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The Decoy Ships #2
Warley
England is at war with the French. The East India Company is at risk of losing its trade routes.
Tom Batrick arrives in London. For the past ten years he’s worked his way up the ranks on ships patrolling Canadian waters. Now, at the request of the East India Company, he is to Captain the merchant ship Warley.
But Warley is a disguised warship.
It will act as a decoy to lure pirates, as well as French ships, away from British trade.
But as Tom sails to India and China, he discovers Warley’s mission is not just to fight off enemy attacks. The ship is crucial to the East India Company’s undercover trade in opium.
Outlawed by China, the Company is smuggling opium to bolster its profits, regardless of its addictive and deadly effects.
Warley is considered a perfect transport for the precious cargo. But at what cost to Tom and his crew?
Tom Batrick arrives in London. For the past ten years he’s worked his way up the ranks on ships patrolling Canadian waters. Now, at the request of the East India Company, he is to Captain the merchant ship Warley.
But Warley is a disguised warship.
It will act as a decoy to lure pirates, as well as French ships, away from British trade.
But as Tom sails to India and China, he discovers Warley’s mission is not just to fight off enemy attacks. The ship is crucial to the East India Company’s undercover trade in opium.
Outlawed by China, the Company is smuggling opium to bolster its profits, regardless of its addictive and deadly effects.
Warley is considered a perfect transport for the precious cargo. But at what cost to Tom and his crew?
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2024
About the author
Christopher C. Tubbs
38 books116 followersBiography
I am descendent of a long line of Dorset clay miners and have chased my family tree back to the 16th century in the Isle of Purbeck. I have been a public speaker at conferences for most of my career in the Aerospace and Automotive industries and was one of the founders of a successful games company back in the 1990’s.
Now in my sixties, and living in the Netherlands Antilles, I finally got to write the stories I had going around in my head for many years. Thanks to inspiration from the great sea authors like Alexander Kent, Dewey Lambdin, Patrick O’Brian and Dudley Pope I was finally able to put digit to keyboard and start writing the Dorset Boy series.
I make no apologies that I write for myself. The stories emerge as I write and I am often surprised by the twists and turns that they take.
I am descendent of a long line of Dorset clay miners and have chased my family tree back to the 16th century in the Isle of Purbeck. I have been a public speaker at conferences for most of my career in the Aerospace and Automotive industries and was one of the founders of a successful games company back in the 1990’s.
Now in my sixties, and living in the Netherlands Antilles, I finally got to write the stories I had going around in my head for many years. Thanks to inspiration from the great sea authors like Alexander Kent, Dewey Lambdin, Patrick O’Brian and Dudley Pope I was finally able to put digit to keyboard and start writing the Dorset Boy series.
I make no apologies that I write for myself. The stories emerge as I write and I am often surprised by the twists and turns that they take.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 10, 2024
In the Age of Sale there were wars and there were pirates. A merchant ship had a lot to be ware of. Tom Batrick, a “Dorset man,” made his reputation across the Atlantic and he came back interested in trying his luck with the British East India Company. His interest was rewarded by become the first captain of a new type of merchantman, a “decoy ship.” This book is a fast moving chronicle of his early adventures. (It can be read on its own, and I would recommend that you considered reading this one before reading Book 1, Kingfisher. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
"We exist to teach both pirates and the French that Company ships have teeth. Now we need to sharpen them and fight as well as the ships in His Majesty’s navy.”"
Tubbs provides us will well-researched scenes enlightening the dry descriptions of these situations, that are prevalent from historians. He has chosen to do so with a tone that may offend those of delicate sensibilities. Take these snippets of a trip to London:
"They smelled London before they saw it, as they sailed up the Thames. “Bugger me! What is that stink?” Tom asked the skipper. “That, my boy, is the smell of civilisation. The shit and sweat of a million people. Look at the river.” Turds, dead animals and even the occasional body floated by…"Rather than walk through the filth that seemed to cover the roads and pavements, they hired a coach and driver to take them around. That’s when they found out how noisy a city like London could be; the roads were cobbled. There were horses everywhere, pulling carts or carriages — with iron-rimmed wheels that set up a cacophony of sound far louder than anything they were used to — and depositing shit all over the road."
Tubbs has definitely moved up in my lists, not just for his storytelling, but for ability to convey what make historical novels memorable, the details: "At the docks, ballast was being delivered and placed in the bilges. Arriving by barge, it was waste rubble from the stone quarries on the Isle of Purbeck, where they mined Purbeck marble — the lowest-quality stone that had to be removed to get to the good stuff. The ballast was lifted in large buckets, raised by A frames fitted to the barges, which was a delicate job as a dropped rock could damage the hull. It also had to be packed properly, so it trimmed the ship correctly and didn’t shift."
