Restoring HMS Surprise, Ex HMS Rose, at the Maritime Museum of San Diego

Many years ago, I had the good fortune to sail with a volunteer crew of Patrick O’Brian aficionados from New York to Bermuda on the replica frigate HMS Rose. Despite being rather short on wind, it was a memorable voyage. … Continue reading

The Maritime Museum of San Diego

The first you notice about the Maritime Museum of San Diego are the ships.    When I  visited last week, the 1863 windjammer Star of India was  hove to with two staysails and her spanker set and drawing, and with her … Continue reading

Russell Crowe calls for Master and Commander sequel

Master and Commander – Far Side of the World, loosely based on one or another novel by Patrick O’Brian,  was a movie that I needed to see twice to enjoy.  The first time I saw it, I was so annoyed by the … Continue reading

The Frigate Surprise: The Complete Story of the Ship Made Famous in the Novels of Patrick O’Brian, by Brian Lavery

In his Aubrey/Maturin series, Patrick O’Brian wrote of HMS Surprise, a small British frigate, originally captured from the French. Over several books, the Surprise became almost as beloved a character, in her own way, as Jack Aubrey and Doctor Maturin … Continue reading