Love Nest by Edward F. Cline (March 1923)

Keaton, seeking solace from his troubled life and a lost love, embarks on a journey aboard his small boat, Cupid. However, his voyage takes an unexpected turn when he encounters a whaling vessel named The Love Nest, commanded by a ruthless captain known for his harsh discipline. The captain's severity is evident when he throws crew members overboard for minor infractions, including replacing his steward with Keaton after an incident involving spilled hot tea. Despite a series of chaotic events, Keaton manages to avoid the grim fate of his fellow crewmen. Determined to escape the oppressive environment, he sabotages the ship by creating a hole in its hull and flees in a lifeboat, adrift without knowledge of his destination. His journey leads him to unknowingly dock at a naval gunnery practice platform, where a direct hit propels him skyward in dramatic fashion. Ultimately, Keaton awakens to discover it was all a dream, still safely aboard Cupid, which never left the dock.