This is a sea-tale of the British East India Company’s merchant fleet, and a young captain who has a unique task to make sure that the French and pirates would think twice before attacking one of the Company’s merchantmen. It is exciting, informative and has enough character development to satisfy. If you like the Era of Tall Ships, then you will likely find this very enjoyable.
4.5 *
Above is my review; below are some quotations on various topics that should give you a sense of what Tubbs is capable of:
Shipcraft –
"The Warley broke free of the land and glided forward. Tom stood at the wheel with the helmsman watching a lookout in the bow, who held a lantern with coloured glass in its windows. He guided them past other anchored ships by showing them white for straight ahead, red for turn to port and green for turn to starboard. It helped that every ship showed harbour lights and Tom could see their silhouettes against the night sky, but the lamp was his guiding light."
"The effect of the increase in speed was like a long, coiled spring. The column extended as each ship took time to react to the increase in speed of the one in front, then contracted as they tried to resume their position and invariably overshot. After a few bounces and stalls, they settled down. Tom decided then and there he hated convoys."
"“Signal the Anna-Marie to close up,” he told the signal boy for the third time that morning. As a former privateer, Tom knew that any stragglers or ships that dropped out of formation would be the first target for privateers and pirates. He had made good money picking off those ships in the past and knew they were invariably the oldest and poorest-manned ships in the convoy. He even suspected that some were sent out to be taken, so the owners could claim the insurance."
"“How come you didn’t see them?” he barked at the lookout as he scanned the horizon. There were three distinct sets of topsails coming over the horizon. French cut, first could be a liner, the other two frigates. Then, as he was about to put the telescope away, another sail appeared. And that is the corvette. Now, where is the brig? He waited patiently. Oh, there she is, tagging along at the back. He took a stay to the deck."
Weaponry –
"What are you carrying now?” “Thirty-four eighteens and twelve sixes.” Sellers pursed his lips and looked into space as he thought. “I think a better balance between long- and short-range guns would be to swap out the sixes for twenty-fours and four of your eighteens for thirty-twos. That would keep you at around the same all up weight, while increasing your fire power by one hundred and sixty-four pounds.” “That would be perfect,” Tom said. “What loads would you recommend?” “Ball for smashing large ships and in your case, small ball and canister to counter boarding.”"
"Tom intended the forward pair of eighteens and those in his cabin to be replaced, as well as the sixes on the poop deck. His cabin had to be opened to allow access and that entailed taking away the planking of the wall below the poop deck. The carpenters were busy, as not only did they have to take the wall away but they also had to change the gun mounts to suit carronades and reshape the gun ports as well. Tom was pleased: the footprint of the carronades was much less than the eighteens and he had more room in his cabin. They could take out the ring bolts, as well. Apart from the slight inconvenience of an iron strip set into the deck for the carronades pivot wheel to run on, it was a great improvement."
Action –
"The first junk came alongside, and hooks arced over to pull the ships together. There were too many to cut, so the men concentrated on thinning out the pirates before they got aboard. The main guns, depressed to the limit, could send grape down into any junk that tied up next to the first junk. The swivels and blunderbusses fired down into the ship immediately alongside. Of course, the pirates tried to suppress the gunners by firing muskets and arrows at them. The gunners responded by lobing grenades over the rail into the tightly-packed men. Four pirates swarmed over the rail on the leeward side of the poop deck. Tom levelled his piece and pulled the trigger. At twenty feet the shot and scrap metal spread wide enough to take three of them down. The fourth staggered as he was hit by a solitary piece of scrap, but kept coming. Tom threw the blunderbuss at him, pulled a pistol from his belt, and shot him dead centre in the chest. Now was the time for the hack and slash of swordplay."
"“Get the pumps started and let me know the depth in an hour.” The crew manned the chain pumps and the clank, swoosh as they turned them could be heard throughout the ship. The pump worked by the simple arrangement of a crank attached to a sprocket which moved an endless chain through a pipe that ran down to the bilges and back up in a continuous loop. Bell-shaped buckets fitted to the chain lifted the water and dumped it into a sluice that took it overboard. After an hour, they had reduced the height to eighteen inches."
