The Golden Ocean
First edition, publisher Rupert Hart-Davis
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| Author | Patrick O'Brian |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Historical novel |
| Publisher | Rupert Hart-Davis |
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Publication date
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1956 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) & Audio Book (Compact audio cassette, Compact Disc) |
| Pages | 288 hardback |
| ISBN | W. W. Norton edition 1994 |
| OCLC | 30111434 |
| Followed by | The Unknown Shore |
The Golden Ocean is a historical novel written by Patrick O'Brian, first published in 1956. It tells the story of a novice midshipman, Peter Palafox, who joins George Anson's voyage around the world beginning in 1740. The story is written much in the language and spelling of the mid 18th century. Palafox is a Protestant Irish boy from the west coast of Ireland, schooled by his father, a churchman, and eager to join the Royal Navy. He learns naval discipline and how to determine his ship's position at sea as part of a large berth of midshipmen on HMS Centurion. His friend Sean O'Mara joins with him, considered his servant initially by officers and put among the seamen, rising in rank as he shows his abilities, to bosun's mate.
The book contains a wealth of period detail, and includes historical figures, like Anson, the midshipman Keppel, Mr Walter, the chaplain to Anson and kind guide and keeper of the purse for Peter Palafox, and captains of other vessels in the squadron.
Reviews in 1994 found it not a mature work from the author, but showing signs of "the Conradian force that shows where O'Brian was headed as a narrative writer." It was aimed at younger readers.
In spring 1740, Peter Palafox, his friend Sean O’Mara and Sean’s uncle Liam are riding from Connaught to Cork so that Peter can join the Royal Navy as a midshipman. Sean decides to join, too, so Liam will take the horses back home. They meet Peregrine FitzGerald at the market fair, another boy heading for HMS Centurion. Both lose their money. FitzGerald meets Lord Culmore who loans him ten guineas, solving their money problems. They meet the brig Mary Rose, at Cove of Cork and reach HMS Centurion at Spithead on time. Peter is wearing all his best clothes, including a green stone given to him as a “luck giver”. On board Peter learns he must have a sea chest and a uniform. Mr Walter, the chaplain, recognizes the emerald pinned to his neck cloth, which can supply all that Peter needs. The emerald from a Spanish ship of the Armada now helps Peter as England fights Spain. Peter likes the ship HMS Centurion, but takes time to be at ease with naval discipline. Peter knows the Irish names for the parts of a ship, but not yet the English names. At dinner with Commodore Anson he meets officers on his ship and others in the squadron. Neighbor to Peter is Captain Callis, a man who loved Peter’s mother long ago and lost her to Peter’s father. Anson remarks on the terrible decision by the Admiralty to include the Chelsea pensioners (500 infirm sailors) as part of his crew.
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