Fatal Cruise of the Argus: Two Captains in the War of 1812 - Hardcover

Dye, Ira

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1557501750 ISBN 13: 9781557501752

Publisher: Naval Institute Press, 1994

Synopsis

This is history, vibrant and on a grand scale and rich in the details of seafaring life with a focus on an American and a British naval officer whose separate paths converge in 1813 during a fierce battle between the Argus and the Pelican.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Here is history, encompassing events from the first stirrings of the slave revolution in Haiti in 1789, through the wars at sea of the French Revolution and Napoleon and the War of 1812. It is brilliantly presented through the stories of two adventurous young naval officers, William Henry Allen of the U.S. Navy and John Fordyce Maples of the Royal Navy, who participated in many of the era's dramatic events. We are drawn into the heady and profitable prize-taking exploits of the British Navy in the West Indies, where frigate captains became rich. We witness Britain's disastrous invasion of Haiti and the anguish and frustration of the British defeat by Toussaint Louverture and yellow fever. Through Henry Allen's eyes we see the infant U.S. Navy gain strength, confidence, and tradition in the Barbary Wars. With John Maples we fight with Nelson at Copenhagen and Trafalgar and see British sea power put a stop to Napoleon's plans for a French empire in Louisiana and the American West - plans that would have crippled the young United States. But British-American antagonism bursts into violence. Promoted to captain of the U.S. Brig Argus, Allen is ordered on a commerce-destroying foray into Britain's home waters. At first highly successful, the Argus is brought to battle by H.M. Brig Pelican, under the command of John Maples, and the book's two protagonists finally meet in a sea fight. The Argus is defeated, Allen mortally wounded, and his men taken prisoner.

Review

"By its title, this book is to some extent sailing under false colors. Although its climax is the commerce-raiding cruise and eventual capture of the U.S. brig Argus during the War of 1812, its total coverage is vastly greater. It is essentially a biography of two captains--the American William Henry Allen and his British opponent, John Fordyce Maples--and their two ships, crews, and problems both professional and personal. In fact, it is a microcosmic portrait--thoroughly researched and very well written by retired naval officer and active yachtsman Dye--of the golden age of naval warfare under sail. Lovers of Napoleonic naval fiction, from the novels of Captain Marryat up to those of the currently popular Patrick O'Brian, will find a feast in the book, and it makes a worthwhile addition to serious naval history collections, too." -- Booklist

Edition details

• Publisher: Naval Institute Press
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 1557501750
• ISBN 13: 9781557501752
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 388