"A gunner grinned at her over the barrel of the gun he was training. She grinned back then shot a pirate that appeared at the rail beside him. The pistol was dropped in favour of her second sword. The soldiers waited until heads appeared above the rail, then swung their razor-sharp blades along it. The heavy blade sliced through necks and shoulders with ease, sending sprays of blood spurting out to rain down on the men below. Corpses fell back into the ship they had come from, now just dead meat that got in the way or landed on their former shipmates."
"There was a grunt and a head appeared, wreathed in blonde hair. “That was a nice little fight,” Freyja said as she pulled herself aboard. Tom stood, open-mouthed, not knowing what to say."
Politics –
"…the Warley led the embryonic convoy down the Thames. Tom had argued with the port authority that they only needed one pilot, however the authority had insisted that each ship carry one. Tom knew that this was the guild of pilots protecting the jobs of its members, since convoying could cut their income drastically. The same reasoning prevented the City from creating more bridges across the Thames. The watermen were a powerful guild and opposed anything that might reduce either the number of men, or their power, or both."
"“The Abergavenny was under manned. I spoke to one of the other first mates who knew her when we were in Penang, and he said they only had twenty-five crew and most of them were lascars.” “That explains it, then.” Tom blew out his cheeks. “Well, they will all be dead now and the cargo lost.” “Lloyds will cover it — if they were insured.” “Isn’t that part of the problem? Owners underman ships and Lloyds still insure them. The owner cannot lose.”"
Life in general –
"Peter returned to the ship with two sides of beef, a five-rib of beef, a goose, sausages, a ham, pork knuckles, beef bones and bacon, kale, parsnips, Swedish turnip, carrots, onions, potatoes, leeks and Brussels sprouts. A basket of thyme, sage and parsley topped off the savouries. He had bottled peaches and pears in sugar syrup, several gallons of cream, suet, flour, dried fruit, preserved lemons, cheeses and nuts. Another boat followed with casks of best Dorset beer, cases of wine, sherry, port and brandy. He had spent the entire budget. From then on, the ship was enveloped in the smells of cooking. First, he had the ship’s cook roast the beef bones and pork knuckles then put them in kettles of water with beer, carrots, onions, leeks, herbs, pepper and cloves to make a meat stock."
"It was April. The lanes were lined with blackthorn and wild cherry blossom and the banks swathed in primroses and celandine. The fields were dotted with dandelions and cowslips. Birds sang their stories of nests and challenges over territory. As the day warmed, early butterflies emerged."
"We exist to teach both pirates and the French that Company ships have teeth. Now we need to sharpen them and fight as well as the ships in His Majesty’s navy.”"
Tubbs provides us will well-researched scenes enlightening the dry descriptions of these situations, that are prevalent from historians. He has chosen to do so with a tone that may offend those of delicate sensibilities. Take these snippets of a trip to London:
"They smelled London before they saw it, as they sailed up the Thames. “Bugger me! What is that stink?” Tom asked the skipper. “That, my boy, is the smell of civilisation. The shit and sweat of a million people. Look at the river.” Turds, dead animals and even the occasional body floated by…"Rather than walk through the filth that seemed to cover the roads and pavements, they hired a coach and driver to take them around. That’s when they found out how noisy a city like London could be; the roads were cobbled. There were horses everywhere, pulling carts or carriages — with iron-rimmed wheels that set up a cacophony of sound far louder than anything they were used to — and depositing shit all over the road."
Tubbs has definitely moved up in my lists, not just for his storytelling, but for ability to convey what make historical novels memorable, the details: "At the docks, ballast was being delivered and placed in the bilges. Arriving by barge, it was waste rubble from the stone quarries on the Isle of Purbeck, where they mined Purbeck marble — the lowest-quality stone that had to be removed to get to the good stuff. The ballast was lifted in large buckets, raised by A frames fitted to the barges, which was a delicate job as a dropped rock could damage the hull. It also had to be packed properly, so it trimmed the ship correctly and didn’t shift."
This is a sea-tale of the British East India Company’s merchant fleet, and a young captain who has a unique task to make sure that the French and pirates would think twice before attacking one of the Company’s merchantmen. It is exciting, informative and has enough character development to satisfy. If you like the Era of Tall Ships, then you will likely find this very enjoyable.
4.5 *
Above is my review; below are some quotations on various topics that should give you a sense of what Tubbs is capable of:
Shipcraft –
"The Warley broke free of the land and glided forward. Tom stood at the wheel with the helmsman watching a lookout in the bow, who held a lantern with coloured glass in its windows. He guided them past other anchored ships by showing them white for straight ahead, red for turn to port and green for turn to starboard. It helped that every ship showed harbour lights and Tom could see their silhouettes against the night sky, but the lamp was his guiding light."
