In 1844, when barely 14, Charles Nordhoff managed to talk his way into the U.S. Navy. He was better educated than most of his fellow seamen, and was well equipped to describe what became a three-year around-the-world adventure. He was lucky in his ship, USS <i>Columbus</i>, a large 74-gun ship of the line on a diplomatic mission to China, and then to Japan, in an abortive attempt to open the latter to American trade. Nordhoff visited many countries of south-east Asia and South America, before finally returning to Norfolk, Virginia, having crossed the Equator six times.