During the great battle of Trafalgar, fought on October 21, 1805, the French 74 gun ship of the line Redoutable engaged the British 100 gun warships Victory and Temeraire, nearly capturing Nelson’s own flagship (HMS Victory) before being beaten by […]
Throughout our beloved series, Patrick O’Brian makes many references to the apparent superiority of French ships and shipbuilding. Indeed, our own dear Surprise was originally French. O’Brian’s references are consistent with those of many historians, but they […]
While Jack and Stephen sometimes encounter enemies from other nations, the overwhelming villain of our beloved series is Napoleon Bonaparte acting through the French Navy. Of course, English antipathy towards the French dates back much […]
From The Naval Chronicle, Vol. XIV, July to December 1805 The operations of the grand naval army second, in the Atlantic, those of the grand imperial army in Germany. The English fleet is annihilated! Nelson […]
Cairo, August 19, 1798 Your husband was killed by a cannonball while fighting on board his ship. He died honourably, and without suffering, as every soldier would wish to die.
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