The captain

This article represents the novel by CS Forester. See also The Captain (disambiguation)

The Captain is CS Forester's first book in the Hornblower cycle . It first appeared in 1937 . The original title is "The Happy Return". In the USA the book was published under the title "Beat to Quarters". The film The King's Admiral is based in part on this book.

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The book is set in 1806. Spain is still allied with Napoleon. In order to damage Spain, Hornblower receives the order with his frigate Lydia, without being sighted en route, to South America to support an uprising against Spain. At the same time he reads in his orders that there is a Spanish warship, the Natividad, almost twice as large, which he is supposed to find and destroy. At the same time, he should also promote English trade. If he still has time, he too can go hunting for Spanish galleons; a pinch would make the poor captain a rich man.

Contrary to expectations, Hornblower manages to cope with the navigational difficulties, to take the Natividad by surprise and to get the uprising going by allying himself with the half-mad dictator 'el Supremo'. Then he learns that Spain has now become an ally. He sinks the Natividad with great losses. He repairs his damaged ship on a desert island after the Spanish refused to give him any help.

On the way back he falls in love with Lady Barbara Wellesley, but does not dare to approach her because of the great social difference. (In the novel, Lady Wellesley is the younger sister of Arthur Wellesley , the Duke of Wellington)

Of course, the Admiralty refuses to give him any prize money for the Natividad. His achievements are not recognized; without them there would have been fewer problems with Spain. A less capable captain would have gained more recognition.

Forester describes Hornblower as a shy, self-critical person who is nevertheless capable of great achievements when it matters.