1987 "First Edition" stated on copyright page; autographed by John Paul Barrett on front endpaper; "Harrowing Tales of Mystery, Death, Hardship and Humor From the North Pacific"; Gaff Press publishers, Astoria, Oregon; smaller cloth-bound hardboard; very interesting binding - see pics; inside boards show glue streaks from original manufacturing; very good condition with unmarked pages; unusual binding and printing; no dust jacket.
 
Introduction -
Some say dolphins are the souls of dead sailors lost at sea...but I think that's a bit optimistic...seagulls, maybe.  There can hardly be enough dolphins to go around.
 
In the late seventies and early eighties I worked aboard 18 west coast commercial fishing boats -- including my own 32-foot, 1902-vintage, double-ended salmon troller, F/V Nerka.  During that time I came to know and respect an extraordinary "dying breed" of men who conquer fear and face danger and death every working day; and who earn their pay under some of the worst conditions imaginable.
 
...I quite fishing in 1981...but I didn't sober up until 1987.