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Triumph
Rumours that a powerful squadron of large French frigates had broken out through the British blockade of France’s Atlantic ports bound for the West Indies reach the Admiralty in London in the late spring of 1815.
Rear-Admiral Sir John Wharton RN is sent with his own squadron on an urgent mission to protect the islands in case the intelligence proves to be correct. Appointed commodore of a force of four warships, he sails on HMS Triumph unaware that the long war with France is about to end at the Battle of Waterloo in mid-June.
Meanwhile, four and a half thousand miles away in Barbados, Lieutenant-General Sir James Leith is preparing a great fleet of 50 transport ships and 5000 soldiers to invade Guadeloupe and capture the island from Napoleon. If the breakaway French squadron exists, will Wharton arrive in time to avert disaster.
“I've enjoyed the Wharton series and look forward to more! Mr. Edwardson is a wonderful story-teller and obviously, very nautically-knowledgeable. He understands the Royal Navy and the Age of Sail. His ability to place the reader on the decks, in the period, and in the minds and lives of the Officers, crew, and their families is what makes his writings such riveting reads.”
“I personally have read all twelve books in this series and have thoroughly enjoyed each of them. The content is enticing and exciting, filled with great adventure and history.”
“This is the best series of naval books, that I have read on Kindle. I look forward to reading book 13 of the Wharton saga.”
Rear-Admiral Sir John Wharton RN is sent with his own squadron on an urgent mission to protect the islands in case the intelligence proves to be correct. Appointed commodore of a force of four warships, he sails on HMS Triumph unaware that the long war with France is about to end at the Battle of Waterloo in mid-June.
Meanwhile, four and a half thousand miles away in Barbados, Lieutenant-General Sir James Leith is preparing a great fleet of 50 transport ships and 5000 soldiers to invade Guadeloupe and capture the island from Napoleon. If the breakaway French squadron exists, will Wharton arrive in time to avert disaster.
“I've enjoyed the Wharton series and look forward to more! Mr. Edwardson is a wonderful story-teller and obviously, very nautically-knowledgeable. He understands the Royal Navy and the Age of Sail. His ability to place the reader on the decks, in the period, and in the minds and lives of the Officers, crew, and their families is what makes his writings such riveting reads.”
“I personally have read all twelve books in this series and have thoroughly enjoyed each of them. The content is enticing and exciting, filled with great adventure and history.”
“This is the best series of naval books, that I have read on Kindle. I look forward to reading book 13 of the Wharton saga.”
130 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 27, 2026
36 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 9, 2026
Avoidable Historical Inaccuracy Detracts
Normally, as an author, I do not review, I rate. This sort novel would have earned 4 stars but for one glaring historical inaccuracy that calls for a review. The Treaty of Ghent ending the war between Britain and the United States was signed in December 1814 and took effect in February1815--the lag allowing the news of the war's end to reach the Americas. The starting gun for this story is Napoleon's escape from Elba in March 1815, well after the treaty has ended the War of 1812. The author has Wharton thinking about the war with America in the present tense when he receives his orders and discusses matters with the First Naval Lord. Cochrane in Bermuda complains that he lacks ships to blockade the US eastern seaboard. There are enough references to the War of 1812 to have it serve as an important backdrop for the first third of this brief book. A sin of commission.
Normally, as an author, I do not review, I rate. This sort novel would have earned 4 stars but for one glaring historical inaccuracy that calls for a review. The Treaty of Ghent ending the war between Britain and the United States was signed in December 1814 and took effect in February1815--the lag allowing the news of the war's end to reach the Americas. The starting gun for this story is Napoleon's escape from Elba in March 1815, well after the treaty has ended the War of 1812. The author has Wharton thinking about the war with America in the present tense when he receives his orders and discusses matters with the First Naval Lord. Cochrane in Bermuda complains that he lacks ships to blockade the US eastern seaboard. There are enough references to the War of 1812 to have it serve as an important backdrop for the first third of this brief book. A sin of commission.
March 2, 2026
Historical inaccurate. Wharton had to go to the Caribbean because Admiral Cochrane’s ships were busy against the Americans. There is even a mention of the British defeat at the Battle of New Orleans in January 1815.
The fact is the United States and Great Britain signed the Treaty of Ghent in December as 1814. By the time of this book Spring/Summer 1815 British forces in England & the Caribbean were aware of the treaty.
The fact is the United States and Great Britain signed the Treaty of Ghent in December as 1814. By the time of this book Spring/Summer 1815 British forces in England & the Caribbean were aware of the treaty.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2026
All for naught
A quick read that may be the conclusion to “Tiger” Wharton’s naval career. Promoted to Admiral and sent off after the French. Not a ship’s captain but a strategic planner and he played his cards just right. Defeat of the four French frigates while peace negations were ongoing. A good story, well written.
A quick read that may be the conclusion to “Tiger” Wharton’s naval career. Promoted to Admiral and sent off after the French. Not a ship’s captain but a strategic planner and he played his cards just right. Defeat of the four French frigates while peace negations were ongoing. A good story, well written.
March 3, 2026
historically inaccurate
This book refers to the War of 1813 which finished in 1814 still going in 1815. This gives a reason for this story. Leaving that aside I enjoyed it. The battle well written.
This book refers to the War of 1813 which finished in 1814 still going in 1815. This gives a reason for this story. Leaving that aside I enjoyed it. The battle well written.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews