Rudyard Kipling 
Captains Courageous 

First published in 1897, ’Captains Courageous’ is another brilliant story and a maritime adventure created by the very versatile Rudyard Kipling.



’Captains Courageous’ tells the story of a 15-year-old boy named Harvey Cheyne Jr., the spoiled son of a wealthy railroad tycoon. He is on an ocean liner bound for Europe when he falls overboard and is rescued by a group of cod fisherman off the coast of Newfoundland. Harvey tries to get the fisherman to take him back to port, but they refuse to do it. He also tells them that he is wealthy and his father will pay for the trip back, but the fisherman don’t believe him. When Harvey accuses the captain, Disko Troop, of taking his money, the captain makes Harvey join the crew and work as a fisherman for the remainder of their trip.



The story focuses on Harvey’s personal transformation from the arrogant, pampered son of a millionaire to an admirable young man who has learned the values of hard work, simple living, and self-reliance.