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Percival Merewether #1
The East Indiaman
The first volume in the author's trilogy about the Honorable East India Company during the Napoleonic War era and Captain Percival Merewether of the Company Ship Rapid.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
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About the author
Ellis K. Meacham
10 books7 followersEllis Kirby Meacham (September 5, 1913-August 17, 1998) was an American attorney and judge who wrote three Napoleonic era nautical adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 1, 2022
well written book featuring a little known navy, March 11, 2017
Verified Purchase
This review is from: The East Indiaman (Percival Merewether Book 1) (Kindle Edition)
East Indiaman is a departure in naval fiction set in the era of the Napoleonic Wars. Instead of the British Royal Navy, the action is told from the point of view of officers, men and ships of the Bombay Marine, the private navy of the Honorable East India Company. Mr. Meacham wrote two more novels about this navy and fictional captain Percival Merewether. This first novel is a well written book divided into three sections which, while related, could have been published as separate novellas. My main objection is that Merewhether is always lucky and successful. After the reader realizes this, there is not so much suspense. He is also very lucky in the abilities of his officers. However, the way Merewether prevails is interesting to read about as is the not very well known activities of the Bombay Marine.
The records of the Bombay Marine were lost in a fire in 1860 so there is not a lot of written history on the subject. There is a short history located at a website, barnettmaritime. There is also another three novel series featuring the Bombay Marine. Porter Hill wrote these three with Adam Horne as the main protagonist. I believe that the first novel is entitled The Bombay Marines. Hill's novels are not quite as well written as Meacham's but contain a lot of action and are quick, easy reads.
Verified Purchase
This review is from: The East Indiaman (Percival Merewether Book 1) (Kindle Edition)
East Indiaman is a departure in naval fiction set in the era of the Napoleonic Wars. Instead of the British Royal Navy, the action is told from the point of view of officers, men and ships of the Bombay Marine, the private navy of the Honorable East India Company. Mr. Meacham wrote two more novels about this navy and fictional captain Percival Merewether. This first novel is a well written book divided into three sections which, while related, could have been published as separate novellas. My main objection is that Merewhether is always lucky and successful. After the reader realizes this, there is not so much suspense. He is also very lucky in the abilities of his officers. However, the way Merewether prevails is interesting to read about as is the not very well known activities of the Bombay Marine.
The records of the Bombay Marine were lost in a fire in 1860 so there is not a lot of written history on the subject. There is a short history located at a website, barnettmaritime. There is also another three novel series featuring the Bombay Marine. Porter Hill wrote these three with Adam Horne as the main protagonist. I believe that the first novel is entitled The Bombay Marines. Hill's novels are not quite as well written as Meacham's but contain a lot of action and are quick, easy reads.
July 27, 2017
“Hands to the braces!” roared Merewether. “Wear ship. Port your helm.” Does this bring the tang of salt spray to your senses? If so, you might want to give The East Indiaman a go.
Percival Merewether, who as a lad of 8 was consigned by his grandfather to a British East India Company ship, at the start of this series has risen to the position of captain in a series of promotions that would almost be impossible with his humble beginnings. This first book of the series has plenty of action that ties in with the Napoleonic Wars and other events such as the Sepoy Mutiny (1806). The book appears well researched but you need to love the period and nautical terminology to receive full enjoyment. Unlike many other novels of this period, Meachem chooses as his subject the private navy of the British East India Company, known as the Bombay Marine (since about 1686).
As a veteran of the many novels of Patrick O’Brian, I have built up my vocabulary but still keep Dean King’s A Sea of Words at the ready.
“The frigate’s spanker gaff seemed to roll up on itself; the close-hauled sail disappeared, collapsed across the quarterdeck, quite evidently fouling the helm. The mizzen topsail and royal changed shape. Braces parted. Without a hand at the wheel, the frigate came up into the wind. “Hands to the braces!” cried Merewether. He came left as a ragged broadside erupted from the starboard side of the frigate. All the shot fell well to starboard as Merewether headed to cross the frigate’s stern. He could see the crew on the poop chopping away at the tangled mess of canvas, cordage and splintered spars, could guess at the party below decks rigging relieving tackles in the lazaret for emergency steering.”
Merewether is a man of action, if not always a man of judgment and discernment. He lacks the nuances of character that O’Brian brought to Aubrey. So far, there are no interests displayed except for duty and women; no hobbies such as a musical instrument or art or natural philosophy. But, there are other books to carry on his adventures and I am sure I will eventually give them a chance. Making way on this sea of optimism I will put down 4 stars though this book deserves no more than 3.5.
