -- Juvenile fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Adventure
- Category: British Literature
- Category: Historical Novels
- Category: Novels
- Children's Fiction
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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.