"The effect of the increase in speed was like a long, coiled spring. The column extended as each ship took time to react to the increase in speed of the one in front, then contracted as they tried to resume their position and invariably overshot. After a few bounces and stalls, they settled down. Tom decided then and there he hated convoys."
"“Signal the Anna-Marie to close up,” he told the signal boy for the third time that morning. As a former privateer, Tom knew that any stragglers or ships that dropped out of formation would be the first target for privateers and pirates. He had made good money picking off those ships in the past and knew they were invariably the oldest and poorest-manned ships in the convoy. He even suspected that some were sent out to be taken, so the owners could claim the insurance."
"“How come you didn’t see them?” he barked at the lookout as he scanned the horizon. There were three distinct sets of topsails coming over the horizon. French cut, first could be a liner, the other two frigates. Then, as he was about to put the telescope away, another sail appeared. And that is the corvette. Now, where is the brig? He waited patiently. Oh, there she is, tagging along at the back. He took a stay to the deck."
Weaponry –
"What are you carrying now?” “Thirty-four eighteens and twelve sixes.” Sellers pursed his lips and looked into space as he thought. “I think a better balance between long- and short-range guns would be to swap out the sixes for twenty-fours and four of your eighteens for thirty-twos. That would keep you at around the same all up weight, while increasing your fire power by one hundred and sixty-four pounds.” “That would be perfect,” Tom said. “What loads would you recommend?” “Ball for smashing large ships and in your case, small ball and canister to counter boarding.”"
"Tom intended the forward pair of eighteens and those in his cabin to be replaced, as well as the sixes on the poop deck. His cabin had to be opened to allow access and that entailed taking away the planking of the wall below the poop deck. The carpenters were busy, as not only did they have to take the wall away but they also had to change the gun mounts to suit carronades and reshape the gun ports as well. Tom was pleased: the footprint of the carronades was much less than the eighteens and he had more room in his cabin. They could take out the ring bolts, as well. Apart from the slight inconvenience of an iron strip set into the deck for the carronades pivot wheel to run on, it was a great improvement."
Action –
"The first junk came alongside, and hooks arced over to pull the ships together. There were too many to cut, so the men concentrated on thinning out the pirates before they got aboard. The main guns, depressed to the limit, could send grape down into any junk that tied up next to the first junk. The swivels and blunderbusses fired down into the ship immediately alongside. Of course, the pirates tried to suppress the gunners by firing muskets and arrows at them. The gunners responded by lobing grenades over the rail into the tightly-packed men. Four pirates swarmed over the rail on the leeward side of the poop deck. Tom levelled his piece and pulled the trigger. At twenty feet the shot and scrap metal spread wide enough to take three of them down. The fourth staggered as he was hit by a solitary piece of scrap, but kept coming. Tom threw the blunderbuss at him, pulled a pistol from his belt, and shot him dead centre in the chest. Now was the time for the hack and slash of swordplay."
"“Get the pumps started and let me know the depth in an hour.” The crew manned the chain pumps and the clank, swoosh as they turned them could be heard throughout the ship. The pump worked by the simple arrangement of a crank attached to a sprocket which moved an endless chain through a pipe that ran down to the bilges and back up in a continuous loop. Bell-shaped buckets fitted to the chain lifted the water and dumped it into a sluice that took it overboard. After an hour, they had reduced the height to eighteen inches."
"A gunner grinned at her over the barrel of the gun he was training. She grinned back then shot a pirate that appeared at the rail beside him. The pistol was dropped in favour of her second sword. The soldiers waited until heads appeared above the rail, then swung their razor-sharp blades along it. The heavy blade sliced through necks and shoulders with ease, sending sprays of blood spurting out to rain down on the men below. Corpses fell back into the ship they had come from, now just dead meat that got in the way or landed on their former shipmates."
"There was a grunt and a head appeared, wreathed in blonde hair. “That was a nice little fight,” Freyja said as she pulled herself aboard. Tom stood, open-mouthed, not knowing what to say."
Politics –
"…the Warley led the embryonic convoy down the Thames. Tom had argued with the port authority that they only needed one pilot, however the authority had insisted that each ship carry one. Tom knew that this was the guild of pilots protecting the jobs of its members, since convoying could cut their income drastically. The same reasoning prevented the City from creating more bridges across the Thames. The watermen were a powerful guild and opposed anything that might reduce either the number of men, or their power, or both."
