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Nathaniel Drinkwater #8
In Distant Waters: Number 8 in series
From the tide-torn waters of the Thames, where Captain Nathaniel Drinkwater is compelled to deal with a deserter, to the seas off stunning, traitorous Cape Horn - storm-scoured gateway to the Pacific - the great cruiser Patrician is tense with the threat of mutiny.
Despite this, Drinkwater captures a Spanish frigate and meets the stunning Do�a Ana Maria, daughter of the Commandante of San Francisco. But, having disturbed a hornet's nest of colonial intrigue, Drinkwater finds that the Spanish are eager to humiliate him and the Royal Navy. Moreover, a Russian battleship lurks somewhere offshore, pursuing Tsar Alexander's dark plans. Caught between two formidable enemies, Drinkwater must defeat enemies on all fronts if he is to survive - including on his own ship.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2000
35 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Richard Woodman
131 books70 followersCaptain Richard Martin Woodman was an English novelist and naval historian who retired in 1997 from a 37-year nautical career, mainly working for Trinity House, to write full-time.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 28, 2021
In this book Richard Woodman put Captain Nathaniel Drinkwater into a historical situation. About 1811 the Russians occupied Northern California building Fort Ross on the Russian River and building a series of Forts up to Oregon.
The book is well written and researched. I enjoyed the various information about sailing. My only complaint was the battles were cut short and jumped to the after events too rapidly. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed sailing the Pacific with Drinkwater off the coast of Spanish California.
I read this in hardback book format. The book is 246 pages and was published in 1988 by St. Martin’s Press, New York.
The book is well written and researched. I enjoyed the various information about sailing. My only complaint was the battles were cut short and jumped to the after events too rapidly. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed sailing the Pacific with Drinkwater off the coast of Spanish California.
I read this in hardback book format. The book is 246 pages and was published in 1988 by St. Martin’s Press, New York.
August 21, 2025
Happily continuing in this 14 novel series. In "Distant Waters", novel #8, I am still enjoying the exciting escapades of Royal Navy Captain Nathaniel Drinkwater. He continues to exhibit exceptional skill, leadership and courage. Following his naval career from young midshipman to retired captain in novel #14. Drinkwater has many setbacks and challenges making his character relatable and likable. I usually avoid long continuing series in books and film but am committed in this well written series.
March 1, 2016
good times .
August 29, 2022
As I work my way through this series, I'm coming to the conclusion that Richard Woodman is a good writer who needs more editing. He has good stories, and he can depict life at sea on a British navy sailing ship very well, but he loads his books with far too much. How many times, for instance, will Nathaniel Drinkwater find himself a prisoner? Twice in this book. And he's been a prisoner before.
It's hard to review a book when it obviously would've been better if the editor had been better, because what I want to criticize would probably not be there if the editor had been better. The author wrote it - but book publishing requires good editing as well (how many of Stephen King's books that I like would've bored me without good editing? probably all of them, given what King himself has called "diarrhea of the word processor"). I liked this book. But after eight of the Drinkwater books, all of which needed better editing, I'm beginning to wonder if I want to continue.
It's hard to review a book when it obviously would've been better if the editor had been better, because what I want to criticize would probably not be there if the editor had been better. The author wrote it - but book publishing requires good editing as well (how many of Stephen King's books that I like would've bored me without good editing? probably all of them, given what King himself has called "diarrhea of the word processor"). I liked this book. But after eight of the Drinkwater books, all of which needed better editing, I'm beginning to wonder if I want to continue.
September 10, 2021
Another solid book in the series. Now that I'm on the 8th book, passing the midline and going towards the end of a short series of only 14 books I feel a bit sad. This has turned out to be a better series than expected. Not your run of the mill action series; better written, not cookie cutter and more unexpected.
Spoilers ahead:
This book is similar to Hornblower's The Happy Return since it sends Drinkwater (ND) to the Pacific side of the American continent where he deals with Spaniards, Russians and one American mountain man. A lot of this parallels actual history.
Following the last book where ND journeys to the Baltic and finds explosive news of Alexander I's turnaround to ally with Napoleon, his whole ship is quarantined (without allowed to land at all) and put into a new frigate. His new frigate is one of those powerful ones made by cutting off the top deck of old 64's giving them a powerful ordnance of 24 pdrs. However, not much is written about this powerful ship. More is given to the storyline that the men are mutinous, especially those who originally signed up as volunteers for ND's arctic mission 3 books ago.
This is an underlying theme in the book from start to 3/4 of the way through with men running during several events, especially since the voyage is a very long one. The plot picks up again when they sail through Cape Horn where they catch a glimpse of a mysterious 74.