My thanks to my GR friend, Jean Poulos, for calling this series to my attention. Her review was a big reason why I quickly inserted The East Indiaman in my priority reading list. Meacham is no longer with us, but his contribution to historical novels is there to be discovered.
Percival Merewether, who as a lad of 8 was consigned by his grandfather to a British East India Company ship, at the start of this series has risen to the position of captain in a series of promotions that would almost be impossible with his humble beginnings. This first book of the series has plenty of action that ties in with the Napoleonic Wars and other events such as the Sepoy Mutiny (1806). The book appears well researched but you need to love the period and nautical terminology to receive full enjoyment. Unlike many other novels of this period, Meachem chooses as his subject the private navy of the British East India Company, known as the Bombay Marine (since about 1686).
As a veteran of the many novels of Patrick O’Brian, I have built up my vocabulary but still keep Dean King’s A Sea of Words at the ready.
“The frigate’s spanker gaff seemed to roll up on itself; the close-hauled sail disappeared, collapsed across the quarterdeck, quite evidently fouling the helm. The mizzen topsail and royal changed shape. Braces parted. Without a hand at the wheel, the frigate came up into the wind. “Hands to the braces!” cried Merewether. He came left as a ragged broadside erupted from the starboard side of the frigate. All the shot fell well to starboard as Merewether headed to cross the frigate’s stern. He could see the crew on the poop chopping away at the tangled mess of canvas, cordage and splintered spars, could guess at the party below decks rigging relieving tackles in the lazaret for emergency steering.”
Merewether is a man of action, if not always a man of judgment and discernment. He lacks the nuances of character that O’Brian brought to Aubrey. So far, there are no interests displayed except for duty and women; no hobbies such as a musical instrument or art or natural philosophy. But, there are other books to carry on his adventures and I am sure I will eventually give them a chance. Making way on this sea of optimism I will put down 4 stars though this book deserves no more than 3.5.
My thanks to my GR friend, Jean Poulos, for calling this series to my attention. Her review was a big reason why I quickly inserted The East Indiaman in my priority reading list. Meacham is no longer with us, but his contribution to historical novels is there to be discovered.
July 18, 2017
This is a story about the British East India Company and its navy referred to as the Bombay Marine. Our protagonist is Percival Merewether, who just received his promotion to Captain and obtained his first command. His ship is the HEICS Rapid, an East India Warship, with ten, nine pounders. The ship had been a slaver prior to being acquired by the East India Company and was a fast ship. The year is 1806, the beginning of the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815). The East India Company maintained its own army and navy to protect its company interest and trade routes.
I enjoy reading about sailing ships in the Napoleonic era. It is delightful to read about the East India Company for a change. It seems most stories are about the Royal British Navy. The book is well written and researched. The characters are interesting and the plot is straight forward. The story is full of action with lots of pirates and French warships. Looking forward to the next book in the series. Ellis K. Meacham (1913-1994) was an American attorney and judge, who wrote Napoleonic era nautical adventures.
I read this book as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is fourteen and a half hours long. Steven Crossley does a good job narrating the book. Crossley is an actor and award-winning audiobook narrator.
I enjoy reading about sailing ships in the Napoleonic era. It is delightful to read about the East India Company for a change. It seems most stories are about the Royal British Navy. The book is well written and researched. The characters are interesting and the plot is straight forward. The story is full of action with lots of pirates and French warships. Looking forward to the next book in the series. Ellis K. Meacham (1913-1994) was an American attorney and judge, who wrote Napoleonic era nautical adventures.
I read this book as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is fourteen and a half hours long. Steven Crossley does a good job narrating the book. Crossley is an actor and award-winning audiobook narrator.
September 8, 2018
Like so many other in the 70'ties my parents subscribed to a book club and it's the books from there that builds up my earliest memories of reading, authors like Desmond Bagley, Morris West, Arthur Hailey , Alistair MacLean and Hammond Innes filled my early teenage days with uncomplicated action and adventures, supplemented with the occasional Graham Greene, Daphne du Maurier, Margaret Mitchell and Nevil Shute .
In recent years i have realized that a lot of these books were random picks of the authors works and even sometimes subsets of series and have started to fill some of the gaps.
The East Indiaman is the first part of a trilogy of which i have only read 2 volumes, it tells the story of the Bombay Marine, a private naval force, though the eyes of a young captain.
The story is very maritime, smelling of saltwater, tall ships, pirates and rum, a real boys tale.
But underneath all the action and bravado our young captain have real human worries and concerns and tries to act moral even against his orders. Of course this is still the late 1800 and the Bombay Marines task is maintain a Trade monopoly, ensure the suppressed natives do not revolt and commit the occasional act of state-sanctioned piracy against a french or dutch ship, so there are limits to the the liberal thinking allowed our captain.
