Episodes

  • Episode 15: He visits Malaga, Alicante, Carthagena, and Newry
    Dec 9 2024

    After leaving Philadelphia for the final time, Samuel sails to Spain and Portugal where a war has broken out between the Spanish and the Moors. During his time here, Samuel recounts some of the more interesting encounters he had with locals, including a naive trip up a mountain which was a known hide-out for thieves and murderers.

    If you want to support this project and more like it, consider buying me a coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/goodourfirstcatchoftheday

    Interested in true history stories? This podcast is for you! The Journal of Samuel Kelly is a detailed diary kept by an 18th century sailor. It was discovered approximately 100 years after his death. The book is out of print with its final printing occurring around 1925 by the Fredrick A Stokes company.

    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • Episode 14: One final time in Philadelphia
    Dec 6 2024

    Samuel sails to Philadelphia little knowing it would be his last time there. While there he meets an eccentric fellow called "the absent man" and spends some time at Vauxhall Gardens.

    If you want to support this project and more like it, consider buying me a coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/goodourfirstcatchoftheday

    Show More Show Less
    17 mins
  • Episode 13: A dangerous winter passage
    Nov 29 2024

    After a run-in with the press gangs, Samuel embarks to America with a load of salt. The passage across the Atlantic quickly deteriorates and contrary winds slow progress to a crawl and storms badly damage the ship. Winter had set in on the eastern coast of America by the time Samuel and the crew arrived making for a cold entry into New York.

    If you want to support this project and more like it, consider buying me a coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/goodourfirstcatchoftheday

    Interested in true history stories? This podcast is for you! The Journal of Samuel Kelly is a detailed diary kept by an 18th century sailor. It was discovered approximately 100 years after his death. The book is out of print with its final printing occurring around 1925 by the Fredrick A Stokes company.

    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • Episode 12: Sailor hunting in Philadelphia
    Nov 25 2024

    While procuring salt in Barcelona, Samuel is treated with great hospitality from the inhabitants whose predominantly Catholic population and culture are often amusing to Samuel. From there, Samuel sails to America where most of his crew desert the ship leaving Samuel to find replacements.

    If you want to support this project and more like it, consider buying me a coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/goodourfirstcatchoftheday

    Interested in true history stories? This podcast is for you! The Journal of Samuel Kelly is a detailed diary kept by an 18th century sailor. It was discovered approximately 100 years after his death. The book is out of print with its final printing occurring around 1925 by the Fredrick A Stokes company.

    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • Episode 11: The Thames freezes over
    Nov 22 2024

    Samuel is forced to keep law and order aboard a ship whose captain becomes to familiar with the crew. After a leaky trip across the Atlantic with lazy sailors, the ship, along with many others, is frozen tight in the Thames river.

    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
  • Episode 10: French rats and Sicilian plague
    Nov 18 2024

    Samuel begins the coastal trade in earnest when he sails to Marseilles and encounters different cultures and sights, not altogether pleasing to him. In Sicily, Samuel relates the crew's hesitation as the area had been decimated by the Plague. After strong weather, the ship finally departs for America.

    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
  • Episode 9: He joins the coastal trade
    Nov 15 2024

    After leaving the packet service in Great Britain, Samuel spends time visiting his relatives. His cousin asks him to join as mate on a ship that's being built which Samuel accepts. After a perilous trek to Bristol, Samuel finds the ship not even half-completed.


    If you want to support this project and more like it, consider buying me a coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/goodourfirstcatchoftheday

    Interested in true history stories? This podcast is for you! The Journal of Samuel Kelly is a detailed diary kept by an 18th century sailor. It was discovered approximately 100 years after his death. The book is out of print with its final printing occurring around 1925 by the Fredrick A Stokes company.

    Show More Show Less
    17 mins
  • Episode 8: The cold winds of the north Atlantic
    Nov 11 2024

    Still in Florida, the misery of the weather and animosity with the Spaniards begins to take a toll. With the orders to return to Great Britain finally heard, the ship departs. But little food is set aside for the crew which causes tension between the crew and the captain, leading to a miserable trek across the Atlantic.

    If you want to support this project and more like it, consider buying me a coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/goodourfirstcatchoftheday

    Interested in true history stories? This podcast is for you! The Journal of Samuel Kelly is a detailed diary kept by an 18th century sailor. It was discovered approximately 100 years after his death. The book is out of print with its final printing occurring around 1925 by the Fredrick A Stokes company.

    Show More Show Less
    19 mins