This story is based around the naval campaign on Lake Erie during the war of 1812. Written from the American perspective, the principle character is a young shipyard apprentice and the book follows him as he matures. There is initially some privateer action in the Atlantic but until the climactic naval battle on the lake most of the story is land based, about the hardships those building the fleet faced and gives an insight into frontier life at the time.
Whilst for dedicated naval fiction fans not much time is spent afloat this does not detract from a very well written story with strong characterisations.
The book was written in 1943 and print copies are therefore hard to come by, but it can be read online or downloaded for your ereader.
Recommended.
Description of: The Fleet in the Forest
Author: Carl D. Lane
Available as a Free eBook from the online store