"“The Abergavenny was under manned. I spoke to one of the other first mates who knew her when we were in Penang, and he said they only had twenty-five crew and most of them were lascars.” “That explains it, then.” Tom blew out his cheeks. “Well, they will all be dead now and the cargo lost.” “Lloyds will cover it — if they were insured.” “Isn’t that part of the problem? Owners underman ships and Lloyds still insure them. The owner cannot lose.”"
Life in general –
"Peter returned to the ship with two sides of beef, a five-rib of beef, a goose, sausages, a ham, pork knuckles, beef bones and bacon, kale, parsnips, Swedish turnip, carrots, onions, potatoes, leeks and Brussels sprouts. A basket of thyme, sage and parsley topped off the savouries. He had bottled peaches and pears in sugar syrup, several gallons of cream, suet, flour, dried fruit, preserved lemons, cheeses and nuts. Another boat followed with casks of best Dorset beer, cases of wine, sherry, port and brandy. He had spent the entire budget. From then on, the ship was enveloped in the smells of cooking. First, he had the ship’s cook roast the beef bones and pork knuckles then put them in kettles of water with beer, carrots, onions, leeks, herbs, pepper and cloves to make a meat stock."
"It was April. The lanes were lined with blackthorn and wild cherry blossom and the banks swathed in primroses and celandine. The fields were dotted with dandelions and cowslips. Birds sang their stories of nests and challenges over territory. As the day warmed, early butterflies emerged."
August 23, 2024
Please note while this is the second book of a series it is a standalone – you do not need to read book 1 (although I highly recommend it.
The author writes a good story and has great character development, getting you into the action and having you feel as if you are there. I read this with my “free” Kindle Unlimited subscription vs. the regular $4.99 price, and I certainly received more than $4.99 in entertainment value. If you like a good story as well as historical fiction, I would recommend giving this one a read.
The author writes a good story and has great character development, getting you into the action and having you feel as if you are there. I read this with my “free” Kindle Unlimited subscription vs. the regular $4.99 price, and I certainly received more than $4.99 in entertainment value. If you like a good story as well as historical fiction, I would recommend giving this one a read.
June 22, 2024
As advertised, a thrilling historical Naval Adventure
When I first started this book, I was a bit disappointed, I expected a sequel to Kingfisher. It didn't take long for me to realize I was wrong. This book is far better, more exciting, interesting and actually bloodier than Kingfisher. A very interesting and engaging protagonist. A thoroughly enjoyable book.
When I first started this book, I was a bit disappointed, I expected a sequel to Kingfisher. It didn't take long for me to realize I was wrong. This book is far better, more exciting, interesting and actually bloodier than Kingfisher. A very interesting and engaging protagonist. A thoroughly enjoyable book.
September 23, 2024
Warley
A really surprising and interesting read. Full of facts and dates it reads as though it is a true account of the history of our hero Tom and his ship for that period. This is a true adventure read with loads of action and fighting at sea. I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with and ounce of adventure and love of the sea in their souls.
A really surprising and interesting read. Full of facts and dates it reads as though it is a true account of the history of our hero Tom and his ship for that period. This is a true adventure read with loads of action and fighting at sea. I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with and ounce of adventure and love of the sea in their souls.
June 9, 2024
a captain in the employ of the East India Company
Voyages for commerce from England to the far east. A genuinely innovative sea story with all types of characters.Christopher Tubbs spins a good yarn.
Voyages for commerce from England to the far east. A genuinely innovative sea story with all types of characters.Christopher Tubbs spins a good yarn.
June 9, 2024
Poor imitation of the excellent Dorset Boy series
I really enjoyed the excellent Dorset Boy series by the same author. This one seemed like a poor imitation with nothing like the depth of characters and compelling story line. Disappointing.
I really enjoyed the excellent Dorset Boy series by the same author. This one seemed like a poor imitation with nothing like the depth of characters and compelling story line. Disappointing.
June 29, 2024
Not as compelling or complete as #1 in the series, but fun nonetheless. There is one thread that seems historically unlikely, but if so it should have been possible. Nothing new here as far as story type, but still engaging.
July 4, 2024
Excellent!
For a wonderful and refreshing change, our hero is a civilian captain of a well-armed Indiaman. While not as violent as a Royal Navy saga, there's still plenty of action.
For a wonderful and refreshing change, our hero is a civilian captain of a well-armed Indiaman. While not as violent as a Royal Navy saga, there's still plenty of action.
