The Diary of Nathaniel Coffin

About the Book

The story begins in the year 1819 when Nathaniel Coffin turns sixteen years, shortly after the tragic deaths of his parents and nine-year-old sister Christiana. Life became even more difficult after he was adopted by an alcoholic aunt named May Nickerson. Coincidentally, it was also the height of the sperm whale industry. His childhood wish to work on a whaling ship became all-consuming. Conflict soon arose after just six weeks at sea—the result of a senseless harpoon strike that took the life of Nathan’s close friend and shipmate, Billy McGiven. Ostracized by his captain and crew, the offender, Duncan Albury, was set ashore. Ruthless and mean-spirited by nature, Albury found another ship, became its pirate captain, and orchestrated his revenge, which culminated on a secluded beach in Port Royal, Jamaica, setting the stage for a bloody and poignant battle. The odds are thirty to two. Do Nathan and Blackjack survive?

About the Author

Steve Benson was born in St Paul, Minnesota and went to college in Minneapolis. He earned teaching degrees from the University of Minnesota and Mankato State College. He won a letter at the University of Minnesota in gymnastics and started as goalie on the soccer team for one season. After a two-year stint employed at Marcy Open School in South East Minneapolis, he was terminated: a victim of minority imbalance. His carpentry skills and love of adventure then lured him to Miami Florida, and shortly thereafter, was hired by an entrepreneur to accompany a team to South America to restore and convert a cargo ship. The vessel went on to make history as Ecuador’s first flagship; the refurbished tour vessel then began visiting the Galapagos Islands. Now retired and married, the x carpenter/cabinet maker lives in Miami Florida with his wife Donnis, and their golden retriever, Whiskey. He is an avid cook, fisherman, and a single digit golfer. This is Benson’s second book and first pure fiction.