It is October 1772, and the sixteen year old Richard Bolitho waits to join the Gorgon, a seventy-four gun ship of the line.
Britain is at peace with her old enemies France and Spain; but pirates still threaten British trade routes and the slave trade between Africa and the Americas continues to flourish
The Gorgon is ordered to sail to Africa's west coast to show the flag - and to destroy those who challenge the authority of the King's Navy. For Bolitho, and for many of the young, untrained crew, it is to be a testing-time as they are pitted against a ruthless enemy.