Diamant

by Larry Jeram-Croft, Virtual Voice (Narrator)

The unsung story of superb naval ingenuity and heroism that came close to making the battle of Trafalgar unnecessary. If it hadn’t been for a drunken naval officer and a minor earthquake history would have been forever changed. 1803 and the Royal Navy dominate the Caribbean. However, Commodore Samuel Hood is short of ships. Diamond Rock is a small volcanic plug in the sea south of Martinique. Despite his men’s misgivings and against almost insurmountable odds, he lands a garrison and places cannon on the top. The Honourable Mathew Turner is in the Caribbean on a diplomatic mission and whilst in Martinique he falls in love with a local girl but they are forced apart. On reaching the neighbouring island of Saint Lucia, the Royal Navy ask him to document the occupation of the rock for the British press. After eighteen months a French fleet finally arrives. Having not been re-supplied, the garrison is short of water and gunpowder. However, in a ferocious battle, a handful of British sailors hold them off until they are forced to negotiate an honourable surrender. For the rock’s Commander, James Maurice, it is seen as a triumph, for his friend Mathew Turner, it is not. This story is based on real events. To this day there is still evidence of the British occupation. As the rock was never de-commissioned by the British, whenever a Royal Navy warship sails past, the ship’s company are required to salute HMS Diamond Rock.

Audible Audio

Published May 23, 2025

About the author

Best selling author, Larry Jeram-Croft spent thirty years in the Royal Navy as a helicopter pilot and engineer. He then worked in industry for seven years before retiring. When he retired, he and his wife bought a yacht and went to live in the Caribbean. It was this experience that led to the idea for his 'Jacaranda trilogy'. The novels are based on true events in the West indies of Nelson's time and provide thrilling and exciting stories for all who love the sea and sailing. Brought up on the books of C S Forester and Patrick O'Brian he was surprised that no one was writing similar stories about the modern Royal Navy, especially with so much going on in previous decades. As he was himself a Lynx helicopter pilot during the Falklands War, he decided to start there, using his own extensive knowledge of the conflict. 'Sea Skimmer' was the result; a book based on many true stories, the main one being why the Argentinian Exocet missiles failed to explode. Directly involved in anti Exocet countermeasures and also with a grandstand seat of the final Exocet raid of the war, the book, although a novel, has an authenticity that cannot be bettered. More books have followed. The latest 'Diamant' is a historical novel set in 1805 about the Royal Navy setting up a garrison on Diamond Rock off Martinique an exercise that almost brought Nelson and the French together well before Trafalgar.
In addition to his fiction, last year he published his first non- fiction work, an operational history of the RN Lynx helicopter. Another about the RN Wasp helicopter is due out this year.
Larry now lives in Martock, Somerset and spends most of his time writing and playing golf extraordinarily badly.

You can keep up to date on his blog at: http://sowethereyet.blogspot.co.uk/

Reviews

[Mike Klidjian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Larry Jeram-Croft creates something refreshingly different in this twin centred novel, weaving two timelines hundreds of years apart seamlessly together. The modern day story is a classic yachting adventure - fast paced, exciting and underlying it all the author's vast experience of life at sea under sail. A story that will delight lovers of the genre - up there with Sam Llewellyn and Bernard Cornwell.
But for me it is the historical part of the book where LJC really shines. Painstaking research and physical knowledge of the area mean that he is really able to bring this story to life. And it is a fascinating one - a little known tale of British engineering, ingenuity and daring together with a bloody minded determination which result in a "defeat" that does credit to the Royal Navy. And all told in a thoroughly engrossing way. Great stuff!

[Paul Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martinique

I live on Martinique for three years. Being ex Royal Navy I always took an interest in the rock and Fort du France. I lived in the Bae la Robert the other side of the island. Had a friend who had an ex fortress with spiked cannons in his garden. Mischief by the British Royal Navy.