The fortunes, tribulations and surprises of a young man’s adventure across the Atlantic have been published.

Bridport resident Chris Shirley-Smith has documented his travels with a host of quirky characters and the different chapters of his journey.

‘Wherever Lady Luck Would Take Me’ explores Chris’ travels in the Caribbean and the South America during the latter part of the 1960s.

Chris gathers material from a range of different sources and introduces many characters that shape his experience at sea, as well as real diary entries while he was travelling.

The story starts with Chris standing on the quayside in Lisbon Harbour with only a few pounds in his pocket and a degree in Spanish and drama.

It is there that his adventures start, and he was welcomed aboard the Avanti to cross the Atlantic to the West Indies.

Dorset author Wendy Knee, writer of ‘Never Die Wondering’ and ‘Get Cracking’, said: “Chris Shirley-Smith, at the age of 21, decided to work his passage from Lisbon on a sailing ship across the Atlantic. It was 1968.

“In Trinidad’s multi-cultural society, he experienced the kindness of strangers. South America called and so he went to Guyana, he was more familiar with fending for himself, living in primitive conditions under stormy skies.

“He hitch-hiked in lorries, cars and planes. There were delays and benefactors, police and even a night in the cells.

“He was taken in by tribal communities in Venezuela before crossing to into Columbia. Once again, he ran the gauntlet of storms and the police, at one time sleeping in a cave where bandits laid low. Poverty and generosity came in equal measure, with stories and local theatre.

“He worked his way to Ecuador, immersing himself into their culture.

“The story ends when he was struck down by hepatitis, and after being attended by a German doctor, was put on a flight home.

“This is an incredible story about one young man’s rites of passage.”

‘Wherever Lady Luck Would Take Me’ will be launched at Bridport Arts Centre on Saturday (15/6) from 10am to 12 noon.

There will be readings between 10.30am and 12 noon and refreshments will be available.

Books will be sold at the promotional price of £10, exclusively for the book signing event.