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The Stolen Cruiser
The Stolen Cruiser

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Stolen Cruiser is here in full — 91 sentences across 19 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Percy F. (Percy Francis) Westerman • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Stolen Cruiser
Context Illustration Reading 1/18 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AUTHOR OF "THE SEA MONARCH," "THE FLYING SUBMARINE" ETC.
LONDON JARROLD & SONS, 10 & 11, WARWICK LANE, E.C.
IT was half-past eight on a May morning.
The sun was obscured in a dense haze that the light south-westerly breeze failed to disperse.
Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Stolen Cruiser

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Stolen Cruiser is here in full — 91 sentences across 19 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/18 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AUTHOR OF "THE SEA MONARCH," "THE FLYING SUBMARINE" ETC.
Line 2
LONDON JARROLD & SONS, 10 & 11, WARWICK LANE, E.C.
Line 3
IT was half-past eight on a May morning.
Line 4
The sun was obscured in a dense haze that the light south-westerly breeze failed to disperse.
Line 5
Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

destroyer noun US /dɪˈstrɔɪər/

a small fast lightly armored but heavily armed warship

From this reading “Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
disperse verb US /dɪˈspɜːrs/

distribute loosely

From this reading “The sun was obscured in a dense haze that the light south-westerly breeze failed to disperse.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
enshrouded verb US /ɪnˈʃraʊdəd/

past form of “enshroud” — cover as if with a shroud

From this reading “Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
obscured verb US /əbsˈkjʊrd/

past form of “obscure” — make less visible or unclear

From this reading “The sun was obscured in a dense haze that the light south-westerly breeze failed to disperse.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Portsmouth noun US /ˈpɔːrtsməθ/

a port city in southeastern Virginia on the Elizabeth River opposite Norfolk; naval base; shipyards

From this reading “Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
undulating verb US /ˈʌndʒəleɪtɪŋ/

-ing form of “undulate” — stir up (water) so as to form ripples

From this reading “Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
warwick noun US /ˈwɔːrwɪk/

English statesman; during the War of the Roses he fought first for the house of York and secured the throne for Edward IV and then changed sides to fight for the house of Lancaster and secured the throne for Henry VI (1428-1471)

From this reading “LONDON JARROLD & SONS, 10 & 11, WARWICK LANE, E.C.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Wight noun US /waɪt/

a human being; “wight” is an archaic term

From this reading “Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

from the deck preposition + article + noun counted as “from … deck”

In this reading “Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.”

2,146 times in 426,212 chapters

All words in this reading · 64

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

10

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading LONDON JARROLD & SONS, 10 & 11, WARWICK LANE, E.C.

Pending verification
11

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading LONDON JARROLD & SONS, 10 & 11, WARWICK LANE, E.C.

Pending verification
adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading IT was half-past eight on a May morning.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
AUTHORnounUS /ˈɔːθər/

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE SEA MONARCH," "THE FLYING SUBMARINE" ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
breezenounUS /briːz/

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading The sun was obscured in a dense haze that the light south-westerly breeze failed to disperse.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
builtadjectiveUS /bɪlt/

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CnounUS /siː/

a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature

From this reading LONDON JARROLD & SONS, 10 & 11, WARWICK LANE, E.C.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
decknounUS /dek/

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
denseadjectiveUS /dens/

permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter

From this reading The sun was obscured in a dense haze that the light south-westerly breeze failed to disperse.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
destroyernounUS /dɪˈstrɔɪər/

a small fast lightly armored but heavily armed warship

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
disperseverbUS /dɪˈspɜːrs/

distribute loosely

From this reading The sun was obscured in a dense haze that the light south-westerly breeze failed to disperse.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
downsnounUS /daʊnz/

plural of “down” — soft fine feathers

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
EnounUS /iː/

a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body

From this reading LONDON JARROLD & SONS, 10 & 11, WARWICK LANE, E.C.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
eightadjectiveUS /eɪt/

being one more than seven

From this reading IT was half-past eight on a May morning.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
enshroudedverbUS /ɪnˈʃraʊdəd/

past form of “enshroud” — cover as if with a shroud

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ETC

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE SEA MONARCH," "THE FLYING SUBMARINE" ETC.

Pending verification
failedverbUS /feɪld/

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading The sun was obscured in a dense haze that the light south-westerly breeze failed to disperse.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FLYINGadjectiveUS /ˈflaɪɪŋ/

moving swiftly

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE SEA MONARCH," "THE FLYING SUBMARINE" ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Frome

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

Pending verification
HnounUS /eɪtʃ/

a nonmetallic univalent element that is normally a colorless and odorless highly flammable diatomic gas; the simplest and lightest and most abundant element in the universe

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
half-past

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading IT was half-past eight on a May morning.

