Scampavias From Gibel Tarek To Stamboul

Wise, Henry Augustus; Harry Gringo

C. Scribner, 1857

[Antebellum American Naval Historical Fiction] (VG-/G+) Bound in publisher's blind-tooled, purple cloth. Hardcover. Minor shelf wear, spine faded; few gatherings sprung. Generally clean, crisp, unmarked pages.  3 preliminary leaves, ix-xii, 13-362 pages.  Wood-engraved text illustrations. Signature of A.R. Kip, Canton. From the introduction: "This volume contains a light record of a cruise on board a Ship of War in the Mediterranean. The title of " Scampavias," was taken from the name given to the clipper dispatch vessels, used by the Knights of Malta in the olden time, and means literally Runaways."  

Wise was a US navy officer and author, writing under the pseudonym "Harry Gringo".  He served in the Seminole, Mexican-American, and Civil Wars (Union).  Note: This volume was sold by Swann's Auction in 2000 (Sale 1876).