When Norman Freeman published Seaspray and Whiskey; Reminiscences of a Tramp Ship Voyage six years ago it had a modest success, but it has now taken off in the US and was the subject of a glowing review in the Boston Sunday Globe earlier this month. The reviewer said she read it in "one enthralled sitting" and found the powers of description stunning.
Freeman is an account executive with Pat Heneghan PR in Dublin and Seaspray and Whiskey tells the story of his voyage as a young radio officer on board the Allenwell from Liverpool to New Orleans and Houston in 1960. The ship was carrying a cargo of Scotch whisky and 960 bottles disappeared during what turned into a transatlantic binge, much to the surprise of the young teetotal radio officer. After the book was remaindered in Ireland, an independent book dealer brought it to the Chicago Book Fair where it was taken up by publishers, A Common Reader, in whose catalogue it now has pride of place.
Freeman says he is delighted his story "didn't die" but has a new lease of life. He has written two books since - Classic Hurling Matches volumes 1 and 2 - and is now "struggling" with a book on self-management.