Название книги: Gangway!

In Gangway! Gabe Beauchamps was a shake down man in New York, a city he loves more than anything. After shaking down the relative of a powerful mob player, Gabe is given a one way train ticket to San Francisco and told he will be watched to make sure he arrives. First problem is the train doesn't go all the way to San Francisco so Gabe has to make some of the journey by ship. He hates ships and spends the majority of his voyage puking up his guts. One good thing about the voyage is that he learns of the existence of the San Francisco mint. Another good thing is a failed pick pocket attempt by a beautiful blond woman, who intrigued by the fact Gabe isn't like the typical West coast male decides to help him out and hang out with him. When he informs her after spending a few days in San Francisco, a place he hates more than anything, that he plans on robbing the mint so he will have enough money to return to New York and have his vengeance she (named Vangie by the way) humours him, not believing it possible or that he would attempt it. Gabe however has the ultimate plan, that will involve her and a few other eccentric characters from San Francisco including a 35 year old man who seems to be a good luck charm as those who try to harm him end up coming to harm themselves during the attempt, a drunk reluctant ship captain and others. Oh and you'll also learn how surfing was invented during the robbery.