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Lord Ramage #4
Governor Ramage R. N.
Lieutenant Lord Ramage, expert seafarer and adventurer, undertakes to escort a convoy across the Caribbean. This seemingly routine task leads him into a series of dramatic and terrifying encounters. Lord Ramage is quick to learn that the enemy attacks from all angles and he must keep his wits about him in order to survive. Fast and thrilling, this is another highly charged adventure from the masterly Dudley Pope.
463 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 1973
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 23, 2016
Just a short cruise to the Caribbean from England what could go wrong? Well there is a privateer that is hiding in the convoy not much problem. Then there is a small matter of a hurricane that scatters the convoy. Shipwrecks on a Spanish held island and did I mention buried treasure. Well that is the story in a nutshell. Oh I forgot the court martial at the end, but that is just a part of the ending that is a standout finish. This is an exciting story for fans of the age of sail genre. So come aboard and hoist a tot of rum.
September 12, 2017
Gets off to a slow start, but ends up being my favorite Ramage book to date. Without giving away spoilers, one of the situations within this book lead the plot in a rather different direction from that of most of the genre. This direction adds a freshness and spark that sometimes gets lost in routine.
Start this series from the beginning, however. Each book up until this point is worth it, and there this series calls back earlier books much more frequently than others in the genre.
Start this series from the beginning, however. Each book up until this point is worth it, and there this series calls back earlier books much more frequently than others in the genre.
May 21, 2016
Dudley Pope knows a thing or two about seafaring in the time of Nelson. I have to admit to becoming frustrated at the huge amount of assumed prior knowledge I lacked regarding jibbooms, larboards and "clewing up their courses". However, I persevered (thanks google) and I'm glad I did. Nicholas Ramage is the "Sharpe of the sea" and I will be reading more.
July 16, 2016
A good read in the Hornblower, venue swashbuckler sea story gave it 4 stars
May 21, 2020
This is the fourth in the Ramage series with a very boring start. The first chapter was a complete loss and the second was a synopsis of previous books. He seems to have vague memories of his loved one and in his heart he has a willingness to be unfaithful. Throughout the whole book the articles of war are continually repeated and a court martial is never far from his mind. And of course he loses another ship.
The book is lacking a story, going from one event to another, finally settling on a hunt for buried pirate treasure. The direction for finding the treasure is a bit far fetched. At the end, he finally has his long awaited court martial.
The book is lacking a story, going from one event to another, finally settling on a hunt for buried pirate treasure. The direction for finding the treasure is a bit far fetched. At the end, he finally has his long awaited court martial.
June 4, 2013
This book made one big mistake. Or, rather the series is beginning to make a big mistake: Toning down the silliness. There was not a single mention of that stupid throwing knife, or Ramage's endearing speech impediment, when these silly ideas are a large part of what makes this series charming.
These books run on naval action, the interaction between Ramage and his men, and silliness.
The prose is average, with a few confused metaphors. But when Pope writes naval action the series shines, brighter than any work by Patrick O'Brian or C.S. Forester I've read. Pope is the true master of the Fighting Sail action scene.
Sadly, the naval action gets a bit sidelined in this book, about half-way through in favour of a rather inane treasure hunt. This treasure hunt is a curious thing:
On the one hand I don't know what's more implausible: That anyone would believe that sea shells made a good clue for finding treasure decades after it was buried, or that identifying the right spot by the shells actually worked (does the island never get hit by storms? Aren't there any animals on it that would be interested in shells?).
On the other hand, this kind of shameless, barmy plotting is exactly why I love this series so much. And since the series got rid of the throwing knife and the speech impediment I will gladly take all the silly I can get!
Also, Ramage himself is the most endearing when he has only his men to interact with, so I wasn't too keen on all the pagetime spend on the French refugees and especially the romance (the romance confused me btw. What is the status of Ramage's relationship with Gianna right now? I know sailors were not known for their faithfulness, and I don't blame them, but while Ramage refers to Gianna a couple of times in the book and carries her miniature portrait with him, she never once enters his thoughts when he's about to snog with Maxine).
