This is an inspirational story for all ages. Unable to attend college, Nat Bowditch is apprenticed to a bookkeeper. Using this opportunity to teach himself, Nat becomes an expert at navigation and numbers. When on board ship, he meticulously keeps records and eventually rewrites the navigation tables. Despite difficulty after difficulty, Nat perseveres in his studies and in his dream to recreate correct tables. In addition to his endurance, his character is patient and kind. Nat wins the support of the skeptical crews on each ship which he sails.