Category Archives: Naval Operations Ashore
The Boats of HMS Impérieuse
I’ve noted on a couple of occasions that I’m reluctant to cover the careers of well know figures such as Nelson because they have been covered in such detail that I can’t add anything new to the discussion while on … Continue reading
Filed under Age of Sail, Naval Operations Ashore, Smal Boat Actions
Villasar de Mar
This photo shows the coastal road at Villasar de Mar, a bit north of Barcelona, where the squadron operating under the command of Captain Edward Codrington caught and mauled a French infantry division on the march, a story told below.
Filed under Age of Sail, Naval Operations, Naval Operations Ashore
Captain Codrington vs The French Army
“Port a point. Steady!” The ship crept through the water; not a sound from the crew, standing tense at their guns — only the faint sweet music of the breeze in the rigging, and the lapping of the water overside. … Continue reading
…I have named her, Sir, after yourself,—the Undaunted
We’ve mentioned a few times that the writers of naval fiction set during the Age of Sail have an immense amount of material available to them that only needs minor adjustments to read as fiction. For instance, the HMS Cockerel, … Continue reading
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
“…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
HMS Fort Diamond
As we’ve noted before, one of the advantages of writing fiction set during the Age of Sail is that the real events are often so much more exciting than any mere novelist could conceive of. Take for instance the case … Continue reading
Sea Dayaks and Lanun Rovers
The major theme of The King’s Privateer is piracy in the East Indies. While the novel introduces the element of the French positioning themselves as a prelude to the next round of warfare, the fact remains that piracy was endemic … Continue reading
Grand Turk Island
What does this have to do with the Age of Sail?
Filed under Age of Sail, Geography, Naval Operations, Naval Operations Ashore
