Comments | anteros_lmc: The Battle of Diamond Rock

anteros_lmc

The Battle of Diamond Rock

May 31, 2014 23:47

Today, 31st May, marks the anniversary of the capture of HMS Diamond Rock by a French / Spanish squadron led by Captain Cosmao-Kerjulien in 1805. HMS Diamond Rock is an island formed by a volcanic plug which occupies a strategic position between Martinique and St Lucia, which had been audaciously fortified by Commodore Sir Samuel Hood in early ( Read more... )

naval, amazon, indefatigable, napoleon, droits de l'homme, history, age of sail

Comments 4

vespican May 31 2014, 23:50:09 UTC

I'm not familiar with this event/situation. Fascinating story, however.
Dave

anteros_lmc June 7 2014, 20:37:45 UTC

It really is a fascinating story! HMS Diamond Rock is without a doubt the most unusual command in the Royal Navy. I think O'Brien refers to it in passing, I believe some of Jack's crew may have served there.

If you can get ahold of Stuart and Eggleston's book I can highly recommend it. It's impeccably researched and a really gripping read.

asthenie_vd June 9 2014, 12:05:38 UTC

This is such a wild tale, the things these clever people thought of in a pinch, it's amazing!

I recently read the volume from Dudley Pope's Ramage novels that is based on this event, but IMO the series sadly was already in decline by then (I'm also not too fond of novels re-writing re-writing history by sticking too closely to factual events. I'd rather read accounts of the real story in those cases. Could you recommend something perhaps?).

anteros_lmc June 10 2014, 20:58:32 UTC

It's an absolutely extraordinary tale! Seriously, if you can get ahold of Stuart and Eggleston's book it's really worth getting, it's brilliantly written and impeccably researched.

I haven't read any of Pope's fiction but I was very impressed with The Black Ship. I also have At 12 Mr Byng was Shot, but I haven't got round to reading it yet.