Tag Archives: Patrick O’Brian
HMS Speedy vs El Gamo
A quick perusal of this blog will show that I’ve shied away from writing much on major figures of the Age of Sail. While I have biographical entries on lesser known figures, like Sir Henry Duncan and Midshipman Flinders, there … Continue reading
The Long Nine
Of all naval guns the one most likely to appear in fiction set during the Age of Sail is the “long nine.” There are probably a couple of good reasons for this. First, the hero in these novels tends to … Continue reading
Filed under Age of Sail, Jack Aubrey Novels, Naval Fiction, Naval Weapons
“…the lesser of two weevils”
Two weevils crept from the crumbs. “You see those weevils, Stephen?” said Jack solemnly. “I do.” “Which would you choose?” “There is not a scrap of difference. Arcades ambo. They are the same species of curculio, and there is nothing … Continue reading
Filed under Age of Sail, Jack Aubrey Novels, Naval Fiction, naval food, Naval Life
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
Sailors and Swimming
One of the articles of faith in most nautical fiction of the Age of Sail is the notion that sailor’s were generally non-swimmers. The Jack Aubrey novels by Patrick O’Brian note that Jack is unusual in his strong swimming ability … Continue reading
Filed under Jack Aubrey Novels, Naval Fiction, Naval Life
John Jervis, Earl of St. Vincent
Many historical characters wend their way through the nautical fiction of the Age of Sail. The Royal Navy was a fairly small organization, especially in the number of officers, and as employment was gained via interest and patronage it is … Continue reading
Filed under Age of Sail, Jack Aubrey Novels, Naval Biography