Pending verification
hazenounUS /heɪz/

atmospheric moisture or dust or smoke that causes reduced visibility

From this reading The sun was obscured in a dense haze that the light south-westerly breeze failed to disperse.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The sun was obscured in a dense haze that the light south-westerly breeze failed to disperse.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
IslenounUS /aɪl/

a small island

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ITpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading IT was half-past eight on a May morning.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
JARROLD

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading LONDON JARROLD & SONS, 10 & 11, WARWICK LANE, E.C.

Pending verification
landnounUS /lænd/

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LANEnounUS /leɪn/

a narrow way or road

From this reading LONDON JARROLD & SONS, 10 & 11, WARWICK LANE, E.C.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
layverbUS /leɪ/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The sun was obscured in a dense haze that the light south-westerly breeze failed to disperse.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
LONDONnounUS /ˈlʌndən/

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading LONDON JARROLD & SONS, 10 & 11, WARWICK LANE, E.C.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
low-lyingadjective

having a small elevation above the ground or horizon or sea level

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MnounUS /em/

the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading IT was half-past eight on a May morning.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
MONARCHnounUS /ˈmɑːnɑːrk/

a nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE SEA MONARCH," "THE FLYING SUBMARINE" ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading IT was half-past eight on a May morning.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
obscuredverbUS /əbsˈkjʊrd/

past form of “obscure” — make less visible or unclear

From this reading The sun was obscured in a dense haze that the light south-westerly breeze failed to disperse.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE SEA MONARCH," "THE FLYING SUBMARINE" ETC.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading IT was half-past eight on a May morning.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
PortsmouthnounUS /ˈpɔːrtsməθ/

a port city in southeastern Virginia on the Elizabeth River opposite Norfolk; naval base; shipyards

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SEAnounUS /siː/

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE SEA MONARCH," "THE FLYING SUBMARINE" ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sea-fog

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

Pending verification
SONSnounUS /sʌnz/

plural of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading LONDON JARROLD & SONS, 10 & 11, WARWICK LANE, E.C.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
south-westerly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The sun was obscured in a dense haze that the light south-westerly breeze failed to disperse.

Pending verification
Spithead

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

Pending verification
SUBMARINEnounUS /ˈsʌbməriːn/

a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE SEA MONARCH," "THE FLYING SUBMARINE" ETC.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sunnounUS /sʌn/

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The sun was obscured in a dense haze that the light south-westerly breeze failed to disperse.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The sun was obscured in a dense haze that the light south-westerly breeze failed to disperse.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE SEA MONARCH," "THE FLYING SUBMARINE" ETC.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The sun was obscured in a dense haze that the light south-westerly breeze failed to disperse.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
torpedo-boat

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

Pending verification
undulatingverbUS /ˈʌndʒəleɪtɪŋ/

-ing form of “undulate” — stir up (water) so as to form ripples

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
visibleadjectiveUS /ˈvɪzəbəl/

capable of being seen; or open to easy view

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
WARWICKnounUS /ˈwɔːrwɪk/

English statesman; during the War of the Roses he fought first for the house of York and secured the throne for Edward IV and then changed sides to fight for the house of Lancaster and secured the throne for Henry VI (1428-1471)

From this reading LONDON JARROLD & SONS, 10 & 11, WARWICK LANE, E.C.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading IT was half-past eight on a May morning.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
WightnounUS /waɪt/

a human being; “wight” is an archaic term

From this reading Spithead lay enshrouded in the sea-fog, while from the deck of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyer _Frome_ neither the low-lying land upon which Portsmouth is built nor the undulating downs of the Isle of Wight were visible.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 1 of The Stolen Cruiser by Percy F. (Percy Francis) Westerman holds 91 sentences, grouped into 19 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of The Stolen Cruiser contain?

Chapter 1 holds 91 sentences of The Stolen Cruiser, unabridged, divided into 19 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Stolen Cruiser by Percy F. (Percy Francis) Westerman exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 91 sentences, grouped into 19 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of The Stolen Cruiser?

Work through the 19 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 19 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Stolen Cruiser

Common questions about reading The Stolen Cruiser by Percy F. (Percy Francis) Westerman on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Stolen Cruiser?

Yes. All 2650 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #49674 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Stolen Cruiser is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #49674, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Stolen Cruiser take to read?

About 220 minutes of reading across 530 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Stolen Cruiser section by section

How to work through The Stolen Cruiser section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 24 chapters of The Stolen Cruiser to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Stolen Cruiser

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Stolen Cruiser, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Stolen Cruiser; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Monarch
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Stolen Cruiser; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Flying
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Stolen Cruiser; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Submarine
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Stolen Cruiser; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.