Two families vie for power in mercantile 18th-century Salem. Sea Tigers and Merchants, the second book in Sandra Wagner-Wright’s Salem Stories series, returns to a world of treacherous storms, tantalizing wealth, and the demands of high society on its children.
Elias Hasket Derby, Sr. has kept his promise to his wife Eliza—they rule Salem. Hasket’s merchant ships bring in great fortune, while Eliza holds court as the most influential woman in the city’s social spheres. And their ambitions have grown to meet their station. Hasket launches his riskiest endeavor—the Grand Turk, a ship so massive she’s nearly too heavy to be pulled out of the docks. Meanwhile Eliza, snubbed by George Washington’s stay at another family’s mansion, insists they build a house so grand it will put all others to shame.
Such success, of course, draws the envious eye of Hasket’s competitor.
The Crowninshield family has an uphill battle before them. The patriarch, George, Sr., is unable to employ all his own sons as captains of his small fleet—leaving them to work for their uncle Hasket. But George shares Hasket’s ambition. With the support of his wife, Hasket’s sister Mary, he builds greater ships of his own. If only he could get his eldest sons to follow his wishes, all his goals would fall into place.
But the pressures of the Crowninshield family weigh heavy on its sons, Geordie and Edward.
Geordie throws himself eagerly upon the waves to travel far from home. When he does walk the shore of Salem, he spends his nights at Ship Tavern, where he takes an interest in the newly arrived barmaid, Lizzie Rowell.
Edward had all but left the family years ago, moving away from Salem and marrying into a fishing family of much simpler means. But escaping the control of a man like George Crowninshield isn’t so easy, even if serving on one of his ships puts him in serious danger. Duty to family is of the utmost importance in Crowninshield’s world.
From the wealthiest merchant to an overworked barmaid, everyone must decide what they’re willing to risk for a better life.
Lizzie Rowell risks her aunt’s fury, and the loss of her home and occupation, for the affection of Geordie Crowninshield. And when an unexpected complication arises between them, Lizzie finds herself at the mercy of those with more wealth and power than she could ever hope to touch.
Wagner-Wright imbues Salem with authentic life, drawing readers into the last decade of the 18th century.
Sensory descriptions flow in the cool sea air, carrying the smell of bridal fruitcakes and bitter hull-sealing pitch. We see the finery of wealthy dress, and the structure of lavish mansions as the characters wait on the shore for their far off dreams to come true.
Moments of hardship and pain punctuate the seafaring journeys, reminding readers of just how difficult it was to run a ship in days past, and why the goods they carried were so valuable. The captains have to handle the material needs of a great wooden vessel and its crew, while dealing with ever-shifting markets and unstable—or even hostile—foreign governments.
Readers get a view into the complexities of trade in the early days of the United States. Without a strong navy backing them, these American merchants have to tread carefully around both pirates and privateers. We also act as witness to the growing social world in the burgeoning country, with historical figures like George Washington playing his part as a living fixture of high society. Eliza rants about his visit upstaging her daughter’s wedding, while bemoaning his choice of residence.
Sea Tigers & Merchants maintains its accurate image of life in Salem with clearly focused research and a deep fascination for the historical setting.
Such a complex time in history could be difficult to grasp, but Wagner-Wright keeps the story clear and well-paced. She uses her grasp of the setting to carefully guide readers through the precarious world of trade and sailing in Early American history. By providing enough context for unfamiliar details, she prevents readers from missing key notes in the story. Which is especially impressive with such a large cast of characters.
Family legacy shapes this cast of characters, defining every relationship they have.
The new and old generation alike must make personal sacrifices for the sake of their family and reputation. Some begin to crack under that pressure, like Elias, Hasket’s heir, whose penchant for gambling leads him into mounting debt.
Family and business become ever more complicated as they intersect. Hasket is not only George’s greatest rival, but also his brother-in-law. He employs his nephews as captains, despite knowing their father’s ambition is to topple him and his growing business empire. Even marriage can’t soothe these strained bonds completely. A person’s very attendance to their loved one’s wedding carries heavy implications.
Stepping between the perspectives of its ensemble, Sea Tigers & Merchants gives a rich view of these characters’ inner lives.
Their personalities shine through dialogue and thought. Each person has a unique understanding of the world, prompting readers to consider deeply what they think about the figures of this story. Although mistakes abound driven by selfishness, fear, or unrelenting pressure, it’s easy to empathize with everyone’s particular struggles.
Captain Nathaniel “Nath” Silsbee stands out early on. Not a member of either powerful house, his own family has fallen on hard times, and it’s only by succeeding on the sea that he has any chance to saving his mother and siblings. He perseveres through misfortune, giving his voyages a gripping importance.
As we see these characters grow through the years, a universal need becomes clear. Everyone seeks to follow their inner compass and yet be understood by those around them.
Whether a character knows exactly what they want in life, or is in ways a stranger to themselves, they yearn for connection beyond the practical demands of power and wealth. This theme is never more pressing than in the question of marriage. The hope for a true partner shines on the horizon, but all could be lost by a person’s conflicts with their place in society, be it on land or sea.
For some, the sea is a tool of commerce, a treacherous but bountiful place to build their fortune. For others, it tethers itself to the soul as a deep connection from which they cannot drift away.
Each time someone sets out to sea, there’s no guarantee they’ll return. For those with a family, they risk leaving them behind without the means to support themselves. But for captains, especially those with shares in the ship or cargo, the reward is enough wealth to build an entire life. Readers will feel the desire and apprehension of these seafarers, while getting to see the myriad ways fortune can ebb and flow.
But even if someone makes their fortune and comes to shore for good, their heart might linger forever on the waves. That life creates a distance between people. Wagner-Wright takes the time to explore in detail how the sea shapes each character’s view of themselves, and their connections back home.
With the next generation starting households of their own, this series is poised to continue its expansive saga.
Sea Tigers & Merchants concludes with exciting steps laid out before many of the characters, setting up the next part of the tale. Historical fiction readers will find a complex and satisfying tale in Sandra Wagner-Wright’s Salem Stories series.
Read the review for book one in the Salem Stories, Ambition, Arrogance, and Pride here!
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