What do you think?
Rate this book
Frigates, Sloops and Brigs
Admiral Nelson's most frequent cry was for more frigates. Though not ships of the line these fast and powerful warships were the 'eyes of the fleet'. They enabled admirals to find where the enemy lay and his likely intentions, as well as patrolling vital trade routes and providing information from far-flung colonies. Together with their smaller cousins, the sloops and brigs of the Royal Navy, they performed a vital function.
Generally commanded by ambitious young men, these were the ships that could capture enemy prizes and earn their officers and men enough prize-money to set them up for life. The fictional characters Horatio Hornblower and Jack Aubrey hardly surpassed some of the extraordinary deeds of derring-do and tragedy described in these pages.
Originally published in two volumes, this book is a bargain for all who want the factual low-down on the Brylcreem Boys of Nelson's navy.
Generally commanded by ambitious young men, these were the ships that could capture enemy prizes and earn their officers and men enough prize-money to set them up for life. The fictional characters Horatio Hornblower and Jack Aubrey hardly surpassed some of the extraordinary deeds of derring-do and tragedy described in these pages.
Originally published in two volumes, this book is a bargain for all who want the factual low-down on the Brylcreem Boys of Nelson's navy.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
382 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
5 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 21, 2021
After reading the biography of Admiral Lord Nelson, this was a great book to understand the various types of ships in that era.
I enjoyed learning about 18th century sailing ships and their history. Once started reading, it was very difficult to put It down.
I enjoyed learning about 18th century sailing ships and their history. Once started reading, it was very difficult to put It down.
October 19, 2013
For 22 years in the late 18th and early 19th Centuries, Great Britain was at war almost continuously. During that time the great line of battle ships formed the backbone of the British Navy, but they only fought a handful of actions, spending the vast majority of their time blockading enemy ports.
Almost everything but blockade duty fell to the smaller ships: the frigates, sloops and brigs. This book combines two earlier works by the author into one volume, the first half being a collection of the more famous frigate actions and the second half covering the more famous actions of the even smaller sloops and brigs. The latter includes the actions of the Speedy under Thomas Cochrane, upon which the early adventures of Jack Aubrey were modeled for the Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian.
There are other actions from which O'Brian borrowed, but those of the Speedy are the most obvious.
Overall a very entertaining and informative read. Anyone with an interest in the era should check it out.
Almost everything but blockade duty fell to the smaller ships: the frigates, sloops and brigs. This book combines two earlier works by the author into one volume, the first half being a collection of the more famous frigate actions and the second half covering the more famous actions of the even smaller sloops and brigs. The latter includes the actions of the Speedy under Thomas Cochrane, upon which the early adventures of Jack Aubrey were modeled for the Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian.
There are other actions from which O'Brian borrowed, but those of the Speedy are the most obvious.
Overall a very entertaining and informative read. Anyone with an interest in the era should check it out.
Read
March 12, 2010Really good book, all about the small ships of the Royal Navy at the end of the 18th century and start of the 19th. Most of the stories about Hornblower and Jack Aubrey and so forth were robbed from real events that are covered in here. Stirring stuff!
July 26, 2011
Beautifully written, an invaluable source of historical fact. One small niggle - I don't know who edited it but almost throughout 'Ile' got converted to 'lie.' There are one or two other annoying gaffes, but in the main - brilliant book.
December 31, 2013
Fact better than any fiction
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.