Richard Bolitho, British commodore of a small Mediterranean squadron in 1798, faces danger from the weather, the enemy, and his own men as he attempts to discover the intentions and strength of the French armada.

In 1793, Bolitho and the British warship Hyperion are trapped by the French in the Mediterranean.

Plymouth, July 1801: Richard Bolitho's small squadron, still repairing the scars of battle earned in heavy action at Copenhagen, has been months away from the sea. But the Admiralty needs Bolitho. After eight years of war with France, Britain must make a gesture that will show her strength and determination-and one which will dramatically weaken the French cause. The Admiralty wants an attack. Rear-Admiral Bolitho must follow his flag's tradition...

Leaving his new wife behind, Captain Adam Bolitho leaves on a mission to Freetown in West Africa where he finds himself the envy of other sailors as he confronts greed and corruption along with an unseen enemy.

In 1806 Vice-Admiral Sir Richard Bolitho "carries the news of Trafalgar to southern Africa, where he is to aid British ground forces in any way he can to retake Cape Town from the Dutch. ... [Then] he undertakes a secret mission to Denmark, which nearly ends in disaster and further damages his sight."--Cover.