Hornblower and the Hotspur by C.S Forester is a fictional account of lieutenant, soon to be captain Horatio Hornblower. This novel. But one in a series of stories outlining the accounts of lieutenant Hornblower. During the 18th century, England was asserting herself as a world sea power, and continued to dominate the high seas for the larger part of the 18th and 19th centuries. There are a multitude of factors in this story in which outline the real life day-to-day faring of a sea captain, the ship, her crew and their struggles in this era, such as: Blockades and privateering, navigation and seamanship, rations and supplies, and the issues of crew payment, recruiting and welfare. Each contributing significantly to the outcome of the novel which see's lieutenant Hornblower promoted to Captain by the conclusion of this novel, a feat not easily accomplished.
As the Peace of Amiens draws to a close, as does Hornblower’s time as an lowly half-payed Lieutenant. The Peace of Amiens was supposed to bring peace to England and France, however we can see this will not always be true. Promoted and confirmed as a master and commander, he is given command of the sloop Hotspur. Leaving England and his new bride in advance of the hurriedly rebuilding channel fleet, Hornblower is soon on station off Brest in France. When his small vessel is pursued by the frigate Loire, a ship with which the Hotspur has recently exchanged passing honors with, Hornblower knows war has resumed. Hornblower would have been led to believe war had resumed due to how persistently and virulently she was pursued by the Loire, and the fact she opened fire, although at too great a distance to cause significant damage. In the end the quick wit of the Ships Company defeat...
... middle of paper ...
...ccessful in many raids, and resupply runs. If not for Hornblower’s superior navigation and seamanship, they would have not nearly been so successful. Ultimately leading to the transition to post captain, unfortunately also causing Hornblower to realize his new promotion means leaving his beloved crew. But like any young Royal Navy Officer, his dream is to one day captain a much larger and prestigious vessel. Within 400 pages, we watch a young half-pay lieutenant become the man and captain he was destined to be.
Works Cited
Forester, C.S (1962) Hornblower and the Hotspur. Penguin Publishing. [e-book]
Lavery, Brian (1983) The Ship of the Line, Volume 1: The Development of the Battlefleet, 1650–1850. Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press.
Lavery, Brian. (1984) The Ship of the Line, Volume 2: Design, Construction and Fittings. Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press.
The Many-Headed Hydra: Sailors, Slaves, Commoners and the Hidden History of the Revolutionary Atlantic by Peter Linebaugh and Marcus Rediker is an excellent source for a broad view of maritime Atlantic history. Linebaugh and Rediker cover a large area in their attempt to tie the rise of capitalism over a span of two hundred years in approximately 355 pages. The Many-Headed Hydra is broken down into nine chapters along with an introduction and conclusion. The overarching theme of this book truly is the development of the Atlantic proletariat attitudes, and the reason for it. This book contextualized numerous issues the maritime world had during these two hundred years. The beginning of the book describes a shipwreck of the Sea-Venture on the
The Northerners were warned about this ironclad “monster” and were waiting for this moment a long time. When the Merrimac came into view she fought the Cumberland and ended up destroying it. The shell burst into the rail and knocked down nine men of the Cumberland. In the end the Merrimac destroyed the Cumberland. But no ship in the navy ever fought as hard or as brave as the Cumberland did.
Abrashoff begins the book by informing the reader of how his story begins; when he is given command of the USS Benfold. The Benfold was the Navy’s most advanced guided missile destroyer the Navy had in 1997 and its command was to be one of the Navy’s top innovators. Unfortunately, Abrashoff points out some flaws with the Navy’s personnel management that I found to be shocking. First, was that “nearly 35 percent of the people who joined the military annually, wouldn’t complete their enlistment contracts.” (p.2) Such turnover can be understood by many business managers in the service industry, but unlike the quick and cheap training process for them, the cost for the military (taxpayers) is astounding. Abrashoff estimates that it cost roughly “$35,000 to recruit a trainee and tens of thousands more in additional training costs to get new personnel to the basic level of proficiency.” (p.2) Curbing this trend on his own ship and eventually helping to achieve a decrease overall in the mil...
Preston, Anthony. Submarines: The History and Evolution of Underwater Fighting Vessels. London: Octopus Books Limited, 1975.
Paul Revere's Ride is a collection of historical accounts centering around Paul Revere's midnight ride to warn the countryside of the battles that occurred. The novel is made up of narrative accounts that tell the whole story of the midnight ride. David Hackett Fischer goes to great lengths to cover every possible angle in telling the story. "Fischer illuminates the figure of Paul Revere, a man far more complex than a simple artisan and messenger"(3). By adding different perspectives he allows the reader to see not only the American idealistic point of view, but we get a chance to hear British accounts of these particular events. In this way Hackett Fischer paints an accurate and unbiased picture not only of Paul Revere and his ride, but also of many other supporting historical figures that were important in making these events happen.
Dull, Paul S. (1978). A Battle History of the Imperial Japanese Navy (1941–1945). US Naval Institute Press.
5. Margiotta, Franklin D., Ed. “Brassey’s Encyclopedia of Military History and Biography”, Washington: Brassey’s, Inc. 1994
Hargreaves, Reginald. Red Sun Rising: The Siege of Port Arthur. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1962.
Captain Aubrey exhibits and demonstrates leadership characteristics that inspire his crew to be the best that they can be. One of the most important leadership traits that Captain Jack has is a single-minded focus on his purpose. All of his decisions are held up against the g...
It is no secret Great Britain has been preparing for war. As Henry asked in his speech, “Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciling” (In 39). He is trying to open our eyes to the harsh reality of the war amidst us. Do all of you really believe that Britain intends to come here with their fleets to negotiate peace? No! They have come here for battle and only battle. The men in the convention themselves understood after hearing Henry’s speech that it is necessary for us to prepare. We cannot wait any longer ‘fore if we do our families and children will suffer in
McKenney, J. E. (2007). The organizational history of field artillery 1775-2003. Washington, D.C.: Center of Military History, United States Army.
Zook, David H., & Highman, Robin. (1966) A Short History of Warfare. New York, NY
However the conflict arises when James is reluctant to leave and is determined to stay with “the only brothers he has left”, in order to defend a strategic bridge who’s defense is vital in determining the immediate tide of the war. Again, Captain Miller, after already loosing two of his men, decides that Ryan and his fellow soldiers cannot hold the point on their own, and that he and his men will aid the already weakened defenders in hopes of not only defending the bridge from the Germans, but also to save Private Ryan from what would other-wise be his inevitable death.
Conclusively, Austen portrays key differences in characteristics in order to enhance her point of how some professions began to “hold out the promise of a more open society.” She pays particular interest to the navy profession as it represents the new meritocratic people who have earned their wealth. Austen’s representation using the contrasting identites of Captain Wentworth and Admiral Croft against Sir Walter Elliot serves to illuminate the growing concern of the upper class and how their shallow characteristics fail to welcome the change caused by the war.
The setting for this novel was a constantly shifting one. Taking place during what seems to be the Late Industrial Revolution and the high of the British Empire, the era is portrayed amongst influential Englishmen, the value of the pound, the presence of steamers, railroads, ferries, and a European globe.