Synopsis
Tom Chatto is back...And the turn of the twentieth century – the era of the great steamships – signals a new dawn.Now with his Master’s Certificate in hand, Tom Chatto has set his sights on becoming second officer on the Omega , a British liner bound for Valparaiso, Chile.But among the 800 passengers on board is an unwelcome face from Tom’s past. Someone who is determined to exact revenge at any cost…Adding to Tom’s troubles are the attempts of wealthy widow Grace Handley to seduce him. But with Tom already in love with the daughter of a wealthy Argentinian cattle rancher, will he be able to resist Grace Handley’s charms?Things come to a head when, around the Cape Horn, the Omega is blocked by a foundering windjammer in a blistering storm.With the lives of everyone on board in danger, Tom must use every skill and ounce of courage he has to overcome his biggest challenge yet and save the lives of all on board.A thrilling, seafaring adventure, Second Mate is the follow-up to Philip McCutchan’s Apprentice to the Sea , featuring plucky protagonist, Tom Chatto.Praise for The Tom Chatto series‘Another fine sea story from a master’ – Kirkus ReviewsPraise for Philip McCutchan‘A first rate adventure series.’ — Publishers Weekly‘A nautical war buff's feast...[McCutchan] keeps an authoritative hand on the wheel and his descriptions of battles at sea ring with laconic truth.’ — The New York Times Book Review‘His character conflicts are well organised.’ — Daily TelegraphPhilip McCutchan grew up in the naval atmosphere of Portsmouth Dockyard and developed a lifetime's interest in the sea. Military history was an early interest of his, resulting in several fiction books about the British Army and its campaigns, especially in the last 150 years. He served throughout WWII in a variety of ships, including the cruiser Vindictive, the ocean boarding vessel Largs , and the escort carrier Ravager, ending the war as a lieutenant, RNVR. He is also the author of Drums Along the Khyber.
From Kirkus Reviews
The further adventures of young Tom Chatto, who, following an auspicious series debut in old pro McCutchan's Apprentice to the Sea (1995), proves himself a mariner to be reckoned with. Having learned the ropes during the last days of the great sailing craft, Tom (second son of a well-born Irish Protestant churchman) moves on to steam-powered vessels shortly after the start of the 20th century. Rising through the officer ranks, he achieves second-mate status aboard the Orvega, a British ocean liner bound from Liverpool to Valparaiso. The voyage proves a difficult one for all hands. Influenza breaks out among the huddled masses in steerage, and the Orvega is barred from Madeira, where the captain had hoped to lay up to repair a dysfunctional valve spindle. In the meantime, Tom (who has taken the cruise as much to see his ladylove, the daughter of a wealthy Argentinean cattle rancher, as to advance an already promising career) becomes a target of opportunity for passenger Grace Handley, a lusty grass widow looking for a fresh start in the New World. Although tempted, true-blue Tom resists her efforts to bed him aboard ship and in ports of call along the eastern shore of South America. He soon faces an even sterner test during a rough transit around Cape Horn when his crippled vessel's way is blocked by a foundering windjammer. Charged with taking the derelict in hand in a stormy sea, Tom and his salty salvage crew are forced to call on all the courage and skills they acquired when sailing before the mast as they pit themselves and their battered hulk against wind and wave. Another fine sea story from a master of the difficult game, replete with credibly motivated characters and the lore of a transitional era in the maritime trade. -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
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