All in all a pleasant revisit and i fully intent to read the remaining 2 volumes.
In recent years i have realized that a lot of these books were random picks of the authors works and even sometimes subsets of series and have started to fill some of the gaps.
The East Indiaman is the first part of a trilogy of which i have only read 2 volumes, it tells the story of the Bombay Marine, a private naval force, though the eyes of a young captain.
The story is very maritime, smelling of saltwater, tall ships, pirates and rum, a real boys tale.
But underneath all the action and bravado our young captain have real human worries and concerns and tries to act moral even against his orders. Of course this is still the late 1800 and the Bombay Marines task is maintain a Trade monopoly, ensure the suppressed natives do not revolt and commit the occasional act of state-sanctioned piracy against a french or dutch ship, so there are limits to the the liberal thinking allowed our captain.
All in all a pleasant revisit and i fully intent to read the remaining 2 volumes.
June 1, 2017
Stimulating read
I enjoyed this book enormously. The detail and suspense kept one enthralled throughout. I would love to read a sequel as the style and content is rarely found today. Thanks for a great read. I could not put the book down until I had finished it. Thank you
I enjoyed this book enormously. The detail and suspense kept one enthralled throughout. I would love to read a sequel as the style and content is rarely found today. Thanks for a great read. I could not put the book down until I had finished it. Thank you
December 19, 2022
This book is the first in a series of sea novels set in the Napoleonic era, a well-mined segment of history. However, its twist is that the focus is on a captain of the Bengal Marines, an armed private naval force that the East India Company set in India. So instead of Royal Navy, its private business.
The captain himself is a sort of Hornblower type, although not as richly expressed. We're told that he has self doubt and uncertainty the way Hornblower did, but without it being shown or demonstrated in his decisions. In fact, most of this book is a lot of telling us about things instead of taking the time to show them.
All the wealth of Patrick O'Brian's dinner party scenes, all the depth of Forester's depiction of Hornblower as a man wracked with self doubt, self punishing, and even self loathing while giving the face of confidence and strength is missing. We get summaries of most events, with a few finishing thoughts by Captain Merewether.
Its pretty competently written otherwise, but the emotional impact, sense of immersion, characterization, and feeling of connection to any of the characters is robbed by them being a description and narration rather than a depiction. The action scenes are well done and plausible. The stories, this being a series of events and encounters without much tying it together other than Captain Merewether and the Rapid, are interesting because of the different setting and the culture of the East India company.
The problem is that there's never any feeling that things will turn out any way but with the Captain succeeding. He never genuinely feels in any real danger, and when a toe is dipped into threat, something makes sure its never really a problem.
Its not all bad, in fact, its mostly good. Its just not as good as it could or ought to have been. The potential here is enormous, and Meacham's grasp of culture and time is good. He does well with history and with how things were done at the time. The characters are mostly distinct, interesting, and often unpredictable.
Merewether himself is pretty unique in the annals of captains, although he seems to be a bit too much catnip, with every woman wanting him upon first glance despite the repeatedly described many physical damage he's taken over the years (broken nose, burnt sided of his face, etc). I am curious if later books are more experienced in writing and show more than they tell.
The captain himself is a sort of Hornblower type, although not as richly expressed. We're told that he has self doubt and uncertainty the way Hornblower did, but without it being shown or demonstrated in his decisions. In fact, most of this book is a lot of telling us about things instead of taking the time to show them.
All the wealth of Patrick O'Brian's dinner party scenes, all the depth of Forester's depiction of Hornblower as a man wracked with self doubt, self punishing, and even self loathing while giving the face of confidence and strength is missing. We get summaries of most events, with a few finishing thoughts by Captain Merewether.
Its pretty competently written otherwise, but the emotional impact, sense of immersion, characterization, and feeling of connection to any of the characters is robbed by them being a description and narration rather than a depiction. The action scenes are well done and plausible. The stories, this being a series of events and encounters without much tying it together other than Captain Merewether and the Rapid, are interesting because of the different setting and the culture of the East India company.
The problem is that there's never any feeling that things will turn out any way but with the Captain succeeding. He never genuinely feels in any real danger, and when a toe is dipped into threat, something makes sure its never really a problem.
Its not all bad, in fact, its mostly good. Its just not as good as it could or ought to have been. The potential here is enormous, and Meacham's grasp of culture and time is good. He does well with history and with how things were done at the time. The characters are mostly distinct, interesting, and often unpredictable.
Merewether himself is pretty unique in the annals of captains, although he seems to be a bit too much catnip, with every woman wanting him upon first glance despite the repeatedly described many physical damage he's taken over the years (broken nose, burnt sided of his face, etc). I am curious if later books are more experienced in writing and show more than they tell.