The fact that Ramage is still a lieutenant and in command of small ships that don't warrant any other commissioned officers is what sets this series apart from the other big names in the genre. I can't even imagine what this series will be like once Ramage is posted into a larger ship. I seriously hope we won't lose the regular cast of seamen (especially Jackson and Maxton) from the lower decks. They are a large part of the lifeblood of these books.
Another big problem of the series is how black-and-white it paints its villains. I'm glad that the book at least granted Croucher some qualities as a sailor, but it's the first time we get to meet Admiral Goddard in person, and he is repulsive both in personality as well as physically. A character who is a complete jerk, incompetent, a coward, AND not very pleasant to look at, is also not very compelling to read about. Somehow I have little hope that Goddard will improve over the course of the series.
Anyway, this was another swash-buckling romp that was very hard to put down for almost its entire length, but not quite as fun as the earlier installments of the series. I miss the speech impediment and the stupid throwing knife, and I wouldn't mind if the next volume featured more sea battles again.
These books run on naval action, the interaction between Ramage and his men, and silliness.
The prose is average, with a few confused metaphors. But when Pope writes naval action the series shines, brighter than any work by Patrick O'Brian or C.S. Forester I've read. Pope is the true master of the Fighting Sail action scene.
Sadly, the naval action gets a bit sidelined in this book, about half-way through in favour of a rather inane treasure hunt. This treasure hunt is a curious thing:
On the one hand I don't know what's more implausible: That anyone would believe that sea shells made a good clue for finding treasure decades after it was buried, or that identifying the right spot by the shells actually worked (does the island never get hit by storms? Aren't there any animals on it that would be interested in shells?).
On the other hand, this kind of shameless, barmy plotting is exactly why I love this series so much. And since the series got rid of the throwing knife and the speech impediment I will gladly take all the silly I can get!
Also, Ramage himself is the most endearing when he has only his men to interact with, so I wasn't too keen on all the pagetime spend on the French refugees and especially the romance (the romance confused me btw. What is the status of Ramage's relationship with Gianna right now? I know sailors were not known for their faithfulness, and I don't blame them, but while Ramage refers to Gianna a couple of times in the book and carries her miniature portrait with him, she never once enters his thoughts when he's about to snog with Maxine).
The fact that Ramage is still a lieutenant and in command of small ships that don't warrant any other commissioned officers is what sets this series apart from the other big names in the genre. I can't even imagine what this series will be like once Ramage is posted into a larger ship. I seriously hope we won't lose the regular cast of seamen (especially Jackson and Maxton) from the lower decks. They are a large part of the lifeblood of these books.
Another big problem of the series is how black-and-white it paints its villains. I'm glad that the book at least granted Croucher some qualities as a sailor, but it's the first time we get to meet Admiral Goddard in person, and he is repulsive both in personality as well as physically. A character who is a complete jerk, incompetent, a coward, AND not very pleasant to look at, is also not very compelling to read about. Somehow I have little hope that Goddard will improve over the course of the series.
Anyway, this was another swash-buckling romp that was very hard to put down for almost its entire length, but not quite as fun as the earlier installments of the series. I miss the speech impediment and the stupid throwing knife, and I wouldn't mind if the next volume featured more sea battles again.
March 23, 2015
This is the fourth book in the Lord Ramage series. Ramage is in command of the brig HMS Triton. They have been assigned to escort a trade convoy across the Caribbean from Barbados to Jamaica, along with several frigates and the Admiral’s flagship.
Pope lets fly with the action and political intrigue. A French privateer cons his way into the convoy and attempts to capture a precious cargo. An unseasonable hurricane puts everyone in danger. The HMS Triton is dismasted and is at the mercy of winds and currents. They become shipwrecked on a hostile shore. Ramage and crew capture a Spanish garrison, find a Spanish treasure and capture a Spanish cargo ship to get them to Jamaica. Oh, after all that he is then court-martialed and Pope writes a great court scene.
The book is lots of fun, sort of impossible adventures by Ramage and crew. The book is well written and moves at a fast pace with lots of sailing and Royal Navy lore. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Steven Crossley narrated the book.
Pope lets fly with the action and political intrigue. A French privateer cons his way into the convoy and attempts to capture a precious cargo. An unseasonable hurricane puts everyone in danger. The HMS Triton is dismasted and is at the mercy of winds and currents. They become shipwrecked on a hostile shore. Ramage and crew capture a Spanish garrison, find a Spanish treasure and capture a Spanish cargo ship to get them to Jamaica. Oh, after all that he is then court-martialed and Pope writes a great court scene.
