Victor Hugo and the Sea

He befriended sailors and fishermen, learned about the creatures of the seas, inspected a wreck, studied maritime charts, tide-tables, marker buoys, currents … researched lighthouses, donated life-saving equipment to a harbourmaster, grieved for the widows and children of drowned sailors.

He wove his knowledge, sentiments and observations into two great novels – The Toilers of the Sea and By Order of the King.