Alexander Kent

[Dobbs]

I just finished reading "To Glory We Steer" by Alexander Kent.

Has anyone else read this? It seemed to me that there were numerous nautical and historical errors.

[Bligh]

Interesting Dobbs.
I first read those books back in the late sixties and early seventies, and with little or no knowledge of sailing. With only Hornblower with which to compare them, I enjoyed them. Short of reading matter whilst Mrs Bligh was undergoing all her trips to the hospital this year I started re reading them. In the meantime I have read many more works by more recently published writers. Whilst quite a few plot lines are very similar to those of both Kent and Foresters works,they do have far more accurate detailed nautical information within their text. Also most try to at least give reasons where they have distorted history to fit the narrative and help the flow of the storyline. I treat them all for what they are, a jolly good seafaring yarn. For accuracy I seek out one of my technical books on sailing or ask you.
However, I know exactly what you mean Dobbs.For a moment these errors jar with me as well, and then I just get on with reading the story, otherwise I would end up as mad as King George.
In short, yes you are right!

Rob.

[Cochrane]

What he said, sir It was a long time ago and I still know very little about the art of sailing - but I do remember enjoying the yarns.

Hopefully my present state of ignorance will gradually improve as I read "Seamanship in the age of Sail by Joyn Harman", a copy of which arrived today

[Bligh]

An excellent book Mike.
Rob.

[Dobbs]

Yes, that is an excellent book. I describe it to my friends as an 18th century how to sail book, but instead of how to beat your friends around the race course, it tells you how to position yourself to best blow them up.

[Cochrane]

Well it is certainly chock block full of technical detail. The language itself is already challenging - but very interesting too.

instead of how to beat your friends around the race course, it tells you how to position yourself to best blow them up

I can't help but wonder what your friends think of you studying that take on sailing!

[Dobbs]

If there are concepts you want to discuss, count me in.

[Cochrane]

If there are concepts you want to discuss, count me in.

Many thanks Dobbs - I shall keep that in mind. I'm managing so far but not taking in many of the foreign terms yet*. Good to know they are there, though, should I ever need them for an AAR. For now I shall be content to learn slowly and much of the information at the beginning of the book I am reasonably familiar with. If I make mistakes in the future I shall just have to say sorry

*Oddly enough, the only real sailing I have ever done was in my sister-in-law's dinghy on the Veerse Meer in the Netherlands, many, many moons ago. I spent a happy couple of hours with only the "grootzeil" and no "Fok" being constantly shouted at. "Bakboord" was the call, which I later learned was a kind of "get out of the way" phrase. That or keep to one side, but which I wasn't sure. - The hand gestures meant more at the time. Most enjoyable.

[DeRuyter]

Dobbs:

I agree with you on Kent. I have several in the series, but the mistakes added up. I would recommend Dudley Pope's Ramage series. Pope was in the RN so that helps! Also try Philip Allan the Alexander Clay series.

Harland's book is priceless!

[Dobbs]

I have started rereading Ramage again and am enjoying the series. I like that you can hear Pope's love of sailing in his writing.

I am reading "The Devil in Paradise" by James Haley. It's a good yarn ao far, and I like the characters. Mr Haley has a wonderful grasp of obscure nautical history. I was taken aback by mention of a vessel moving under t'gallants only and referring to the masts of a brig as the main and mizzen, rather than fore and main. It is possible that these reflect post 1812 fashions, so I shrugged them off for now.

[Dobbs]

Eric, I'll track down this Alexander Clay series at your recommendation upon conclusion of our current voyage.