The Kedge Anchor; or, Young Sailors' Assistant (Dover Maritime)

Upon its mid-19th-century publication, this book became the Bible of U.S. sailors. Its no-nonsense prose gives specific instructions for knotting and rigging, blacking the guns, and stationing the crew to dealing with the direst emergencies. Enhanced with 70 rare engravings, a glossary of sea terms, and 100 pages of useful tables.