On 21 October, 1805, the British fleet under the command of Admiral Lord Nelson defeats the ships of the French and Spanish navies at the Battle of Trafalgar. But at an enormous cost – the death of Horatio Nelson.
After witnessing HMS Victory limp back to Portsmouth, Oliver Quintrell joins other officers and men mourning the loss of Britain’s greatest seaman. The funeral at St Paul’s Cathedral is an awful spectacle.
But the ramifications of the battle are far reaching and many post captains find themselves without a commission.
Surprised by his good fortune, Captain Quintrell is granted a command, a 50-gun ship anchored in Cork Harbour.
Within days he departs Ireland and heads south but without the support of his regular crew.
Confronted with an abandoned ship and a rogue officer Oliver Quintrell faces challenges he would never expect.