The responsibility for the upbringing of the orphaned Masefield children was taken on by an Aunt and Uncle who had no experience of children or the necessary finances to continue the expensive schooling John had enjoyed. Further, to the irritation of John who by this age had become very fond of reading, his aunt scorned books and had John�s Grandfather�s library removed from the home. At the age of 13, John�s Aunt insisted he be sent to the sea-cadet ship, the HMS Conway, for training for a life at sea.

John spent several years aboard this training ship and although he initially had no desire to go there, he found that he could spend much of his time reading and writing, as well as receiving instruction in nautical subjects such as navigation, astronomy, and geography. It was aboard the Conway that Masefield�s love for story-telling grew. While on the ship, in the company of his instructors, many of whom had years of experience at sea, he listened to the many yarns verbally passed on about sea lore. He continued to read books with a passion, and at this early age felt that he was to become a writer and story teller himself.