Hornblower in the Indefatigable - Some History

[sarlania]

Today (January 13th) is the anniversary of Edward Pellew's most famous frigate action. On this day in 1797 he, in the Indefatigable, alone with another frigate the Amazon, fought and destroyed a French 74. This is pretty big because 74s have much greater firepower than one, even two, frigates. To cap it off, the battle was fought in a storm, with

Comments

[thehappyreturn]

Wow, someone does need to write this.

...[Hornblower] could remember as a midshipman in Pellew's Indefatigable being at the lead that wild night when they went in and destroyed the Droits de l'Homme in the Biscay surf.

And I can't think of anyone less capable of being at the lead on any ship, ever. How did they survive? :D

[sarlania]

Wow, someone does need to write this.
Indeed. *hint hint*

How did they survive?
Probably because battle mostly took part in open sea. =)

[anteros_lmc]

How did they survive?
Sounds like a combination of luck, canny seamanship from Pellew and the Droits de l'Homme inability to direct her guns due to the loss of her topmasts. Not a single life lost on the Indefatigable. Incredible.

[sarlania]

Yes it was indeed a most amazing accomplishment. I don't think Pellew got any sort of recognition out of it though, which is a pity. But then, he just got created a baronet a few months ago for swimming out to a foundering East Indianman and with the help of others managed to save everyone on board. Now that is what I call real courage. =)

Btw I was being sarcastic in my comment about the open sea and Hornblower at the lead.

[anteros_lmc]

Now that is what I call real courage. =)
Yes indeed. And he wasn't a young man at the time either! Talking of Pellew, how's this for a good job?

Lol! Missed your comment about the lead altogether! :}

[sarlania]

And he wasn't a young man at the time either!
Early forties, I think.

Talking of Pellew, how's this for a good job?
A most dashing statue. (I still prefer Robert Lindsay's looks to that of the actual Pellew but anyhow...)

[anteros_lmc]

Early forties, I think
What am I talking about? That's _very_ young! ;)