Polly's Southern Cruise

In Short

This travel-adventure novel follows a group of affluent, energetic young friends—led by the resourceful Polly Brewster and her guardian, Mr. Dalken—as they cruise the Caribbean and the Canal Zone aboard the yacht White Crest. The narrative balances lighthearted social escapades, such as shopping in Jamaica and attending military balls in Panama, with the occasional brush with danger, including a fierce hurricane. It serves as an earnest, optimistic snapshot of the early 1920s, capturing a vanished era of leisurely, privilege-heavy exploration that remains an enduring relic of juvenile travel literature.

The Story

The journey begins in the planning rooms of a New York home, where Polly and her friend Eleanor, known as "Nolla," orchestrate an ambitious itinerary for a Southern cruise. They must navigate the preferences of their guardian, Mr. Dalken, and their chaperone, Mrs. Courtney, successfully maneuvering through a "general meeting" to finalize their destination: the warm waters of the Caribbean. The party eventually sets sail on the White Crest, a vessel that becomes their floating home as they travel south.

The early days of the voyage are defined by the social friction between the girls and Elizabeth Dalken, the host’s daughter, whose pretentious claims of being an expert sailor are punctured when she falls ill during the first gale. The ocean, however, proves more challenging than the social dynamics. A sudden, violent hurricane tests the group's mettle, forcing the passengers to hunker down in their cabins while the yacht is tossed by the storm. Polly and Eleanor, though frightened, manage to secure themselves, later witnessing the magnificent, phosphorescent power of the sea from their portholes.

Upon reaching Jamaica, the tone shifts from maritime endurance to land-based exploration. The group navigates the colorful streets of Kingston, dealing with persistent hack drivers and observing the eccentricities of the local judicial system. They visit historical sites, including Spanish Town’s centuries-old cathedral, and enjoy the tropical beauty of Hope Gardens. The narrative is punctuated by the arrival of old friends, including soldiers from the "Great War" who provide tales of their experiences in Europe. A surprise reunion occurs when a Belgian crew member on the yacht recognizes one of the officers who had once saved him.

The journey culminates in the Panama Canal Zone. Here, the characters are treated to a whirlwind of activity, including an aerial tour, a gala at the Government Headquarters, and a tense moment involving an electrical fire on the White Crest. Throughout these chapters, the dynamic between Polly and the young men in her orbit—particularly the persistent Tom Latimer—is refined. Polly, maintaining her independence, gently rebuffs Tom’s romantic overtures, preferring to view him as a "pal." The story concludes with the group preparing to depart for the west coast of South America, leaving the reader with the promise of future exploits as the yacht sets sail into the sunset, heading toward the next leg of their grand, indeterminate adventure.

How It Unfolds

The voyage begins Polly and Eleanor meticulously draft their travel plans, prioritizing their desire for an ocean cruise over alternative itineraries. They manage to persuade their group and secure the yacht, setting the stage for a journey that promises both education and leisure.

Storms at sea The initial bravado of the passengers—specifically Elizabeth Dalken—is quickly checked by the reality of the open ocean. A fierce hurricane interrupts their progress, forcing the travelers into a claustrophobic, high-stakes endurance test that humbles the proud and reveals the strength of the others.

Kingston and the islands The group transitions to the rhythmic, hot climate of Jamaica, where they engage with the local culture and architecture. They navigate the complexities of foreign ports, encountering everything from absurd court scenes to the lush beauty of botanical gardens.

Panama and departures In the Canal Zone, the cruise takes on a more formal, social tone with military dances and aviation sightings. The journey concludes with a narrow escape from a shipboard fire, marking a transition point as the travelers prepare to push further south, leaving their current acquaintances behind.

The People

Polly Brewster is the story’s anchor, a sharp-witted and independent young woman who values friendship over romance. She is the engine of the voyage, constantly prodding others into action and defending her autonomy against those who would treat her as a decorative companion.

Eleanor "Nolla" Maynard serves as Polly’s loyal counterpart. She is defined by her blunt honesty and a refreshing impatience with social artifice. Unlike Polly, who is more diplomatic, Eleanor’s refusal to indulge in "subterfuge" makes her the reliable moral compass of the pair.

Mr. Dalken is the group’s wealthy, indulgent guardian. He functions as a benevolent but teasing authority figure, constantly seeking to provide his daughter, Elizabeth, and her friends with an elevated education. His character is defined by his generosity and his secret, protective maneuvers to keep his daughter away from social "trouble."

Elizabeth Dalken acts as the foil to the group. A "spoiled darling," she is consistently concerned with appearances and social hierarchy. Her trajectory is one of frustrated vanity; she is frequently embarrassed by her father’s practical jokes and the lack of deference shown to her by Polly and Eleanor.

Tom Latimer represents the persistent, earnest suitor. He arrives at the wharf seeking to win Polly’s affections, but his desire for "possession" is met with Polly’s firm, mature rejection. He ends the story having learned, albeit reluctantly, to be a friend rather than a suitor.

In Its Own Voice

“To tell the truth, Nolla,” began Polly in a lowered tone, “I’d much rather sail the seas with Dalky, in his yacht, than venture in a rented craft supervised by Mrs. Courtney—even though she is the dearest thing I ever had for a chaperone!”

Polly explains to her friend why she insists on using Mr. Dalken’s private vessel rather than the safer alternative.

“This sea-sick business is only a matter of self-control, I think!” declared Elizabeth, with a superior smile.

Elizabeth makes this boastful claim shortly before the rough weather forces her to face the unpleasant reality of her own physical limitations.

“There go the two troubles of my life—one whom I despise, and one whom I am not sure about adoring or hating!”

Polly reflects on her conflicting feelings toward her companions as she watches them depart at the end of a long day.

What It's Really About

At its core, the book explores the transition from adolescence to a self-defined adulthood, viewed through the lens of travel. The characters are constantly negotiating the boundaries between their sheltered, high-society upbringing and the unpredictable, wider world. The cruise is not merely a vacation; it is a laboratory for social interaction where the girls learn to distinguish between genuine friendship and performative romance. There is an underlying argument for independence, particularly for young women, who assert their agency by choosing their own paths and managing their own "escapades." The book also touches on the curiosity of the era regarding foreign cultures, framing the Caribbean as a place of historical, architectural, and botanical discovery meant to broaden the mind of the privileged traveler.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the brisk, optimistic pacing of early 20th-century juvenile fiction will find this a charming, if somewhat dated, period piece. The prose is earnest and descriptive, capturing the excitement of travel in an era before mass tourism transformed these regions. Reading it feels like looking through a filtered, sepia-toned lens; the social attitudes—specifically the casual, often dismissive way the characters interact with local residents—are very much products of their time and may feel jarring to a modern reader.

However, the book succeeds as a character study of a strong-willed young woman who is not interested in being a passive passenger. Polly’s refusal to be "possessed" or intimidated by the men around her offers a surprisingly modern spark within a traditional structure. While the pacing can be leisurely and the dialogue occasionally stiff, the book’s genuine warmth and the camaraderie of the central group make it a pleasant, low-stakes escape. It is a work best approached as a historical artifact, offering a window into how a specific class of Americans viewed their place in the world just after the First World War.