Lord Exmouth's Commission: Part 5 and Postscript

[anteros_lmc]

Title: Lord Exmouth's Commission: Remembrance, 1817
Author: Anteros
Characters: John Thomas Serres, Lord Exmouth, (Archie Kennedy).
Rating: R
Notes: John completes Lord Exmouth's commission.

Comments

[vespican]

I've enjoyed the entire series. By the way, in the Life and Times of Horatio Hornblower by C. Northcote Parkinson, Hornblower is depicted as being Lord Exmouth's flag captain at Algiers.
Dave

[anteros_lmc]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. You know I was so wrapped up in trying to piece all the history together that I'd totally forgotten about Hornblower being flag captain at Algiers. Maybe it's just as well I forgot, I would probably have tied myself in knots trying to fit that into the chronology too!

[nodbear]

I have to say here that this has given - and still gives me great pleasure with every new read - and there will be others !
And now doubt the connection of Horatio as falg captain at algiers and history will surface again - actaully he has that role in the original " Eyes to see",Dave , though only mentioned in passing..
PArkinson had an insight there - in a way he was a better fictional biographer than he was a real one (though that is a matter for antoher book and another arena)
for William Kempthorne - another midshipman from those 1797 glory days of the Indy - after commanding the bomb vessels at Algiers wsa appointed as acting Captain of the Queen Charlotte for the return joureny and I read this December last in Gibraltar the Gibraltar Chronicle's lovely account of the new acting captain standing beside his commander and friend as the flagship came into harbour and all three batteries fired a 3 times 21 gun salute in turn

[anteros_lmc]

in a way he was a better fictional biographer than he was a real one
I'll say!

William Kempthorne - another midshipman from those 1797 glory days of the Indy
And yet another fascinating tale to be told.

I certainly would be embarrassed by a 3x21 gun salute. Deafened too I should think!

[esmerelda_t]

Have finally had chance to read, this is a lovely and original take on H/A, and I do love the thought of Pellew commisioning a portrait of Archie for Horatio, he really is the only person I can imagine would make such a gesture.

Serres's story works as a wonderful framing device, much better than the Jermemy Irons bits in Longitude :P

[anteros_lmc]

Why thank you m'dear. All credit has to go to nodbear for the idea of Pellew commissioning Serres to paint Archie's portrait.

much better than the Jermemy Irons bits in Longitude
Given your opinion on poor old Mr Irons in Longitude I'm still trying to figure out if that's a compliment or not! ;)

[hyarrowen]

Here via following_sea. I've just started reading "Eyes of the Admiralty" and have been bewitched by Serres' work, especially the sketch of the Indy leaving Start Point. I was delighted to find this fic, making two sad stories a little more hopeful. This is what fanfic is for, I think!

I've really enjoyed this clever interweaving of the two tales.

[anteros_lmc]

Thank you for your very kind comment. How wonderful to hear from another Serres fan! I do realise that JT Serres / Hornblower crossover fic is a bit a niche fandom endeavour, so I really appreciate you commenting.

I adore Serres work and it's all the more moving knowing that he was really aboard these ships and drawing them from life. If you're interested, I've written a few more posts about Serres and his work here: JT Serres.

This is my favourite Serres image of the Indefatigable. It's a tiny little thing. I have a print of it at home, but alas the original sold at auction a few years ago.

[hyarrowen]

His is a sad story - but while he was on this cruise he was doing a job he loved, in an environment that he loved, and being paid for it too! He must have been as happy as it's possible to be in this fallen world. And with agreeable company too.

I envy you that print of Indefatigable - it really brings home the meaning of the phrase "heavy frigate." She is srs bsnss.