July 11, 2024
A New Nabob
A wonderful story line told with great gusto. Seagoing adventures with pirates and the French. Trading opportunities present themselves in many different ways all enriching Tom and his family.
A wonderful story line told with great gusto. Seagoing adventures with pirates and the French. Trading opportunities present themselves in many different ways all enriching Tom and his family.
August 1, 2024
Excellent
A thoroughly entertaining adventure. I recommend this story to any who enjoy the genre. I would have liked to hear an ending note of our potential shieldmaiden, but other than that I've no complaints!
A thoroughly entertaining adventure. I recommend this story to any who enjoy the genre. I would have liked to hear an ending note of our potential shieldmaiden, but other than that I've no complaints!
August 22, 2024
Rather straight forward adventure of the life of sea captain for the East India Company. Enjoyed the description of his life as a sailor and the machinations of wheeling and dealing for the company and his own be efit
October 12, 2024
I really liked this book. It was better than the Kingfisher because there was a lot more character development. I am happy with Tom and everything he did and I love Mary. It was an entertaining tale and I’m glad I gave it a read!
February 19, 2025
spoiled by modernisms
Not as good as Ive been led to expect from this author. Shame about some of the naff modern slang and unnecessary modern swearing , totally out of character for the period.
Not as good as Ive been led to expect from this author. Shame about some of the naff modern slang and unnecessary modern swearing , totally out of character for the period.
Read
June 3, 2025great read sets itself at a good pace
I found the certain order of the in a few pages . the chaictors were well played with easy t!o.remember the book kept my attention to the last page.
I found the certain order of the in a few pages . the chaictors were well played with easy t!o.remember the book kept my attention to the last page.
June 25, 2025
Captivating
The story completely captivates you with the adventure and and people that are so well developed. You feel that you are aboard ship in the operation and fighting pirates. You experience the times of sail.
The story completely captivates you with the adventure and and people that are so well developed. You feel that you are aboard ship in the operation and fighting pirates. You experience the times of sail.
June 11, 2024
Another wonderful story
Just what you would expect from Christopher Tubbs and he delivers. Just on the edge of formulaic, but what a nice formula
Just what you would expect from Christopher Tubbs and he delivers. Just on the edge of formulaic, but what a nice formula
June 27, 2024
Final voyages
A great way to end this short series of sailing for the East India Company around the 1800s and the way of life at sea and in trading in the Far East.
A great way to end this short series of sailing for the East India Company around the 1800s and the way of life at sea and in trading in the Far East.
July 8, 2024
Warley
Great storyline very informative hopefully there will be more to follow. Mr Gibbs is a great storyteller. well done Sir.
Great storyline very informative hopefully there will be more to follow. Mr Gibbs is a great storyteller. well done Sir.
July 28, 2024
Enjoy a good read from a writer that knows his subject.
I very much enjoy tales of sailing ships and maritime battles. The Warley is an excellent example of it's type 10 out of 10.
I very much enjoy tales of sailing ships and maritime battles. The Warley is an excellent example of it's type 10 out of 10.
August 4, 2024
excellent reading
Really good reading from start to finish
Recommend to my friends most ex navy
Looking forward to reading more of Christopher Tubbs books
Really good reading from start to finish
Recommend to my friends most ex navy
Looking forward to reading more of Christopher Tubbs books
September 24, 2024
Well researched but dull. I wouldn’t recommend it.
February 23, 2025
Entertaining yarn about East India Co. Battles with pirates and the French
May 1, 2025
Good tead
This is a well done novel. Entertaining and comfortably moving. I hope this author does more.
Keep it up, sailor.
This is a well done novel. Entertaining and comfortably moving. I hope this author does more.
Keep it up, sailor.
August 27, 2025
Fun easy read
This book is an easy read. Similar to the Hornblower Series. Interesting to read from the view of.a.company ship not a navy ship.
This book is an easy read. Similar to the Hornblower Series. Interesting to read from the view of.a.company ship not a navy ship.
March 25, 2026
A great yarn
Once again Christopher produces a great read ,plenty of action a great in site into the East Indian Company otherwise known as the john company
Once again Christopher produces a great read ,plenty of action a great in site into the East Indian Company otherwise known as the john company
June 26, 2025
British merchant companies equip a purpose-built ship more like a large frigate than a cargo carrier. It serves its purpose well by surprising various pirate groups around the world. Its career culminates by frightening off a French task force while escorting a merchant convoy. An oblique look at warfare at sea during the "Age of Fighting Sail".
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews