Monthly Archives: January 2009
Admiral Sir George Cockburn
As I’ve noted in the past, an astonishing number of historical characters have roles in Dewey Lambdin’s Alan Lewrie novels. One of those who makes an appearance in A King’s Commander is Captain, later Admiral, George Cockburn. Cockburn, pronounced “Coe-burn”, … Continue reading
Filed under Age of Sail, Alan Lewrie Novels, Naval Biography
The Razees
Ship design during the Age of Sail was characterized by a constant struggle to achieve an optimum balance between speed and firepower. As technology and the art of shipbuilding advanced the size of ships increased. Under the standard rating system … Continue reading
Filed under Age of Sail, Naval Architecture
Calvi
Following the loss of Toulon to the French Army, the British Navy fell back towards Italy. Part of the strategy required Corsica to be wrested from French control. The British Navy contributed men and artillery toward the effort. One of … Continue reading
Filed under Age of Sail, Geography, Naval Operations Ashore
Rear Admiral Sir Philip Bowes Vere Broke
Success breeds complacency. Few things are more devastating to an effective military than a long period without significant challenge. The US Army discovered this brutal lesson in Korea. The British Navy discovered this in the War of 1812. By 1812 … Continue reading
Ferrol
Ferrol, Galicia, has been linked to the sea for its entire history. The remnants of the Spanish Armada took shelter here and it remains the major Spanish naval base on the Atlantic coast. Ferrol, of course, is also well known … Continue reading
Filed under Age of Sail, Geography, Horatio Hornblower Novels, Naval Fiction, Uncategorized
Ships and Characters from A King’s Commander
After a bit of a delay I’ve uploaded the list of ships, characters, and cultural references from Dewey Lambdin’s Alan Lewrie novel, A King’s Commander at scribd.com.
Filed under Age of Sail, Alan Lewrie Novels, Naval Fiction
Characters from the Jack Aubrey Novels
I’ve been pulling together lists of characters, ships, and cultural references from the Alan Lewrie novels by Dewey Lambdin. I just stumbled onto a similar list for the Jack Aubrey novels by Patrick O’Brian. The website, The Patrick O’Brian Compendium, … Continue reading
Filed under Age of Sail, Jack Aubrey Novels, Naval Fiction
“…and some days the bear eats you.”
During wars of the Age of Sail merchantmen of all nations had to run a gauntlet of privateers. English ships in the West Indies and coming down Channel had to constantly on the lookout for the swift, heavily manned ships … Continue reading
