The memoirs of William Spavens are not only significant for nautical and military history, but are nearly unique in world literature. Narratives by ordinary people, sailors or otherwise, are very rare for this period. Spavens served under Admirals Anson and Hawke, and provides accounts of the major naval battles of the mid-18th century, the life of an ordinary person serving at sea, and the many places around the world which he visited in the course of his career.