Captain Nicholas Turnhouse—Bloody Nick—takes his new experimental Amphion-class heavy frigate out to the Mediterranean to join the command of Old Jervie, Lord St Vincent, immediately after the Battle of the Nile.

His ship is new and powerful . . . and sails like a pig. He must make the best of it under the command of the harshest, but possibly fairest, taskmaster in the Navy.

There are still a few rich prizes left, and any number of belligerent French and Spanish ships of war, and the Barbary Rovers are enjoying their final resurgence.

For a young captain still making his name the Mediterranean has a great deal to offer, with the ever-present possibility of losing all if he takes too great a risk.

Although he has left his beloved young wife behind, Bloody Nick is off to enjoy himself again.