Forever Leftenant Rundel (book 5 of 9 of the Rundel Series)

Benjamin Rundel is sent as first leftenant aboard the Gadfly which is under the command of the son of an M.P. who has bought his son’s commission as ‘captain.’ But the young man is not interested in the sea, the war or sailing. He is a frustrated actor who is addicted to opium and has no idea of the duties of captain.

Ben must face charges of mutiny in order to safeguard the ship as he assumes the duties of captain. He manages to capture a number of French merchantmen and destroys some frigates in a cutting out exercise. In the end he is exonerated by the court martial.

On the way to Copenhagen adverse winds strand him at Deal. When his boat capsizes, he is rescued by smugglers who row the speedy ‘centipedes’ back and forth to France with contraband. After his daring escape, he takes part in the bloody battle against the Danes at Copenhagen.

He sees the crazy battle at Gibraltar before he is beached without pay when the armistice is being negotiated. Luck brings him a benefactor from a most unsuspected quarter. This is book 5 in the 9 book series about Ben Rundel.