1805: Captain Ramage is personally summoned by Admiral Nelson and sent to join Nelson's fleet off Cadiz where the British are blockading the French and Spanish navies.
At home in Kent, Ramage's young wife Sarah is distraught when the news reaches her that one of the biggest naval battles the world has ever known - the battle of Trafalgar - is about to take place. Sarah hopes that Ramage will manage to avoid the front line of battle. But her hopes are in vain. Fighting for his country, Ramage soon finds himself struggling to save his own life, as well as that of his fearless little frigate, Calypso...