August 27, 2021
Fresh setting for naval adventure
What a delightful find! Though this naval adventure is set during the Napoleonic War (1806), the setting is fresh. The navy is that of the Honorable East India Company (HEIC) based from Calcutta. Percival Merewether (Why, oh why, don’t authors who give their characters uncommon names tell their readers how to pronounce them?) is 27, a bastard, a freshly minted captain in the HEIC navy. He has risen through the ranks during his 16 years of service through his ability, hard work, impressive leadership skills, integrity, and luck. During the three missions recounted in this first volume I came to like and admire him for those attributes but also for the way he cares for others and for his tendency to be highly self critical when he reflects on his actions. He has the winning ability to listen to others, allowing them to operate in their areas of strength, to give credit to others as it is due, while embracing responsibility for his actions and decisions. Merewether truly is a joy to follow.
What a delightful find! Though this naval adventure is set during the Napoleonic War (1806), the setting is fresh. The navy is that of the Honorable East India Company (HEIC) based from Calcutta. Percival Merewether (Why, oh why, don’t authors who give their characters uncommon names tell their readers how to pronounce them?) is 27, a bastard, a freshly minted captain in the HEIC navy. He has risen through the ranks during his 16 years of service through his ability, hard work, impressive leadership skills, integrity, and luck. During the three missions recounted in this first volume I came to like and admire him for those attributes but also for the way he cares for others and for his tendency to be highly self critical when he reflects on his actions. He has the winning ability to listen to others, allowing them to operate in their areas of strength, to give credit to others as it is due, while embracing responsibility for his actions and decisions. Merewether truly is a joy to follow.
February 14, 2022
If you are interested in history in the "colonial period", this is both a good glimpse of what the world was like then, and a terribly entertaining yarn. I love the nautical detail, and the descriptions of haughty British officials is great.
October 14, 2018
Excellent.
Over the years I have read these works by EKM a number of times and enjoyed them immensely. I rank them with the works of VS Forrester.
Over the years I have read these works by EKM a number of times and enjoyed them immensely. I rank them with the works of VS Forrester.
December 4, 2018
14 years? Historical interested? Love for the high seas and men of war? -This is a book for you.
February 28, 2025
Despite the nautical terminology I really enjoyed this book, following Merewether. An easy fun read!I will come back to said Merewether!
May 28, 2025
Action packed nautical novel about the Bombay marine, following newly appointed captain Percival Merewether in his ship "Rapid"
January 9, 2017
A bit of a slow start, but then it picks up with an action-driven plot. Think James Bond meets Pirates of the Caribbean. Not sure about historical accuracy, but it was an entertaining read.
July 8, 2015
Hidden Naval History
I think it is fair to say the early naval history of the Indian continent is a fairly obscure area of interest for most American readers. The author plumbs the depths of this early naval history with vividly drawn characters that build your interest in the continuing story. I marveled at the detailed terminology of the sailing ships of the era. The strategy and the tactics all narrated with a deft hand, the author builds the story with compelling action. The main character is one you want to care about just to find out what happens in the next adventure.
The East Indiaman: a great read, very well done.
I think it is fair to say the early naval history of the Indian continent is a fairly obscure area of interest for most American readers. The author plumbs the depths of this early naval history with vividly drawn characters that build your interest in the continuing story. I marveled at the detailed terminology of the sailing ships of the era. The strategy and the tactics all narrated with a deft hand, the author builds the story with compelling action. The main character is one you want to care about just to find out what happens in the next adventure.
The East Indiaman: a great read, very well done.
July 12, 2009
Bonus: this book with a lovely pulpy cover I picked up for free in the lunchroom had a bibliography in the back. My copy is unfortunately falling apart, but I put /that/ bit in Excel as soon as I logged my library.
July 6, 2015
Very Interesting Story
A concise, accurate account of the possible career of an officer in the Bombay Marine. Good action and realistic action. The court of inquiry was interesting and a prelude to further success.
A concise, accurate account of the possible career of an officer in the Bombay Marine. Good action and realistic action. The court of inquiry was interesting and a prelude to further success.
December 2, 2015
Engrossing and entertaining story of the Bombay Marine of the East Indian Company
December 17, 2015
A very well written and entertaining adventure in a part of the world not usually included in historical novels.
May 30, 2016
Ripping good naval escapades of the English Bombay Marine Service in the 1800s in the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. First in a trilogy relating the many adventures of Perceval Mereweather.
September 7, 2016
Who knew the East India company had their own Navy. Entertaining read set in 1806 with Pirates, China trade, mutiny, storms and interesting characters.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews