Richard Woodmans Schriften sind tiefgründig durch ein Leben auf See geprägt, in dem er verschiedene Positionen vom Lehrling bis zum Kapitän innehatte. Er bringt authentische, gelebte Erfahrungen in seine Erzählungen ein und erforscht die Realitäten und Abenteuer des maritimen Lebens mit einem scharfen Blick für Details. Seine Prosa fängt den einzigartigen Geist und die Herausforderungen derer ein, die die Weltmeere befahren, und bietet den Lesern einen lebendigen und fesselnden Einblick in diese spezialisierte Existenz.
The narrative follows Captain John Mackinnon and his ship, the Matthew Flinders, as they embark on a final voyage to Hong Kong, symbolizing the decline of the British merchant fleet. As they navigate through turbulent waters, both literally and metaphorically, the journey is marked by unexpected unrest, highlighting themes of change and the fragility of tradition in a rapidly evolving world.
Set in 1814, the narrative unfolds after Napoleon's abdication, marking a pivotal moment in European history. King Louis XVIII returns from exile, escorted by an Allied squadron led by the Duke of Clarence. As the continent emerges from the turmoil of the Great War, it braces for the restoration of legitimate monarchy and the political shifts that accompany this significant transition. The story captures the tensions and hopes of a society on the brink of renewal.
Set against the backdrop of the 1964 Far Eastern conflict, British Royal Marine Lieutenant Charles Kirton uncovers a remarkable secret hidden within the mangrove swamps of Borneo. The narrative unfolds through a series of flashbacks, revealing the complexities of war, the impact of personal choices, and the intertwining of duty and morality. As Kirton navigates the challenges of both the battlefield and his own conscience, the story explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the search for truth amidst chaos.
Set in 1843, the story follows Captain Nathaniel Sir Drinkwater as he embarks on a journey aboard the paddle-steamer Vestal to inspect lighthouses along England's west coast. Recently pulled from retirement, the seasoned officer faces unexpected tragedy that forces him to confront his past, reflecting on his sins, triumphs, and disasters. This introspective journey intertwines personal reckoning with the responsibilities of duty.
Set in 1811 amid Napoleon's dominance in Europe, Captain Nathaniel Drinkwater is tasked by the Royal Navy to mend relations with the United States. While in the Chesapeake Bay, he uncovers a plot that could lead to the downfall of the British government. Commanding a squadron in the South Atlantic, Drinkwater faces the daunting challenge of confronting American forces, risking his reputation and grappling with the devastating realities of prolonged warfare.
The frozen splendor of the Arctic Ocean and the absorbing drama of a nineteenth century whale hunt unfold in The Corvette. Rewarded by promotion for his services at the Battle of Copenhagen, Commander Drinkwater is dispatched in haste to replace the captain of the MELUSINE, who has been shot in a duel. The ship sails as an escort to a whaling fleet on its annual expedition to the Greenland Sea in pursuit of right whales. During the whale hunt the loss of one of the vessels sets off a chain of misfortune. Disaster, death and treachery result. To repair his ship, Drinkwater seeks shelter off the Greenland coast and finds more hazards than the Arctic alone can produce. It is here that Drinkwater makes the most difficult decision of his career.
A young captain Nathaniel Drinkwater is given command of an old Ship, the Virago, to be sent to the Baltic as a bomb vessel. Drinkwater's ambition is to turn it back into a fighting ship, but his plans are thwarted. At the same time, Drinkwater's brother appeals for help in his desperate attempt to escape the gallows. As Sir Hyde Parker's fleet approaches the Danish coast, the Virago joins the battle. Amid gales and ice, Drinkwater strives to save his ship and his brother. It is 1801 and napoleon is reaching supreme power in France and has allied himself with Tsar Paul of Russia. Against this hazardous backdrop, Drinkwater's actions in the complex and bloody battle of Copenhagen are crucial.
Set against the backdrop of the 1792 French Revolution, Nathaniel Drinkwater returns to the Royal Navy aboard the cutter Kestrel, under the enigmatic command of Madoc Griffiths. As tensions rise, Drinkwater engages in perilous missions along the French coast, including the rescue of émigrés and covert operations involving agents. The narrative explores themes of duty, bravery, and the complexities of loyalty during a time of upheaval.
It is the summer of 1964 during the Far Eastern war euphemistically called ‘Confrontation.’ A British Royal Marine patrol has orders to penetrate Indonesian Borneo to locate a river thought by Allied intelligence to be in use by the Indonesians to build up supplies before launching a major attack on Sarawak. Charged with this mission, Lieutenant Charles Kirton makes a most extraordinary discovery amid the dense mangrove swamps bordering a river in Borneo. What he finds not only enables Kirton to fulfil his mission, but also turns out to be intensely personal and macabre as the truth behind the strange event is revealed. From this highly charged opening sequence, the story flashes back a century to 1867, when young Henry Kirton, second officer of the auxiliary steamship River Tay, is dumped ashore in Singapore, badly injured by a fall from the rigging of his ship. Woodman’s compelling tale has echoes of Joseph Conrad.
Captain Nathaniel Drinkwater undertakes a daring mission for the Admiralty's Secret Department by advertising a cargo of Russian military supplies. This bold scheme aims to undermine Napoleon's Continental System and provoke tensions with Czar Alexander, who has recently allied with the French Emperor. The narrative promises intrigue and high-stakes diplomacy in a historical context filled with conflict and strategic maneuvering.
