The year is 1778. The American Continental Navy frigate Aurora, commanded by Captain Ethan Hale, is ordered to attack harbors on the east coast of England in retaliation for British raids on American shores. The French government, then at war with England, has assigned one of their ships to accompany Aurora on her mission. The Americans successfully raid their first target, but then are treacherously attacked in turn by the French ship off a dangerous coast in a storm. What follows is a shipwreck, a meeting with a kind English family and their granddaughter Lydia, a betrayal, a charge of piracy, a death sentence, a daring escape, and a perilous sea voyage, first to Spain and then across the Atlantic to the New World, culminating in a desperate sea battle between two old enemies, only one of whom can survive.
In this fast-paced tale you'll meet not only young Captain Hale, but also the brave and beautiful Lydia Forsythe, the faithful Lieutenant St. John, the dubious French Captain Beauchamps, and many more fascinating characters. The book, whose title was suggested by the declaration of the famous American naval hero John Paul Jones that "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go in harm's way," is in effect a sequel to "All The Proud Ships," a previous novel by Mr. Friend about the American Navy in the Revolutionary War.