Murder Afloat — Jane Leslie Conly

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ORVILLE is a boy without a care in the world. He has his own pony, he's caught the eye of the charming girl next door, and he can buy chocolates by the fistful. But one day his mother sends him on an errand in town, and suddenly Benjy is caught up in a scuffle, kidnapped with a group of immigrants, and put to work aboard the Ella Dawn -- one of the most ill-reputed oystering vessels out of Baltimore. While he's aboard, Benjamin must serve a dangerous -- even murderous -- captain. He pines for his family, but learns to love something about the ocean and the physical labor. He may even be ready to strike out on a life of adventure all his own -- if he can make it off the Ella Dawn alive.