Post Captain Summary

Post Captain

Published: 1972

Author: Patrick O'Brian

Book 2 of 21: Aubrey/Maturin Novels

Genres: Action, Adventure, British & Irish, Fiction, Historical, Literary, Literature, Medical, Military, Sea, Suspense, Thriller


Check out the review of this book here:



Summary

With the Amiens Peace, Jack Aubrey returns to England and leases a house with Stephen Maturin, with shipmates running the household while he spends time hunting. He is introduced to the Williams family. Sophia Williams, the eldest of three daughters, is courted by Aubrey, while Diana Villiers, Sophia's cousin, is pursued by Maturin. Aubrey wants to marry Sophia, but they aren't ready to commit yet. His riches vanish when his prize agent departs with his money, and the prize court discovers that two commercial ships he took were owned by neutral countries.

The court orders him to refund the worth of the ships (rather than the prize money he expected), which is a figure he cannot afford. On hearing this, Mrs. Williams whisks her girls away to Bath. Aubrey dallys with Diana, putting his friendship with Maturin to the test and demonstrating his indecisiveness on land, in contrast to his resolute methods at sea. To escape Aubrey being kidnapped for debt, Aubrey and Maturin depart England.

They find that war is impending when visiting Christy Pallière, the French captain who had seized Aubrey's first command of Sophie before the ceasefire. All English subjects are being rounded up by the French authorities. Maturin dressed as an itinerant bear trainer and Aubrey as Flora, the bear, Aubrey, and Maturin flee over the Pyrenees to Maturin's farm. They go to Gibraltar, where Aubrey and Maturin join a ship owned by the British East India Company. The ship is taken by the privateer Bellone, but Aubrey, Maturin, and the other passengers are rescued by a British squadron.

Mr. Canning, a wealthy Jewish businessman in England, offers Aubrey a letter of marque. Mrs. Williams and Cecilia are among the guests at the same party at Queeney's. Sophia stayed at home with Frances, unaware that he would be there. Mrs. Williams hears about Maturin's Spanish castle and his medical expertise, elevating his importance in her eyes. As Aubrey walks outside, an inept thief approaches him; Mr. Scriven reveals himself to be a beneficial ally, understanding the law of debt and where Aubrey may be secure from bailiffs. He and Maturin make their way to The Grapes, secure in the Savoy's Liberty.

Aubrey declines Canning's offer to command HMS Polychrest. Polychrest is a strange spacecraft that was designed as an experimental weapon but has since been abandoned. Tom Pullings should be promoted to lieutenant, he requests. Polychrest is structurally weak and sails poorly, and Parker, the first lieutenant, is unpunished. Admiral Harte, who stands to profit financially from any prizes acquired, gives Aubrey a free hand. Aubrey does not win any prizes, much to Harte's dismay. The merchants thank him after he drives the French privateer Bellone aground outside a Spanish port. Aubrey is sent to escort convoys across the English Channel by Harte. Aubrey has a reputation for loitering in port while having an affair with Diana. Maturin is dispatched to Spain on an intelligence collecting operation. Aubrey's buddy Heneage Dundas advises Maturin to warn Aubrey about his reputation with the Admiralty when he returns.

Aubrey becomes enraged when Maturin does so, and the two resolve to fight in a duel. Aubrey contacts Diana, but she is found with Canning, putting a stop to Aubrey's interest in Diana. Aubrey is given orders to attack the French port of Chaulieu in order to sink French troopships and gunboats as well as the Fanciulla. Because of Parker's severe treatment, the crew is planning a rebellion. Maturin hears their scheme and alerts Aubrey. Aubrey puts the instigators and a few loyal crew members in a ship's boat then launches the attack. He regrets his acrimonious comments to Maturin. Polychrest runs aground during the combat in Chaulieu. Three of the ship's boats are led by Aubrey to board and capture Fanciulla. Polychrest, which founders soon after leaving Chaulieu, is refloated by the successful mariners, and the crew is transferred to Fanciulla. Aubrey and Maturin rekindle their relationship after the war.

In Fanciulla, Aubrey returns to England and is appointed to Post-captain. With his debt still looming over him, he requests any instruction. HMS Lively's Captain Hamond has taken leave to sit in Parliament, and he has been designated as the ship's interim captain. When Maturin returns from Spain, he informs Sir Joseph Blaine, the chief of naval intelligence, that the Spanish would declare war as soon as four ships carrying bullion from Montevideo arrive safely in Cadiz. Sophia begs Aubrey to carry her and her sister to the Downs at Maturin's request. Aubrey and Sophia vow not to marry anyone else while onboard; Aubrey is too penniless to provide a marriage settlement acceptable to Mrs. Williams. Maturin is a good friend of Sophia's, yet he refuses to follow her advice and propose to Diana. While at the opera, he notices Diana being held captive by Canning; his anguish is palpable.

Maturin does not get compensation for his intelligence work, but he does request that Lively be included in the squadron dispatched to intercept the Spanish. The Admiralty accepts, and Maturin is tasked with negotiating the surrender of the treasure fleet. Maturin has been involved in espionage operations for Britain, according to Aubrey, because of his temporary position and relationship with the Admiralty. Aubrey recognizes that his friend has a side that he is unaware of. The Spanish convoy refuses to surrender, resulting in a fight. The Mercedes explodes, and the other three Spanish frigates (Fama, Clara, and Medea) surrender. Clara, bearing the prize, salutes Lively with her colors, much to the delight of the captain. Then he goes after Fama. He invites two of the Spanish captains, as well as Dr. Maturin, to supper, and they toast Sophia.


Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Action, Aubrey And Maturin, Billy Boyd, British Navy, Character Development, Drama, Early 19th Century, High Seas, Historical Fiction, Jack And Stephen, Jack Aubrey, Jane Austen, Master And Commander, Napoleonic Wars, Nautical Terms, Patrick O’Brian, Patrick Obrian, Paul Bettany, Peter Weir, Royal Navy, Russell Crowe, Stephen Maturin, Years Ago


Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 95/100 Yes.

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