Book
By Conduct and Courage
First published 1905
William Gilmore is an orphan raised in the fishing village of Scarcombe, where smuggling offers an obvious livelihood but little future he wants for himself. Determined to go to sea honestly, he joins the Royal Navy and quickly proves his courage and judgement in action, beginning a rise from ship’s boy to greater responsibility.
His naval career carries him through the wars with Revolutionary and Napoleonic France, including major fleet actions such as Cape St Vincent and Camperdown, as well as capture, escape and encounters with pirates. The novel uses William’s progress through the service to show the discipline, danger and opportunity of the wartime navy during the generation associated with Nelson.
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