The book is lots of fun, sort of impossible adventures by Ramage and crew. The book is well written and moves at a fast pace with lots of sailing and Royal Navy lore. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Steven Crossley narrated the book.
August 7, 2023
Dudley Pope's "Ramage" is by far the best successor to Hornblower, and this volume 4 is best in that fantastic series. Not sure it could be read in isolation, which is a shame, because Book 2 drags in spots, but Books 1 and 3 are great -- and it all comes together here in Governor Ramage, R.N.. One of the best naval fiction reads you'll ever find. Most of the remaining Ramage series are good to excellent, particularly 7, 8 and 9. Book 5 is substandard, alas. The later book where Ramage rescues the woman he marries (not the woman he rescues in book 1) also excellent.
June 29, 2019
I think this was the first of the Ramage books where some of the descriptions of the fights didn’t quite ring true, the incidents with Admiral Goddard were verging on being ridiculous and the whole treasure hunt was just ludicrous. However the book was still a decent read and once started I didn’t put it down until I had finished.
May 5, 2012
The first of the Ramage books - all of which are exciting and well written. The Ramage series ranks 3rd with me behind Hornblower and Bolitho for age of sail excitement. Ramage is just a little too good and nothing is impossible..
June 15, 2013
Convoys, fighting off privateers, weathering a violent hurricane, ditching two de-masted ships on a Carribean isle (Snake Island), solving a riddle to uncover buried treasure, taking an emeny ship, escaping to Jamaica, surviving a court martial--all in good reading fun!
February 5, 2017
Ramage escapes again
A privateer, a hurricane, buried treasure and a court martial. Throw in a love affair with the beautiful daughter of a French Duke and Lieutenant Lord Nicholas Ramage must be the luckiest officer in His Brittanic Majesty's Navy.
A privateer, a hurricane, buried treasure and a court martial. Throw in a love affair with the beautiful daughter of a French Duke and Lieutenant Lord Nicholas Ramage must be the luckiest officer in His Brittanic Majesty's Navy.
December 18, 2017
An excellent book in which Ramage faces hurricanes, ship wrecks, and pirate treasure, before fighting a vicious adversity for his life. I particularly found the court martial scene fascinating and gripping.
Read
July 28, 2009Enjoyed
October 19, 2009
just another fun read
March 15, 2012
Loved it. Good story line. Factual and historic both. Good READ.
July 3, 2015
particular liked the trial scenes at the end of this......
March 5, 2017
Lt Ramage is assigned to help escort a convoy to the Caribbean, on the way they get hit with a hurricane! Oh, there's another beautiful young woman, who knows Gianna...a girl in every port?
May 16, 2022
This fourth book in the adventure series of Richard Bolitho in the Royal Navy expands the horizons of our hero. We are introduced to a new character and learn a lot about law in the Royal Navy and the importance of influence, or lack thereof, in an officer’s career. Ramage and the crew of the Triton are deployed in convoy protection under Admiral Goddard. This admiral (Goddard) dislikes Ramage simply for his name and is determined to destroy him for anything or nothing. In this environment, the convoy sails across the Caribbean well into the dangerous hurricane season. The voyage is complicated by the presence of extremely influential French Royalists who have the ear of the King and the ship of the new character, Master and shipowner Thomas Yorke, as part of the convoy.
French privateers make a move on Yorke’s ship which is the best laid up and carries the plenipotentiaries. Ramage has been watching them and is able to cut them off at the crucial moment, saving ship and passengers before the pirate gets off even one shot. The owner and passengers, including their very attractive young but married daughter, are most gracious and very happy with Ramage’s actions. However, Admiral Goddard is expected to try to turn the action into a black mark for Ramage. Only a day later, the brooding hurricane strikes, and all the ships are in trouble. Yorke’s ship is dismasted as is the Triton when Ramage tries to assist him. Both ships float with the current and the wind to land on a small Spanish island. The island triggers a number of new adventures resulting in the capture of the monthly supplies boat and the return of all to Kingston, their original destination.
