The Fortune of War
First edition
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| Author | Patrick O'Brian |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Geoff Hunt |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Aubrey-Maturin series |
| Genre | Historical novel |
| Publisher | Collins (UK) |
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Publication date
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1979 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 280 |
| ISBN | |
| OCLC | 5658117 |
| 823/.9/14 | |
| LC Class | PZ3.O1285 Fo PR6029.B55 |
| Preceded by | Desolation Island |
| Followed by | The Surgeon's Mate |
The Fortune of War is the sixth historical novel in the Aubrey-Maturin series by British author Patrick O'Brian, first published in 1979. It is set during the War of 1812.
HMS Leopard made its way to Botany Bay, left its prisoners, and sailed to Pulo Batang where the ship was declared unfit. Captain Aubrey and some of his followers are put aboard La Flèche packet to sail home for a new commission. Fire ends the months of sweet sailing and brings them into the new war.
The Fortune of War contains lightly fictionalized accounts of two sea battles in the War of 1812.
HMS Leopard sails from Desolation Island to Port Jackson where she dropped off her few prisoners. Captain Bligh is already handled, so she proceeds to the Dutch East Indies station and Admiral Drury at Pulo Batang. Leopard is declared unfit for guns due to wood rot, and will probably be a troop transport. Jack Aubrey and his followers are to board La Flèche courier ship, as his next command, Acasta, awaits him in England. The rest of the crew is left with Admiral Drury. Maturin learns the success of his scheme to damage French intelligence sources from Wallis, and relays the name of a contact in the Royal Navy, mentioned by Louisa Wogan. They join a cricket game, ended abruptly by the arrival of La Flèche, which also brings mail to them. Captain Yorke visited Sophia Aubrey before leaving England, bringing Jack a personal letter and gifts from her.
Aubrey knew Captain Yorke and Maturin quickly warms to this captain who travels with an extensive library and a piano in his cabin. At Simon's Town, La Flèche learns of war between Britain and America. Aubrey spends this time of sweet sailing teaching the young midshipmen while Maturin is engrossed in dissection of specimens from Desolation Island and New Holland with McLean, the ship's Scottish surgeon, passing their evenings with music. One night in the Atlantic near Brazil a fire breaks out on board and all abandon ship to the small boats. A few hot weeks later one boat is picked up by HMS Java on Christmas Eve, headed for Bombay and commanded by Captain Henry Lambert.
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