The Fortune of War

Infobox Book |
name = The Fortune of War


image_caption =
author = Patrick O'Brian
country = United Kingdom
language = English
cover_artist = Geoff Hunt
series = Aubrey-Maturin series
genre = Historical novel
publisher = Harper Collins (UK)
pub_date = 1979
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback) & Audio Book (Cassette, CD)
pages = 280 pp (first edition, hardback)
isbn = ISBN 0-00-222498-4 (first edition, hardback) & ISBN 0-393-30813-8 (paperback edition UK)
preceded_by = Desolation Island
followed_by = The Surgeon's Mate

"The Fortune of War", (1979) is a historical novel set during the War of 1812 and written by British author Patrick O'Brian.

Plot introduction

Set during the War of 1812, The Fortune of War contains lightly fictionalized accounts of the battles between HMS "Java" and USS "Constitution", and between HMS "Shannon" and USS "Chesapeake".

The Americans capture Aubrey and become particularly suspicious of him as a former commander of HMS Leopard, due to the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair.

This book extensively explores Maturin's character while he and Aubrey languish in captivity in Boston, as he can manifest his various roles; doctor, spy, and tormented lover. It continues the account of Maturin's pursuit of Diana Villiers, with whom he remains deeply in love.

Plot summary

After almost losing the "Leopard" to the ocean, Aubrey and his much reduced crew limp into harbour in the Dutch East Indies. He reports to the Admiral on station, Admiral Drury, who he has known on and off for the last twenty years. Aubrey finds he is to relinquish the much diminished "Leopard", now only good enough to be used as a transport ship, and return to Portsmouth. He argues vigorously with the Admiral for the privilege of taking the prime officers and men with him - a traditional naval custom and one that the admiral himself used - and eventaully prevails. Meanwhile Maturin meets up with fellow agent of the crown, Mr Willis, who appraises Stephen of the news from Britain and the highly successful progress of the intrigues involving Louisa Wogan. Before leaving, Leopard's crew take on the crew of the HMS "Cumberland" at a game of cricket in which Dr Maturin unwittingly (and hilariously) reverts to the similar Irish sport of hurling.

So they ship in HMS "La Fleche" for the voyage back, commanded by Captain Yorke. Travelling with an extensive library in his cabin, he is clearly a well read man and Maturin warms immediately to his charming host. It is at this time that news reaches "La Fleche" of war between Britain and America. Aubrey spends his time during the voyage teaching the young midshipmen while Maturin is engrossed in dissections with McLean, the ship's Scottish surgeon and a brilliant anatomical naturalist. One night a fire breaks out on board and within moments the crew and its Leopard passengers have to abandon ship in the South Atlantic. A few weeks later they are fortunately picked up by an ex Portuguese vessel, the "Java", already laden with passengers headed for Bombay and commanded by a Captain Lambert.

They rendezvous with Lambert's prize, the "William" off the coast of Brazil, and soon the watch aloft hails a ship hull up on the horizon, the USS "Constitution", which they immediately pursue. Jack and his Leopoards man two guns but the ensuing fight goes badly when the "Java"s foremast gives way. The American commander makes few mistakes and eventually the "Java" is forced to strike its colours. "Constitution" has to return to Boston to refit and during the voyage Maturin strikes up conversation with a French passenger, Pontet-Canet, and Mr Evans, the amiable ship's surgeon. Hopes are high for the wounded Captain Lambert's survival but he dies of his wounds and grief after arriving ashore. Aubrey, who was shot in one arm, manages against expectations to survive.

Once in Boston, Aubrey convalesces from his wounds in Dr Choate's hospital for "lunatics" waiting for the next prisoner exchange. He is caught unawares when, amidst this type of "unhinged" patient, a Jahleel Brenton of the Navy Department starts to quiz him about the behaviour of the "Leopard" and its dealings with the US merchantman, the "Alice B. Sawyer". Maturin meanwhile is reacquainted with both Louisa Wogan and Michael Herapath and the latter's father - a wealthy merchant and former Loyalist - who still feels sympathy towards the British. Maturin meets Diana Villiers once again, now the mistress of an American spymaster, Howard Johnson. Johnson visits Aubrey who, unawares, makes free with his comments about Dr Maturin, only to realise his folly later in a bedside conversation with Stephen.

Aubrey is frustrated by his enforced inactivity whilst Maturin meets trouble at the hands of the French in the persons of Pontet-Canet and Dubreuil. During the second attempt to accost Maturin, he escapes to Diana Villiers' rooms in the Franchon hotel and kills both Frenchmen when they come searching for him. Stephen also discovers that Johnson had secretly opened a letter from Diana stating her love and regard for him and thus their need to escape becomes paramount. Enlisting the help of the older Mr. Herapath and a small ugly slab-sided fishing boat from one of his trading vessels, Aubrey, Maturin and Diana escape out to sea. They manage to rendezvous with the thirty-eight gun frigate, "Shannon", entering the outer harbour on blockade duty and are taken on board. As his water supplies aboard the "Shannon" are coming to an end, Captain Broke - a cousin and childhood friend of Jack's - writes to Captain Lawrence, the commander of the thirty-eight gun "Chesapeake" lying in harbour, challenging him to come out and fight. This tactic proves effective and Lawrence honourably brings his ship out of Boston Harbour to the open sea, to engage the "Shannon". The "Shannon"'s crew has had long years of practice at her great guns, aptly demonstrated to Jack Aubrey in practice, and the resultant clash brings about the British Navy's first victory in the war (having already lost three frigates).