In Kingston Ramage faces his biggest battle, with the Admiral who accuses him of cowardice. He fights well and brings his weapons to play (the plenipotentiaries) at the correct time and deals a terminating blow to the admiral. This whole scene is quite educational.
Ramage is given a month furlough before a new ship will be available. He is thrilled to be invited to spend it at a mountain retreat with the passengers including the daughter. This, plus some denigrating words regarding the son in law by the parents and daughter are the closest we get to a hint that a tryst might be in the works after the end of the book. Pope is very discreet in this area.
This was quite an interesting story, well told. Four and a half stars.
French privateers make a move on Yorke’s ship which is the best laid up and carries the plenipotentiaries. Ramage has been watching them and is able to cut them off at the crucial moment, saving ship and passengers before the pirate gets off even one shot. The owner and passengers, including their very attractive young but married daughter, are most gracious and very happy with Ramage’s actions. However, Admiral Goddard is expected to try to turn the action into a black mark for Ramage. Only a day later, the brooding hurricane strikes, and all the ships are in trouble. Yorke’s ship is dismasted as is the Triton when Ramage tries to assist him. Both ships float with the current and the wind to land on a small Spanish island. The island triggers a number of new adventures resulting in the capture of the monthly supplies boat and the return of all to Kingston, their original destination.
In Kingston Ramage faces his biggest battle, with the Admiral who accuses him of cowardice. He fights well and brings his weapons to play (the plenipotentiaries) at the correct time and deals a terminating blow to the admiral. This whole scene is quite educational.
Ramage is given a month furlough before a new ship will be available. He is thrilled to be invited to spend it at a mountain retreat with the passengers including the daughter. This, plus some denigrating words regarding the son in law by the parents and daughter are the closest we get to a hint that a tryst might be in the works after the end of the book. Pope is very discreet in this area.
This was quite an interesting story, well told. Four and a half stars.
August 9, 2021
This book took me a while to get through because I was distracted. On the whole an ok book in the Ramage series.
Spoilers ahead:
There are basically 3 parts:
1) Ramage and the Triton are part of a convoy escort under the hated Rear Admiral Goddard. A strange ship is allowed to join and ends up attacking another convoy ship, the Topaz. The Triton beats off the attack despite Goddard's lack of leadership. Then there is a huge hurricane. All the ships are separated and both the Triton and Topaz are dismasted and wrecked on Snake Island. The section on the hurricane is very well written and informative.
2) Once on the island they discover that there is only a small Spanish military detachment. And they are using slaves to dig all over the island. They find that the Spanish soldiers are digging for treasure. They capture the Spanish and free the slaves. The Spanish have a clue that they decipher and they dig up the treasure themselves. Then they capture the Spanish provision ship and sail it to Kingston. Part of this section was a bit too long and I fast read through it. There is some romance between Ramage and one of the passengers but I found it a bit superfluous and gratuitous.
3) Once back at Kingston Ramage is court martialed by Goddard who is still holding his grudge against his father and continuing his vendetta. I found some of the trial very long winded and fast read through it. The long and short of it was that Ramage was not found guilty because he was able to provide witnesses who testified that Goddard lied through his teeth about Ramage's performance in the convoy battle against the strange ship. The witnesses were passengers in the Topaz and were French aristocrats in the old regime and were highly influential. The book ends with the admiral in command of the station deciding to side with Ramage and gives him a ship.
This book was a bit unusual because it didn't really have much action. The sections on the hurricane, the treasure hunt and the trial were a good change of pace.
Spoilers ahead:
There are basically 3 parts:
1) Ramage and the Triton are part of a convoy escort under the hated Rear Admiral Goddard. A strange ship is allowed to join and ends up attacking another convoy ship, the Topaz. The Triton beats off the attack despite Goddard's lack of leadership. Then there is a huge hurricane. All the ships are separated and both the Triton and Topaz are dismasted and wrecked on Snake Island. The section on the hurricane is very well written and informative.
2) Once on the island they discover that there is only a small Spanish military detachment. And they are using slaves to dig all over the island. They find that the Spanish soldiers are digging for treasure. They capture the Spanish and free the slaves. The Spanish have a clue that they decipher and they dig up the treasure themselves. Then they capture the Spanish provision ship and sail it to Kingston. Part of this section was a bit too long and I fast read through it. There is some romance between Ramage and one of the passengers but I found it a bit superfluous and gratuitous.
