This memoir by a British seaman who fought in the War of 1812 provides valuable insights into the history of that war, illuminates the experience of the forecastle in the age of the fighting sail, and tells the story of an interesting life. Leech began his career at sea at the age of 12, worked as a "powder monkey" at the age of 14 on the Macedonian during the War of 1812, was taken into Boston as a prisoner of war, and escaped to live in America.