However, as in many of his naval stories, certain details are questionable if not in error. Forester has written an exciting and very readable book, detailing the adventures of his fictional naval hero. His humanity also has the upper hand when he allows his steward, charged with assault, to escape to the American frigate Constitution while anchored at Cadiz. Having married Maria for reasons he cannot adequately fathom, he is nevertheless tender and caring in those few opportunities he has to spend time with her, and later with their newborn son. Yet a more human and tender side emerges, even though he would prefer it not to. Throughout this adventurous tale Hornblower tried to maintain his composure, dignity, and honor as a Royal Naval Officer. Sent as the fifth ship sent to detain the expected Spanish treasure flota, Hornblower and Hotspur miss the capture due to a running battle with the French frigate Félicité, dispatched to aid the Spanish.

Superb navigation and seamanship enable him to prowl the rock and shoal infested approaches to Brest, and during a winter gale to make a run before the wind to shelter at Tor Bay. He is directly responsible for the destruction of a signal tower, a gun battery, and four frigates armed en-flute, trying to leave Brest for Ireland during a winter storm. When his small vessel is pursued by the frigate Loire, a vessel with which the Hotspur has recently exchanged passing honors, Hornblower knows war has resumed.Īside from keeping a close eye on the enemy fleet, Hornblower devises and carries out daring raids to deny the enemy communication, supplies, and a route to the open sea. Leaving England and his new bride in advance of the rapidly rebuilding Channel Fleet, Hornblower is soon on station off Brest.

Promoted and confirmed this time as a master and commander, he is given command of the ship-sloop Hotspur. I envision Rowley as being shorter, stouter, and a good deal more gregarious than Hornblower.Īs the Peace of Amiens draws to a close, so does Hornblower’s time as an impoverished half-pay lieutenant. Besides creating a character with a different name, I thought it best to embellish him with some different characteristics and circumstances. Rowley, Rowley fills the spot originally intended for Hornblower. For those who have read Beyond the Ocean's Edge and recall Pierce meeting a Lt. Alas, I was not able to obtain permission to include HH. Thus I tried to arrange some of the timing of my stories to match events in the Hornblower saga. I may have mentioned at one time or another that I originally intended to include Horatio Hornblower as a minor character in my Stone Island Sea Stories. Well, in the immediate aftermath of the Fourth of July and Horatio Hornblower's Birthday, here is another review of one of C.

Hornblower and the hotspur