3) Once back at Kingston Ramage is court martialed by Goddard who is still holding his grudge against his father and continuing his vendetta. I found some of the trial very long winded and fast read through it. The long and short of it was that Ramage was not found guilty because he was able to provide witnesses who testified that Goddard lied through his teeth about Ramage's performance in the convoy battle against the strange ship. The witnesses were passengers in the Topaz and were French aristocrats in the old regime and were highly influential. The book ends with the admiral in command of the station deciding to side with Ramage and gives him a ship.
This book was a bit unusual because it didn't really have much action. The sections on the hurricane, the treasure hunt and the trial were a good change of pace.
February 13, 2021
between the previous book in the series and this, i sometimes feel like i'm reading seagoing detective novels, and that's ok by me. it lends some uniqueness and prevents the stories from being simply derivative of other nautical military classics. ramage does solve his mysteries at an awfully slow pace, likely due to a remarkable lack of self-confidence, but after all, isn't that one of the qualities that made hornblower so endearing? in the end, he always gets the job done, as you know he will. i'm looking forward to continuing the series; i'm interested in seeing ramage promoted and adding some new characters and officers to the crew.
February 5, 2024
Great Adventure
These Ramage novels are like sugary soda, full of empty literary calories that go down smoothly. Foregoing any of the plot complexities of his peers, Pope has our benighted protagonist surviving hurricanes, searching for buried treasure, wooing the pretty ladies, and turning the tables on his rivals. It’s all so unlikely and fantastic, but also very fun. At some point the always improving fortunes of young lieutenant Ramage will become annoying, but for now it’s an escape worthy of an afternoon.
These Ramage novels are like sugary soda, full of empty literary calories that go down smoothly. Foregoing any of the plot complexities of his peers, Pope has our benighted protagonist surviving hurricanes, searching for buried treasure, wooing the pretty ladies, and turning the tables on his rivals. It’s all so unlikely and fantastic, but also very fun. At some point the always improving fortunes of young lieutenant Ramage will become annoying, but for now it’s an escape worthy of an afternoon.
February 21, 2021
First, the description of sailing through the hurricane was splendid. Second, it isn’t too realistic to believe that Ramage could work himself through his court martial as if he were a lawyer with tons of experience. Kind of reminded me of Tom Cruise in “A Few Good Men”. However, I enjoyed reading it. It wasn’t as good as the earlier ones, but good enough to hold my interest.
February 19, 2025
A wonderfully exciting adventure in which Ramage battles enemies within and without. Skilfully plotted and artfully written, this is a worthy instalment in Ramage’s rise.
Not only is his character convincingly drawn but so are the supporting cast who add much to the adventure.
I am delighted there are many more in the series.
Not only is his character convincingly drawn but so are the supporting cast who add much to the adventure.
I am delighted there are many more in the series.
November 20, 2021
OK book in the Ramage series. Not a whole lot of action. He starts off on convoy duty, then he is caught in a shipwreck and marooned on a small island with his crew. The finale is yet another court martial done by enemies of his father.
June 5, 2022
a terrific story
What a great read. Lots of action and intrigue at every level. Many interesting and colorful characters not previously introduced in the series. Great story of doing the right thing and overcoming despicable enemies.
What a great read. Lots of action and intrigue at every level. Many interesting and colorful characters not previously introduced in the series. Great story of doing the right thing and overcoming despicable enemies.
August 22, 2023
Great Book
I really enjoyed this book and the evolution of the story. I was only disappointed that it was the only book in the series not available on Kobo Canada. Glad I found it in the Kindle library.
I really enjoyed this book and the evolution of the story. I was only disappointed that it was the only book in the series not available on Kobo Canada. Glad I found it in the Kindle library.
October 11, 2024
A fascinating if convoluted finish to an interesting read. It would have been five stars were it not for the unnecessary inclusion in places of really technical detail which can better be found in Pope’s “Life in Nelson’s Navy”.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2021
4th in the series and this time he is more on land but still a great read.
July 26, 2021
Pope does a great job with these. I think I'll take a break from the series when nearing the end of one but, then, start the next one immediately.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews