it's friday; i'm in love.
Feb. 3rd, 2006 02:51 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
quigonejinnIt looks like we're mostly settled on doing a book a month through an LJ comm w/3-5 chapters a week. A few of the books (Commodore comes to mind offhand) has a few more chapters, but it's not exactly like we'll be shutting off conversation forever and ever or whatever once the weeks pass or whatever. So yes.
However, we're still not agreed on whether to read them in publication or whatever, so we need to figure that out.
And since we're doing an LJ comm, we have to figure out WTF to call it:
[Poll #666112]
And yes. For those of you who haven't jumped in yet or who I haven't brainwashed into joining the fandom, come play with us. I promise that the books are enjoyable and fun even if you have no love of British history or ships or the wide ocean blue. The writing is lovely, and let me tell you about the overwhelming, overwhelming sweetness of Lieutenant Hornblower.
...
From the first volume of the abridged Naval Chronicles, which I started reading in earnest last night and had me thrashing in dorky, dorky delight at 5AM in the morning:
Anecdote of Lord Howe
Lord Howe, whilst Admiral of the Channel-Fleet, was at one time so unpopular in the navy, from his supposed shyness, that the officers of his own ship declined to drink his health at their mess. This was a source of mortification to the Chaplain, a protege of his Lordship's, who took the ingenious route of doing it in the following way. When called upon for a toast, he said, -- "If you please, Gentlemen, I'll give you the two first words of the third Psalm," which was immediately drank. On referring to the book, it was discovered that hte words were, "Lord! How!" After the glorious first of June, the above was the favorte toast throughout the Navy."Action between
H.M.S. Nymph and the French National Frigate Cleopatra
From the 'Historical Memoir of Naval Transactions'
The capture of the Cleopatra frigate, 40 guns, 320 men, by Captain Edward Pellew, in the Nymphe, 32 guns, 250 ment [sic], on the 18th of June, was accomplished with a gallantry not to be paralleled in any country but our own, and vindicated the superiority of the British navy. At day break he descried the enemy, who had saield three day sfrom St. Maloes, without taking any thing. Captain Pellew bore down immediately; all was silent until they came within hale; the then ordered the crew of the Nymphe from their quarters to the shrouds, when Long live King Goerge the Third! was given with three cheers. The French Captain, Monsieur Jean Mullon, ordered his ship,in the same manner, to be manned; and, coming forward on the gangway, waved his hat, exclaiming, Vive la Nation!, which his crew accompanied with three cheers. Captain Pellew's putting on his hat was the signal to the Nymphe to begin action. One more desperate was never fought; they were engaged, throughout, yard arm and yard arm. The first shot was fired about half past six in the morning. The sails and rigging were so much intermixed the engagement, that the crew of the Nympheactually went from their own yards to those of the Cleopatra, and cut men from the quarters. At length a shot from the Nymphe carried away the mizzen mast of La Cleopatra, and another disabled the wheel of her tiller, so that she became ungovernable, and fell aboard the Nymphe.
Captain Pellew, fromt he [sic] cloud of smoke in which both ships were involved, not knowing the real cause, concluded his adversary intended to board him, and prepared to receive it; when finding they did not advance, he immediately gave orders to board La Cleopatra. The first party was led by Mr. Amherst Morris, and the next by the second Lieutenant, Mr. George Luke, who himself struck the French colours, and hoisted the British flag.
One instance of cool intrepedity in our countrymen, during the action, deserves to be recorded amid the many that occured. In the heat of this most desperate engagement, the rigging of the two ships was entangled; and, as the mast of the Nymphe was much wounded, Captain Pellew was fearful, that any strain might bring it down. He therefore offered ten guineas to any man who would go up and cut the rigging; upon which two seamen, in defiance of all danger, ran up the shrounds and performed it. -- the engagement lated 55 minutes.
On the twenty-second, Captain Pellew's letter to the Admiralty appeared in the Gazette:To Mr. Stephens, dated off Portland, June 19, 1793
I have the honor to inform you that at day light yesterday morning, I was so fortunate as to fall in with the national French frigate La Cleopatra, mounting 40 guns, and manned with 320 men, commanded by Monsier Jean Mullon, three days from St. Maloes, and had taken nothing.
We brought her to close action at half past six, and in fifty-five minutes took possession of her; the two ships having fallen on board each other, we boarded from the quarter-deck, and struck her colours; and finding it impossible to clear ships, then hanging head and stern, we came to anchor, which divided us, after we had received on board 150 prisoners. The enemy fought us like brave men, neither ship firing a shot until we had hailed. Her captian was killed; three lieutenants wounded; the number of men not yet ascertained, but from the best accounts, about sixty; her mizzen mast overbard, and her tiller shot off.
I am extremely concerned she was not purchased at a less expense of valuable officers and men, on our part, whose loss I cannot sufficiently regret, and to whose gallantry I cannot possibly do justice. We had 23 men killed, and 27 wounded, of which a list is inclosed.