One of the side stories is that they stop at an idyllic island to refit and ND allows the men to go onshore one watch at a time to rest and relax. However two seamen run during the first watch and are eventually caught and shot dead. ND decides to cut short the rest and leaves without the other 2 watches getting their time off. This adds to the unrest of the men. I don't understand why ND doesn't let the other 2 watches go. I guess the official reason is that ND doesn't want more men to run but the alternative of no rest time seems worse.
Their first action is when they see a Spanish frigate and sinks it. They drop off the prisoners at San Francisco under truce where ND meets some untrustworthy Spanish officials. 8 more men desert here, enticed by the prisoners who were on board the ship. It is apparently a ploy for the Spanish to hold ND while a powerful ship shows up but ND leaves anyway.
Leaving San Fran to fulfill his orders, which are to put a damper on Russian exploration, settlement and trade in the Pacific coast of North America, the frigate (Patrician) develops a slow leak. They anchor at Punta de los Reyes and find that it's sabotage. 48 men run into the hills and there's nothing ND can do about it. While they are at anchor, an American merchant brig shows up and they trade news. When the brig reaches San Fran, the captain gives the Spaniards the news and they send two brigs to capture the Patrician by boarding.
Lt. Q is on shore and escape being captured while ND and the ship are sent to San Fran as prisoners. The Spanish sell the frigate to the Russians who are in need of ship and men. Some of the British sailors go with the ship while some stay at San Fran as laborers.
Lt. Q manages to sail the ship's cutter back to San Fran. ND escapes at the same time and meets Lt. Q and his men. They capture a Spanish schooner in the harbor and sail away north to go after the Patrician. They find the Patrician, board her and recapture her releasing the British sailors.
They go back down south burning 2 Russian settlements and find the 48 deserters which have become 22 through attrition. The American mountain man is shot by one of the Russian commandants and ND realizes that gold has been found in the hinterlands when he finds gold on the American's dead body.
They go back to San Fran where the crafty Spaniards finally admit that Spain and Britain are allies again. ND is pissed but there's nothing he can do. He collects whatever British sailors are left and leaves.
On the way south they run into the Russian 74 and in the darkness and weather completely demolishes it but Hill is killed. He has now 100% fulfilled the Admiralty's brief of destroying the presence of Ruskies on the Pacific Coast.
I think Woodman has done a good job of melding history to the story (unlike many other Hornblower clones). This book has a lot of the feel of HH's The Happy Return due to the setting, actions and characters. HH is still more visceral and raw whereas this book feels like a yarn more than an experience. But I still enjoyed it. Now to the next book.
Spoilers ahead:
This book is similar to Hornblower's The Happy Return since it sends Drinkwater (ND) to the Pacific side of the American continent where he deals with Spaniards, Russians and one American mountain man. A lot of this parallels actual history.
Following the last book where ND journeys to the Baltic and finds explosive news of Alexander I's turnaround to ally with Napoleon, his whole ship is quarantined (without allowed to land at all) and put into a new frigate. His new frigate is one of those powerful ones made by cutting off the top deck of old 64's giving them a powerful ordnance of 24 pdrs. However, not much is written about this powerful ship. More is given to the storyline that the men are mutinous, especially those who originally signed up as volunteers for ND's arctic mission 3 books ago.
This is an underlying theme in the book from start to 3/4 of the way through with men running during several events, especially since the voyage is a very long one. The plot picks up again when they sail through Cape Horn where they catch a glimpse of a mysterious 74.
One of the side stories is that they stop at an idyllic island to refit and ND allows the men to go onshore one watch at a time to rest and relax. However two seamen run during the first watch and are eventually caught and shot dead. ND decides to cut short the rest and leaves without the other 2 watches getting their time off. This adds to the unrest of the men. I don't understand why ND doesn't let the other 2 watches go. I guess the official reason is that ND doesn't want more men to run but the alternative of no rest time seems worse.
Their first action is when they see a Spanish frigate and sinks it. They drop off the prisoners at San Francisco under truce where ND meets some untrustworthy Spanish officials. 8 more men desert here, enticed by the prisoners who were on board the ship. It is apparently a ploy for the Spanish to hold ND while a powerful ship shows up but ND leaves anyway.
Leaving San Fran to fulfill his orders, which are to put a damper on Russian exploration, settlement and trade in the Pacific coast of North America, the frigate (Patrician) develops a slow leak. They anchor at Punta de los Reyes and find that it's sabotage. 48 men run into the hills and there's nothing ND can do about it. While they are at anchor, an American merchant brig shows up and they trade news. When the brig reaches San Fran, the captain gives the Spaniards the news and they send two brigs to capture the Patrician by boarding.
Lt. Q is on shore and escape being captured while ND and the ship are sent to San Fran as prisoners. The Spanish sell the frigate to the Russians who are in need of ship and men. Some of the British sailors go with the ship while some stay at San Fran as laborers.
Lt. Q manages to sail the ship's cutter back to San Fran. ND escapes at the same time and meets Lt. Q and his men. They capture a Spanish schooner in the harbor and sail away north to go after the Patrician. They find the Patrician, board her and recapture her releasing the British sailors.