Characters in "The Fortune of War"

British et al.:
*Jack Aubrey - Former Captain of HMS "Leopard".
*Stephen Maturin - ship's surgeon, friend to Jack and an intelligence officer.
*Sophie Williams - Jack's wife
*Diana Villiers - a love interest of Stephen's and cousin of Sophie's.
*Barret Bonden - the captain's coxswain.
*Preserved Killick - Aubrey's every loyal servant.
*Babbington - 1st lieutenant in the "Leopard"
*Captain Moore - commands the Marines in the "Leopard"
*Admiral Drury - admiral on station at Pulo Batang in the Dutch East Indies.
*Captain Yorke - captain of HMS "La Fléche".
*Warner - 1st lieutenant in "La Fléche".
*McLean - ship's surgeon in "La Fléche".
*Captain Lambert - captain of the "Java".
*Chads - 1st lieutenant in "Java".
*General Hislop - Governor-designate of Bombay.
*Captain Philip Broke - captain of the "Shannon."
*Watt - 1st lieutenant in the "Shannon."

American:
*Michael Herapath - an American stow away who runs from the "Leopard" with Mrs. Wogan.
*Louisa Wogan - an attractive young woman who has spied on the British.
*Howard Johnson - a Republican and counsellor to the U.S. Secretary of State.
*Evans - surgeon in the "Constitution".
*Commodore Bainbridge - commander of "Constitution".
*Jahleel Brenton - of the American Navy Department.
*Captain Lawrence - captain of the "Chesapeake".

French:
*Pontet-Canet - Frenchman travelling to America.
*Dubreuil - French spy in Boston.

hips in "The Fortune of War"

The British:
*HMS "Leopard" - a 50 gun fourth rate (converted to troop transport)
*HMS "La Fléche" - a 20 gun sixth rate
*HMS "Cumberland" - a 74 gun third rate
*HMS "Java" - a 38 gun frigate
*HMS "Shannon" - a 38 gun frigate
*HMS "Aeolus" - a 32 gun frigate
*HMS "Belvidera" - a 36 gun frigate

The Americans:
*USS "Constitution" - a 44 gun frigate
*USS "Chesapeake" - a 38 gun frigate
*USS "President" - a 44 gun frigate
*USS "Congress" - a 38 gun frigate

Others:
*"Java" - a Portuguese

Allusions/references to actual history, geography and current science

The two frigate actions, "Java" against the "Constitution" and "Shannon" against the "Chesapeake" that form the basis of the narrative are real events although transformed for storytelling effect by O'Brian. One of which can be researched with reference to the "Memoir of Admiral Sir P. B. V. Broke, Bart., KCB, etc (London, 1866) [Referenced in the novel's "Author's note"]

HMS "Shannon" vs. USS "Chesapeake"

Initial engagement

The two ships met at half past five in the afternoon, 20 miles east of Boston lighthouse, between Cape Ann and Cape Cod on June 1, 1813. Shannon was flying a rusty blue ensign and her dilapidated outside appearance after a long period at sea suggested that she would be an easy opponent. Observing the Chesapeake’s many flags, a sailor had questioned Broke: "Mayn't we have three ensigns, sir, like she has?" "No," said Broke, "we've always been an unassuming ship." [4] The two ships opened fire just before 18:00 at a range of about 35 metres, with Shannon scoring the first hit, striking the Chesapeake on one of her gunports with two round shot and a bag of musket balls fired by William Mindham, the gun captain of one of Shannon’s starboard 18-pounders. Two or three further broadsides followed which swept the Chesapeake’s decks with grape and roundshot from Shannon’s 32-pounder carronades. The Chesapeake fell on board Shannon, lying athwart her starboard bow, trapped by one of Shannon’s anchors.

Shannon now opened fire on the Chesapeake’s maindeck with her after guns firing through the Chesapeake’s port holes. Many of Chesapeake’s crew were killed or wounded, with two thirds of her gun crews already casualties. The Chesapeake’s wheel was then shot away and her helmsman killed by a 9-pounder gun that Broke had ordered installed on the quarter deck for that very purpose. Trapped against the Shannon and unable to manoeuvre away, the stern now became exposed and was swept by raking British fire. Her situation worsened when a small open cask of musket cartridges abaft the mizzen-mast blew up. When the smoke cleared, Captain Broke judged the time was right and gave the order to board. Lawrence had also tried to give the order to board but the British were faster.

The British board

Captain Broke led the boarding party aboard the ChesapeakeMr Stevens, the boatswain attempted to lash the two ships together to prevent the Chesapeake from disengaging and escaping, and lost an arm as he did so. A party of small-arm men rushed aboard the Chesapeake, led by Broke and including the purser, Mr G. Aldham, and the clerk, Mr John Dunn. Aldham and Dunn were killed as they crossed the gangway, but the rest of the party made it onto the Chesapeake.

