1792. Keen to escape a stifling home life and explore the world, Sim Roberts joins the Royal Navy. Jolly Jack Tar doesn’t know what to make of a nice 14-year-old of the middling classes. And the feeling is mutual. Then the war begins…
Admiral Lord Nelson is revered by his men. As the only seaman to serve in Nelson’s ship for every one of his four great Fleet Actions, Sim knows exactly why.
This adventure follows Sim’s progress from dazed and confused Landsman to respected Bosun’s Mate across 14 epic years of the war against France, culminating at Trafalgar.
Published: October 2023 ● Pages: 450
Contents
Part One: 1792-97 ~ Theia, Captain & St. Vincent
Chapter I – In which I first set eyes upon Captain Nelson
Chapter II – Reflexions upon the First Article of War
Chapter III – In which the Ship’s Company observe the Lord’s Day according to law
Chapter IV – In which I conduct the Reader upon a tour of H. M. Ship Captain, whether he wishes it or no
Chapter V – In which we begin to become used our new circumstances
Chapter VI – In which I relate my joining the Navy, as I ought to have done at the start of this book
Chapter VII – In which I become a seaman
Chapter VIII – Reflexions upon the Twentieth Article of War
Chapter IX – In which I meet my messmates
Chapter X – In which I learn seafaring
Chapter XI – In which the blockade of Brest begins
Chapter XII – In which I make purchases and observe, with no little perplexity, certain other transactions
Chapter XIII – Reflexions upon the Second & Thirty-Fifth Articles of War
Chapter XIV – In which I endeavour to make plain the points of the compass
Chapter XV – In which the blockade of Brest is, and is not, carried forward
Chapter XVI – In which I come to know the meaning of “storm”
Chapter XVII – Wherein our squadron protects the Gulf of Genoa & we become fiercer foes to the King’s Enemies
Chapter XVIII – Concerning Leghorn
Chapter XIX – Reflexions upon the Article of War that none wrote
Chapter XX – Wherein we are beset by many changes
Chapter XXI – Reflexions upon the Fifteenth Article of War
Chapter XXII – Wherein I see Gibralter, Lisbon and, with surprizing clarity, Cadiz
Chapter XXIII – Reflexions upon the Twenty-eighth and Thirty-second Articles of War
Chapter XXIV – Wherein we get wind of the Enemy Fleet
Chapter XXV – Reflexions upon the Twelfth Article of War
Chapter XXVI – Wherein we bring the Enemy to action at Cape St. Vincent
Part Two: 1797-98 ~ Captain, Vanguard & The Nile
Chapter XXVII – Wherein we repair much of the damage occasioned by the late Battle, but not all
Chapter XXVIII – Wherein I recall the loss of Theia in 1794
Chapter XXIX – In which Admiral Nelson shifts his Flag and Captain goes for a refit
Chapter XXX – In which I get a new Ship under a new Captain, whom I know of old, and pipe aboard an unexpected Admiral
Chapter XXXI – In which I return to the Mediterranean
Chapter XXXII – In which our Squadron becomes a Fleet
Chapter XXXIII – The Battle of the Nile
Chapter XXXIV – Wherein we repair damages
Chapter XXXV – Wherein we take our leave of Egypt
Part Three: 1798-1801 ~ Vanguard, Keen, Elephant & Copenhagen
Chapter XXXVI – Wherein Nelson becomes much occupied
Chapter XXXVII – Acting Bosun Sim Roberts!
Chapter XXXVIII – In which I am ashore for a longer time than I would
Chapter XXXIX – In which I go into a new Ship once more
Chapter XL – In which a happy year flits past
Chapter XLI – In which we turn to larboard
Chapter XLII – Wherein we bring Copenhagen in view
Chapter XLIII – The Battle of Copenhagen
Chapter XLIV – We conclude our business with the Danes and sail into the Baltic
Part Four: 1801-05 ~ Elephant, Ambuscade, France, Isis, Victory, Merton & Trafalgar
Chapter XLV – Sweden, Russia, Prussia and Home
Chapter XLVI – In which I cross the Atlantic Ocean only to return
Chapter XLVII – Wherein I walk about, without let or hindrance, in France!
Chapter XLVIII – Wherein we engage in a long, long chace
Chapter XLIX – Wherein Vice-Admiral The Right Honourable The Viscount Nelson takes greater notice of me than ever I thought possible
Chapter L – Off Cadiz, we trail our coat-tails before the Enemy
Chapter LI – The Battle of Trafalgar
Chapter LII – Wherein we battle two storms: one of wind and the other of sorrow
Part Five: 1806-10 ~ Ashore
Chapter LIII – Wherein a Nation laments its Hero
Chapter LIV – In which I return home
Chapter LV – In which I begin a new life
Chapter LVI – In which my tale reaches its end
Extracts
Battle of the Nile (extract)
At Merton Place (extract)
Available at…
Amazon¹:
Aus/NZ
Can
NL
UK/Ire
US
¹Amazon: Kindle only. Others: open format
Reviews
“The narrator is good company: curious, intelligent, and blessed with a fine sense of humor”
“Engaging, well paced, fascinating - already missing it”
“A big Patrick O’Brian fan, and it shows”
“An astonishing piece of writing – I marvel at the level of detail of daily life and seamanship”
“Absolutely authentic – very engrossing”
“Great book. Well researched. Love the characters. Sounds like it was written by a sailor who was actually there.”
“I can recommend it highly. I am especially impressed with the note-perfect language, punctuation and turns of phrase”