Ever since junior high, when I was introduced to the Hornblower novels of C. S. Forrester. Since then I’ve become a voracious reader of the novels of Alexander Kent, Dudley Pope, and to a lesser degree, and I know I speak heresy here, those of Patrick O’Brian. Lately, I’ve become engrossed in the Alan Lewrie novels of Dewey Lambdin and have found them a worthy addition to a genre which seemed to have passed with Mr. O’Brian.
I can’t adequately explain why these novels appealed to me as I’ve never been beyond the sight of land and my sailing experience is limited to riding ferries or attempting to sail a Sunfish. But the thought of towering masts, clouds of canvas, the roar of cannon, and the hard men who kept them afloat
What I hope to bring together here is a comprehensive source for the era: weapons and armaments, personages, single ship and minor fleet actions, and way of life aboard a man o’war during the Age of Sail.
4 Comments
January 24, 2009 at 4:39 pm
I am curious as to the source on Captain Richard Kenah of the bomb vessel HMS Aetna. Your information states he died from a mortar explosion on the Aetna in August 1814. What is the source of this information?
January 24, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Good question. I tried retracing my bread crumbs and in increasingly looks like I may have been in error. This source says he was killed on October 3.
May 6, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Thank you for visiting my blog. I’m assuming you viewed ‘The Ghost Ship’ artwork that I did. I have always found ships to be fascinating and, like you, I don’t know why. Perhaps it’s from our past generations?
I, however, am more prone to be drawn to photos/images rather than actual stories. You have an interesting blog here. I’ve ‘Stumbled’ it for you.
November 21, 2009 at 8:49 pm
I thought this might interest you!
http://exhibitions.nypl.org/treasures/items/show/171
- Rebecca