"Captain Broke, at the head of not more that twenty men, stepped from the rail of the waist-hammock netting to the muzzle of the after-carronade of the Chesapeake, and sprang from thence upon her quarterdeck." [5]

The main-deck was found to be empty, having been swept clear by Shannon’s broadsides. Broke and his men quickly advanced forward along the deck, whilst more British reinforcements leapt aboard.

Meanwhile, the First lieutenant, Mr George T. L. Watt, had attempted to hoist the British colours over the Chesapeake, but was hit in the forehead by grapeshot as he did so. Fighting had now broken out along the top-masts of the ships as rival sharpshooters fired upon the their opponents in their rival's masts, and on the sailors on the exposed decks. The British marksmen, led by midshipman William Smith, who had command of the fore-top, stormed the Chesapeake’s fore-top over the yard-arm and had killed all the Americans there. Captain Broke himself led a charge against a number of the Americans who had managed to rally on the forecastle. After four minutes of fierce fighting, the Americans called for quarter, but finding themselves superior in numbers to the British, they rallied and counter attacked. Three American sailors, probably from the rigging, descended and attacked Captain Broke. Taken by surprise, he killed the first, but the second hit him with a musket which stunned him, whilst the third sliced open his skull with his sabre, knocking him to the deck. Before he could finish Broke off, he was cut down by William Mindham, and the Shannon’s crew rallied to the defence of their captain and carried the forecastle, killing the remaining Americans.

Broke handed over command of the Shannon to Lieutenant Wallis. Though wounded, Broke was able to save the life of a young American midshipman who had slid down a rope from the fore-top. With American resistance weakening, Lieutenant Charles Leslie Falkiner who had commanded the boarders who had rushed the main-deck, took command of the prize. Whilst the two yard-arms had been locked together, Mr Cosnaham, who had commanded the main-top, had crawled out on the main yard-arm where he could fire down onto the Chesapeake, killing three of her men.

The "Chesapeake" is taken

The British then secured the ship and took her surrender. The engagement had lasted just eleven minutes. Shannon had lost 23 killed, and had 56 wounded. Chesapeake had about 60 killed, including her four lieutenants, the master and many other of her officers, and about as many wounded. Captain Lawrence had been mortally wounded by fire from Shannon’s fore-top and was carried below before the Chesapeake was boarded. His last order upon being wounded was "Don't give up the ship!". A large cask of un-slaked lime was found open on Chesapeake’s forecastle and another bag of lime was discovered in the fore-top. The intention was to throw handfuls into the eyes of Shannon’s men as they attempted to board. This was regarded as unfair and dishonourable by the British sailors. Shannon’s midshipmen during the action were Messers. Smith, Leake, Clavering, Raymond, Littlejohn and Samwell. Samwell was the only other officer to be wounded in the action. Mr Etough was the acting master, and conned the ship into the action. Shortly after the frigate had been secured, Broke fainted from loss of blood and was rowed back to the Shannon to be attended to by the ship's surgeon. After the victory, a prize crew was put aboard the Chesapeake and the Shannon escorted her and her crew into Halifax, arriving there on 6 June. There the sailors were imprisoned and the ship was repaired and taken into service by the Royal Navy. The Chesapeake was sold at Portsmouth, England in 1820 and broken up.

Literary significance & criticism

Critical readers regard the degree of freedom the French agents have in Federalist Boston as most improbable (the local authorities somewhat frowned on the French); nor does the somewhat loose guard on Aubrey in the novel seem entirely plausible.

Reviews

"On every page Mr. O'Brian reminds us with subtle artistry of the most important of all historical lessons: that times change, but people don't, that the griefs and follies and victories of the men and women who were here before us are in fact the maps of our own lives."— Richard Snow, "New York Times Book Review" [ [http://www.nytimes.com/books/98/10/18/specials/obrian-comesin.html Richard Snow, "New York Times Book Review" as quoted in Mark Horowitz, "Patrick O'Brian's Ship Comes In ", "NYTBR", May 16, 1993] ]

Publication details

*1979, UK, Collins (ISBN 0-00-222498-4), pub date ? ? 1979, hardback (First edition)
*1980, UK, Fontana (ISBN 0006159931), pub date 29 May 1980, paperback
*1980, UK, Collins (ISBN 002224984), pub date ? ? 1989, hardback
*W. W. Norton & Company; Paperback reprint edition (1991) (ISBN 0393308138)
*William A. Thomas Braille Bookstore; Hardcover edition (1992)
*Books on Tape; Audio edition (1992) (ISBN 5555358717) (ISBN 1569564183)
*W. W. Norton & Company; Hardcover edition (1994) (ISBN 0393037061)
*Thorndike Press; Hardcover Large-print edition (2001) (ISBN 0754015882)
*Thorndike Press; Paperback Large-print edition (2001) (ISBN 0754024490)
*Recorded Books, LLC; Unabridged Audio edition narrated by Patrick Tull (ISBN 1402591772)

ources, references, external links, quotations

Footnotes