Book excerpt: (Paper Back Cover) Captain Otway Burns and his ship Snap Dragon explores the legends, facts, and misguided information of Captain Otway Burns' life. As a native son of southeastern North Carolina he was a merchant sea Captain, highly successful War of 1812 Privateer, noted businessman, and an inventive ship builder. Later in life Burns was a strong state legislator, but like most of his life, his service to his state and country was controversial. Myth and fact have merged since Captain Burns' death in 1850. Using fragments of information along with long forgotten documents, compiled with material gained from newly located direct descendents, this book attempts to capture a more accurate description of Captain Burns and his adventurous life. If you enjoy good stories of Tall Ship Naval battles, or are intrigued with local legends, this book is for you.