They go back down south burning 2 Russian settlements and find the 48 deserters which have become 22 through attrition. The American mountain man is shot by one of the Russian commandants and ND realizes that gold has been found in the hinterlands when he finds gold on the American's dead body.
They go back to San Fran where the crafty Spaniards finally admit that Spain and Britain are allies again. ND is pissed but there's nothing he can do. He collects whatever British sailors are left and leaves.
On the way south they run into the Russian 74 and in the darkness and weather completely demolishes it but Hill is killed. He has now 100% fulfilled the Admiralty's brief of destroying the presence of Ruskies on the Pacific Coast.
I think Woodman has done a good job of melding history to the story (unlike many other Hornblower clones). This book has a lot of the feel of HH's The Happy Return due to the setting, actions and characters. HH is still more visceral and raw whereas this book feels like a yarn more than an experience. But I still enjoyed it. Now to the next book.
September 26, 2023
Yet another average pulp author is compared by many reviewers to Patrick O'Brien and CS Forrester.
What utter nonsense, not even close. After book one, which was ok, I found the rest of the series very tedious , predictable and badly written. Drinkwater must be the most unlucky captain in the royal navy, everything goes wrong, again and again' god's bone's' say's the captain, again and again. And then....at the end there are a few minor Miracle's ( often involving a beautiful princess unlocking the prison door for some reason)
and Voilà, the captain wins... again.
Anyone comparing these books with O'Brien or Forrester is either very stupid or on the payroll.
I have read pretty much Every age of sail novel, there is NOTHING that compares with the 2 masters.
So just accept these books, and All the others, for what they are, average boy's own adventures.
What utter nonsense, not even close. After book one, which was ok, I found the rest of the series very tedious , predictable and badly written. Drinkwater must be the most unlucky captain in the royal navy, everything goes wrong, again and again' god's bone's' say's the captain, again and again. And then....at the end there are a few minor Miracle's ( often involving a beautiful princess unlocking the prison door for some reason)
and Voilà, the captain wins... again.
Anyone comparing these books with O'Brien or Forrester is either very stupid or on the payroll.
I have read pretty much Every age of sail novel, there is NOTHING that compares with the 2 masters.
So just accept these books, and All the others, for what they are, average boy's own adventures.
September 5, 2024
I like this series, but this time things were a little depressing to start. First there was a hanging on board ship of a deserter. Then Drinkwater and his crew are sent to the Pacific Ocean to hunt for a possible threat from the Russian Navy. While there the morale of the crew is slowly falling apart adding to this decliner there is a case of sabotage aboard ship that threatened the lives of the crew.It just goes from bad to worst. Drinkwater's ship is taken by the Spanish and he is imprisoned. But then the action picks up for a daring rescue of Drinkwater by part of his crew. Then it is clear the decks for action against the Russians and guess who is going to lose. This is the second time that Drinkwater and his men are captured by the enemy, but they don't give up easily. To find out what happens grab a copy and read.
January 26, 2025
Still a great series
I have read the entire series in paperback, possibly 7 or 8 times since its purchase. This is just the second time I have read these 8 books on kindle. They have not due disappointed.
I have read the entire series in paperback, possibly 7 or 8 times since its purchase. This is just the second time I have read these 8 books on kindle. They have not due disappointed.
May 25, 2016
One of the more adventurous entries to the Drinkwater series, this installment is all I have come to expect and enjoy -- until we enter the last third of the book.
It seems as though Woodman either painted himself in a corner or suddenly realized that he was reaching a page number limit and it was time to come up with an ending. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the ending is hurried and comprised of an unbelievable set of coincidences that knocks a full star off my rating!
I hope this expediency at the cost reasonability is a one-time occurrence.
It seems as though Woodman either painted himself in a corner or suddenly realized that he was reaching a page number limit and it was time to come up with an ending. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the ending is hurried and comprised of an unbelievable set of coincidences that knocks a full star off my rating!
I hope this expediency at the cost reasonability is a one-time occurrence.
January 23, 2015
I am a sucker for a good sea yarn from the Age of Fighting Sail. Woodman's Drinkwater series is certainly a fine addition to this genre and this book was wonderful contribution. I look forward to acquiring the further adventures of this intrepid British seaman.
March 3, 2019
An imitation?
I found this to be a well written book. I have enjoyed the Drinkwater series thus far. I find it to be very similar to C S Forester’s Hornblower series. The British in the northern Pacific was a new discovery for me. Looking forward to the next book.
I found this to be a well written book. I have enjoyed the Drinkwater series thus far. I find it to be very similar to C S Forester’s Hornblower series. The British in the northern Pacific was a new discovery for me. Looking forward to the next book.
September 4, 2016
Another great installment to the Drinkwater series!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews