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Nathaniel Drinkwater #4
The Bomb Vessel
1st Sphere 1985 edition paperback vg+ book In stock shipped from our UK warehouse
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2000
40 people are currently reading
70 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 4, 2021
I enjoy this series but once again this book is disappointing. I like the series because Woodman does something few other Hornblower (HH) clone authors do well, he does a good job of infusing the characters with feeling and life. Everybody tries to do it but few succeed. I enjoyed the last book because of the character vignettes.
What I don't like in this book can be summed up in to two parts, both of which are common in the series:
1) Lack of action. Other series are action filled. This one isn't. It isn't really such a big deal because many of HH books lack action but they are fast paced. This one lacks action and is also slow paced. A lot text takes place before something happens. This book deals with the attack on Copenhagen (which other clones have done) and like the others, haven't done a very good job of explaining the background. Or rather, has tried to explain the background too much, bogging it down. I'm not really here for a history lesson so I don't want one. The author should have concentrated on the main characters, not try to fit the whole event in.
2) We tend to live our lives through the lives of the characters in the book. We cheer when they get a promotion or cheer when they get a victory. Woodson loves to put obstacles in Drinkwater's (ND) way. We expected him to be promoted, he doesn't. We expected him to get a bomb ketch. He gets a bomb tender instead. It's like you go to the restaurant to have their special and they're out. Or you want to watch a TV show and the program is cancelled. No one likes that and it puts a damper on the enjoyment of the book. It's like Woodson is a sadist and wants you to suffer.
3) OK, a 3rd one. Not so much in this book but Woodson loves to put antagonists in his books. At least we don't get the French guy again. And in this book, the antagonists have lesser power. Jex the purser is one and so is Parker the admiral. Fortunately in this book they are weak. But again no one likes to meet these guys in their real lives and no one wants to meet them in books they are reading either. I know this is a plot device that some authors like to use. I just don't like them.
So what do we have? A book that focuses on the Battle of Copenhagen which ND has a relatively minor role (he basically reacts to orders and doesn't have a free hand), the book takes a long time to get going, and doesn't feature a lot of the character studies which make it good. Fortunately it's a short book and I sighed with relief when it ended. I'm now on to the next book.
What I don't like in this book can be summed up in to two parts, both of which are common in the series:
1) Lack of action. Other series are action filled. This one isn't. It isn't really such a big deal because many of HH books lack action but they are fast paced. This one lacks action and is also slow paced. A lot text takes place before something happens. This book deals with the attack on Copenhagen (which other clones have done) and like the others, haven't done a very good job of explaining the background. Or rather, has tried to explain the background too much, bogging it down. I'm not really here for a history lesson so I don't want one. The author should have concentrated on the main characters, not try to fit the whole event in.
2) We tend to live our lives through the lives of the characters in the book. We cheer when they get a promotion or cheer when they get a victory. Woodson loves to put obstacles in Drinkwater's (ND) way. We expected him to be promoted, he doesn't. We expected him to get a bomb ketch. He gets a bomb tender instead. It's like you go to the restaurant to have their special and they're out. Or you want to watch a TV show and the program is cancelled. No one likes that and it puts a damper on the enjoyment of the book. It's like Woodson is a sadist and wants you to suffer.
3) OK, a 3rd one. Not so much in this book but Woodson loves to put antagonists in his books. At least we don't get the French guy again. And in this book, the antagonists have lesser power. Jex the purser is one and so is Parker the admiral. Fortunately in this book they are weak. But again no one likes to meet these guys in their real lives and no one wants to meet them in books they are reading either. I know this is a plot device that some authors like to use. I just don't like them.
So what do we have? A book that focuses on the Battle of Copenhagen which ND has a relatively minor role (he basically reacts to orders and doesn't have a free hand), the book takes a long time to get going, and doesn't feature a lot of the character studies which make it good. Fortunately it's a short book and I sighed with relief when it ended. I'm now on to the next book.
April 14, 2022
I first encountered Horatio Hornblower in my teens, and for decades - nearly 50 years - I've wanted to find another series set in the era of sail that's just as good. The novels by Patrick O'Brian didn't come close. Jay Worrall's Edgemont series is pretty good, but it's so brief - just three books. But if this book is any indication, I've located the heir to Hornblower and C.S. Forester - Nathaniel Drinkwater and Richard Woodman.
Woodman, I find, is a former sailer, and so he knows the sea by experience. And he apparently knows a lot about sailing ships...though sometimes his plethora of unexplained technical terms, something which the Hornblower series omits, can be baffling to a landsman, and probably even to a seaman today who hasn't spent his career in a tall ship.
What's more, he writes a good story, and he writes it well. Sometimes the English of the dialogue is just antique enough that it jars in contrast with the modern language of the narration. The storyline regarding Nathaniel's brother is a mere distraction. And I find the attempt at making Tumilty sound Irish unconvincing. But these are minor details. The story is good, the writing is good, the characters are good - and I'm going to read every single one of the series that the library has on hand.
Woodman, I find, is a former sailer, and so he knows the sea by experience. And he apparently knows a lot about sailing ships...though sometimes his plethora of unexplained technical terms, something which the Hornblower series omits, can be baffling to a landsman, and probably even to a seaman today who hasn't spent his career in a tall ship.
What's more, he writes a good story, and he writes it well. Sometimes the English of the dialogue is just antique enough that it jars in contrast with the modern language of the narration. The storyline regarding Nathaniel's brother is a mere distraction. And I find the attempt at making Tumilty sound Irish unconvincing. But these are minor details. The story is good, the writing is good, the characters are good - and I'm going to read every single one of the series that the library has on hand.
August 20, 2024
It is another hoist the topsails and batten down the hatch there be trouble on the horizon. This time the action is set in the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801. Drinkwater has been a shore and wants to get back to Sea with a ship of his own to command. He is given a ship a bomb vessel created to carry howitzers as it main weapons. His ship is the Virago and she is not in good shape when Drinkwater comes aboard. But if you are familiar with Drinkwater then you will know he will get his ship ready to do battle. But there is a small problem that deals with his brother. On that matter I will just say you will have to read and find out what the problem is. Let us just say that sometime family is more of a problem than the enemies one has.
February 9, 2025
I continue to enjoy these exciting nautical novels by Richard Woodman. In novel 4, the story continues with Lieutenant Drinkwater now in command of a bomb vessel. The year is 1801 leading up to winter sea battles and a bombardment of the Danish coast. Drinkwater continues to mature in seamanship and leadership. He must also take career risks dealing with his ne'er-do-well brother. I continue to be engrossed in the story's characters. I do recommend not allowing too much time in between reading this 14 book series. However, the author does a good job reintroducing many characters. Looking forward to the next 10 remaining novels.
March 20, 2021
Another excellent read
Richard Wildman is a wonderful storyteller,I find that his stories are most
believable especially the fighting scenes.As an ex serviceman of 12 years service,I do wonder how I would cope Looking forward to book 5 in the series.
Richard Wildman is a wonderful storyteller,I find that his stories are most
believable especially the fighting scenes.As an ex serviceman of 12 years service,I do wonder how I would cope Looking forward to book 5 in the series.
June 23, 2021
Another great read
I like Woodman's writing style as it brings the characters alive. Clever mix of fact and fiction with more detail and explanation than the other boys in the band.... Downside is that I can't put the books down so read them in a day or so😀
I like Woodman's writing style as it brings the characters alive. Clever mix of fact and fiction with more detail and explanation than the other boys in the band.... Downside is that I can't put the books down so read them in a day or so😀
November 14, 2022
Fast moving action
A fast moving storyline with twists and turns. Very accurate in its storyline.I look forward to the next book of this series.
A fast moving storyline with twists and turns. Very accurate in its storyline.I look forward to the next book of this series.
November 1, 2008
There is nothing particularly special about this book as opposed to the rest of the series. Drinkwater still struggles with his lack of influence and continues to be haunted by his past. His mysterious patron, Lord Dungarth, does not appear capable of doing much by him and even his hard-won honors for heroic efforts seem to get lost in bureaucratic tangles such as one would not expect in a service so particular about cables and rigging.
The most distinctive aspects of this particular book deal with a moral dilemma brought on by a blood relation. Drinkwater is faced with betraying the relation on the one hand or putting even his limited reputation as an officer on the line (as well as his potential freedom). Drinkwater's would-be solution is daring and resourceful--as bold and wrought with tension as anything he does with his bomb ketch.
The most interesting new character to be introduced is a gunnery officer from Ireland named Tumilty. Here is a character worthy of being kept in the supporting cast along with Sam Rodgers, Midshipman Quillhampton and his prosthetic hook, and, of course, the mysterious patron, Lord Dungarth.
I don't recommend reading this novel out of order. If you don't already care about the protagonist, the call-backs to other portions of Drinkwater's adventures and troubles aren't going to mean enough to pull this one out from the pack. In its context, however, it is not only satisfying but has me hungering for a breeze to freshen for the next in the series.
The most distinctive aspects of this particular book deal with a moral dilemma brought on by a blood relation. Drinkwater is faced with betraying the relation on the one hand or putting even his limited reputation as an officer on the line (as well as his potential freedom). Drinkwater's would-be solution is daring and resourceful--as bold and wrought with tension as anything he does with his bomb ketch.
The most interesting new character to be introduced is a gunnery officer from Ireland named Tumilty. Here is a character worthy of being kept in the supporting cast along with Sam Rodgers, Midshipman Quillhampton and his prosthetic hook, and, of course, the mysterious patron, Lord Dungarth.
I don't recommend reading this novel out of order. If you don't already care about the protagonist, the call-backs to other portions of Drinkwater's adventures and troubles aren't going to mean enough to pull this one out from the pack. In its context, however, it is not only satisfying but has me hungering for a breeze to freshen for the next in the series.
February 25, 2016
Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good … capitalizing on the former, Nathaniel finally gets recognition for being the latter.
This entry seems to mark the turning point in Drinkwater's career. Overcoming a few tense stumbles while risking his career on family, Nat shines under the eyes of influential peerage by taking the initiative when the opportunities present during the engagement with the Danes.
We can surely expect a bump in grade as well as a better assignment in the next installment.
Not much action, though. 3.5 stars.
This entry seems to mark the turning point in Drinkwater's career. Overcoming a few tense stumbles while risking his career on family, Nat shines under the eyes of influential peerage by taking the initiative when the opportunities present during the engagement with the Danes.
We can surely expect a bump in grade as well as a better assignment in the next installment.
Not much action, though. 3.5 stars.
June 22, 2015
Another excellent addition to the Drinkwater series.
November 17, 2015
A good read - great description of the Battle of Copenhagen.
April 21, 2016
Fireworks in the Baltic.
Nathanial Drink waters struggles for promotion and his battles in the bomb vessel Virago.Bloodthirsty revengeful felling of his brothers cuckold.
Nathanial Drink waters struggles for promotion and his battles in the bomb vessel Virago.Bloodthirsty revengeful felling of his brothers cuckold.
June 3, 2016
A lot of detail on British Navy around 1800.
June 3, 2022
started slow ended fast
This one was hard to get in to at first. But eventually it picked up and finished well. The battle on Copenhagen was nicely done.
This one was hard to get in to at first. But eventually it picked up and finished well. The battle on Copenhagen was nicely done.
January 17, 2015
Highly recommended if you like naval historical fiction!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews