Part 3/10:
On the eve of his 18th birthday, driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and adventure, Pete approached his father to ask for permission to join the East India fleet. His father reacted with fear and disagreement, citing stories of sailors lost at sea. Despite his father’s discouragement and the harsh reality of the profession, Pete pressed on, convinced he would return with substantial wealth that would alleviate his family’s debts.