I am very particularly indebted to my first lieutenant, Mr. Amherst Morris, and no less so to Lieutenants George Luke, and Richard Pellowe, and I was ably seconded on the quarter deck by Lieutenant John Whitaker, of the marines, and Mr. Thomson, the master; and I hope I do not presume in recommending those officers to their Lordships protection and favour: And I should do injustice to my brother Captain Israel Pellew, who was accidentally on board, if I could possibly omit saying how much I owe him for his very distinguished company by taking upon him to directions of some guns on the main deck."
[a list of the killed and wounded]
The Nymphe, with her prize, arrived in Portsmouth Harbour on Friday the 21st. She was cheered by all the ships as she passed, and her crew returned the compliment. On Sunday evening, the 23d, the French Captain, who fell soon after the action began, was buried, by Captain Pellew, in Portsmouth Church-yard. The body was followed only by his own officers. The inscription on the coffin was dictated by them.Citoyen Mullon, Slain in battle with La Nymphe, June 18th, 1793, Aged 42 Years.
The Cleopatra was the firgate which hove in sight when Captain Faulknor, in the Venus, was engaging the Prosperine.
On Saturday the 29th of June, Captain Edward Pellew, and his brother Lieutenant [that's what the book ays] Israel Pellew, were introduced ot the King by the Earl of Chatham [the First Lord of the Admiralty]; when the former received his Majesty's thanks, with the honour of knighthood, and the latter kissed hands on being promoted ot the rank of post captain.
Annnnnd that's why Archie is pretty much peeing his pants in happiness in the movies to be transferred to the Indy. I'm sure that he would have been happy to be transferred to a raft in the middle of the Atlantic if it meant getting away from Simpson, but yes. A
Also of hysterical amazing note: Israel Pellew, Eddie's baby brother who received as a reward for his services aboard the Nymphe command of a ship called . . . Squirrel.
That's right. Big brother gets Indy. Baby brother got the SQUIRREL. Cousin Italy got the HMS Acorn Hoarder, and Aunt Venezuela was captain of HMS Tasty Leg o' Tasty Mutton with Mustard until put ashore by her munitying crew of sheep. :(
Wiki says, incidentally, that he was a volunteer, which I'm assuming was a volunteer with a little v and not a Big V. I'm also bloody well assuming that Pellew knew what rank his own brother was. O.o
And yeah. Every penny that I paid for the five-volume set is worth it just for this first book. I can't even describe the awesome -- the thing immediately after this hilariously awesome (and somewhat improbable) story about what happens when you get really, really, really bored at sea and there is no Nintendo, and OMG. OMG.
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(no subject)
Date: 2006-02-03 09:26 pm (UTC)I love reading these sorts of things. The language and the events are described in a way that can't help but make with the OMG. :D
Still thinking about the community name issue ...
(no subject)
Date: 2006-02-04 06:11 am (UTC)And yeah. The Chronicle is so badass. I've realized that it can't be pre-bed reading because otherwise, I just end up squealing and wiki'ing things for hours and hours. :/
(no subject)
Date: 2006-02-03 11:22 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-02-04 06:02 am (UTC)If you ever get the urge, though, and don't mind being spoiled, you should totally drop on by. :D
(no subject)
Date: 2006-02-04 05:08 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-02-04 05:27 am (UTC)Publication order:
Beat to Quarters
Ship of the Line
Flying Colours
Commodore Hornblower
Lord Hornblower
Mr. Midshipman Hornblower
Lieutenant Hornblower
Hornblower and the Atropos
Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies
Hornblower and the Hotspur
Hornblower During the Crisis
Chronological order:
Mr. Midshipman Hornblower
Lieutenant Hornblower
Hornblower and the Hotspur
Hornblower During the Crisis
Hornblower and the Atropos
Beat to Quarters
Ship of the Line
Flying Colours
Commodore Hornblower
Lord Hornblower
Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies
(These are the US titles; if you want the non-US translation, let me know).
(no subject)
Date: 2006-02-04 05:38 am (UTC)That depends. I buy the UK versions of the Potter books exclusively because the text is slightly different (and dumbed-down) in the American versions, at least with the early ones. If the text is the same, I'll go with whatever I can get the best price on. :)
(no subject)
Date: 2006-02-04 05:44 am (UTC)The US/everybody else title translation:
"Beat to Quarters" = "The Happy Return"
"Commodore Hornblower" = "The Commodore"
And I think they left the word "Admiral" off the last book.
:D :D :D
Date: 2006-02-04 06:01 am (UTC)Only worthwhile information in the whole damn thing: Smallbridge is thirty miles from Sheerness.
I am not buying the coincidence, guy.
Re: :D :D :D
Date: 2006-02-04 06:06 am (UTC)