Post Captain Sir Nicholas Turnhouse, Bloody Nick, is loose in the Mediterranean in his razee, Saturn. He is now well towards the top of the Captain’s List and all his actions are taken with one eye on the promotions to Rear Admiral due within a few months.
Bloody Nick returns from the Mediterranean tired – he has done too much, seen too much, and needs rest at home. His ship, HBMS Hawke, needs time in the yard.
A year of half-pay leaves Nick rested and anxious to get back to sea. He is close to the top of the Captain’s List and automatic promotion to Rear Admiral must be due in two to four years – the actual date varying at the Admiralty’s convenience. Captains sitting at home without a command are more likely to be yellowed, made without squadron, and never employed again.
Nick has his baronetcy – which he values greatly – but knows a successful command as an admiral may turn that into an Irish peerage. He cannot realistically hope for more than that, a title without a seat in the House of Lords, but would dearly love to become Lord Turnhouse. He begs the First Lord for a ship and is given Saturn, an unusual razee, to take out to the Mediterranean… provided he can man her.
His first task in the Mediterranean is to attempt to tidy up a problem in the Aegean where the French are taking bases on some of the islands, the Ottomans are losing control of others to rebel Turks and unruly Greeks, and the British are enemies to some, friends to others and allies to none. As Commodore with a small squadron, Nick has a free hand to create peace – quite possibly the peace of the grave.
Wellington is active in Spain and Britain is celebrating its first military successes in Europe. The Navy is tasked with supporting the Army by closing the Western Mediterranean to French shipping, forcing all stores to be sent overland, at risk to the swarming guerrilleros in their incessant war with each other and the French.
Spain is suffering invasion which has unleashed long simmering discontents and a multi-sided civil war. The Spanish peasantry are experiencing little short of genocide.
Nick must protect British interests and, when possible, take pity on the Spanish people. He rapidly comes to the conclusion that little has changed. The best aid he can give to the Spanish is to destroy the French wherever he can find them.
‘The Call of the Sea’ series has received more than 38,000 5-Star reviews
Post Captain Sir Nicholas Turnhouse, Bloody Nick, is loose in the Mediterranean in his razee, Saturn. He is now well towards the top of the Captain’s List and all his actions are taken with one eye on the promotions to Rear Admiral due within a few months.
Wellington is active in Spain and Britain is celebrating its first military successes in Europe. The Navy is tasked with supporting the Army by closing the Western Mediterranean to French shipping, forcing all stores to be sent overland, at risk to the swarming guerrilleros in their incessant war with each other and the French.
Spain is suffering invasion which has unleashed long simmering discontents and a multi-sided civil war. The Spanish peasantry are experiencing little short of genocide.
Nick must protect British interests and, when possible, take pity on the Spanish people. He rapidly comes to the conclusion that little has changed. The best aid he can give to the Spanish is to destroy the French wherever he can find them.
‘The Call of the Sea’ series has received more than 38,000 5-Star reviews
