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Arts & Entertainment

Long Island Maritime Museum Hosts Book Signing of Fire Island

First-time novelist John J. Stevens shares writing experience with the community.

On Saturday, Jan. 15, a crowd drew at the to hear new novelist John J. Stevens talk about his first book, Fire Island. Amidst replicas of old ships and authentic nautical life-saving artifacts, the museum provided the perfect backdrop for the author to discuss this historic tale of shipwrecks and the origin of the United States Lifesaving Service, which became the Coast Guard that we know today.

Naturally drawn to all things maritime, Stevens attended an event on Fire Island 15 years ago. As a bonfire blazed on the beach, a National Park Service Ranger regaled the visitors with courageous accounts of 19th century Surfmen (members of the U.S.L.S.S.) who patrolled the shore searching for shipwreck survivors. Known for the formidable number of ships that went down along the coast, a 10-mile stretch of ocean was dubbed “Wreck Alley.” The stories struck a chord with one listener, and that evening sparked the beginning of Stevens’ first novel.

“The imagery of that evening stuck with me,” he said.

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Stevens mused why a human being would risk his life to save someone else. As the motto of the U.S.L.S.S. states, “You have to go out; but you don’t have to come back.” Mesmerized by the idea, he spent years delving into the national archives and doing research to accurately portray the life of men who worked the sea.

He uncovered a treasure trove of photos from the national archives that can be seen in the book.  Also, the earliest known footage of the U.S.L.S.S. filmed in 1915, the year they merged with the Revenue Cutter Service to form the U.S. Coast Guard.

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Set in 1857, the book describes “an America that was finding its way” which is a period in time that had always fascinated Stevens. He painted a picture of a time when there were no child labor laws, no income tax and slavery.

Fire Island follows William Trask, the captain of the vessel Young America, which became another victim of Wreck Alley on a return voyage from trading in China. After losing his son, his crew and one of his legs in the tragedy, his life is forever altered. 

This story of early Long Island comes together in a dramatic way with near-shore rescues, an unlikely love affair, pirates and men of honor. It explores the creation of volunteer humanitarian societies that formed to rescue and comfort survivors of shipwrecks, and to console the families of those who perished on the water.

He refers to his story as a work of faction – he blends fictional characters and events with those based on real people and happenings from the era. Using his creative license, he breathed new life into real heroes such as Joshua James (represented by the character of the same name) who was considered the greatest life-saver of all time, having reportedly saved over 1,000 lives during his 60 year career.

 “I wanted to put down on paper what it might be like if you were on a stranded vessel, forced to climb a mast and beat to pieces in the water,” Stevens said. 

The novel is a must-read for anyone interested in Long Island or maritime history.

 “It’s a book written by a Long Islander about Long Island,” said the Greenlawn resident. Stevens is a graduate of Stony Brook University with a degree in English. He is the Founder and President of Bullfrog Communications, Inc. a digital communications company.

The self-published novel Fire Island can be purchased and/or downloaded online at www.fireislandnovel.com and through the Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites. 

John J. Stevens will be at the Half Hollow Hills Library on Feb. 23 at 10 a.m.

The Long Island Maritime Museum will host environmental crusader David Johnson on Feb. 19 at 2 p.m.

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