The Midnight Folk by John Masefield

He found work as a bar hand but eventually secured employment at a carpet factory. But Masefield had other plans: he deserted ship vowing “to be a writer, come what might.”At seventeen Masefield was living as a vagrant in America. Arrangements were then made for him to join another ship in New York. Masefield’s apprenticeship was disastrous-he was classified as a Distressed British Seaman after a voyage around Cape Horn-and he soon left the ship. After being orphaned at an early age, he was sent to sea aboard the school-ship HMS Conway in preparation for a naval career. John Masefield (1878-1967) was born in Herefordshire, England.