The naval service of the Honourable East India Company, popularly known as the Bombay Marine, knew its share of adventure; none more than Captain Percival Merewether and the men of his ship Rapid.

From Mauritius to Teheran, from the Bay of Bengal towards Australia—weathering fierce naval battles, skirmishes with pirate fleets, and sometimes equally hazardous engagements ashore—the seas were packed with the stuff that goes to make incident. And action it was that really sparked Merewether and his men in a rousing tale that will give much pleasure to those who like a rattling good yarn.