Ships of Torbay

Horatio Nelson & a Glossary of Sailing Terms in Gentian Hill

HMS Hercule as depicted in her fight against the frigate Poursuivante. Wikipedia

“Friday, November 23rd, 1804, a still and beautiful blue day…

'Fleet's in!' cried Tom to Zachary. ‘The Brest fleet. Admiral Cornwallis. Reddleman brought the news. What about dinner, Sir?’

‘Dinner be damned!' said the doctor, slapping his beaver hat on the side of his head. 'We'll be off down to the shore while the light's good.’ ”

🌿 Elizabeth Goudge, Gentian Hill

Elizabeth Goudge’s talk of ships and officers in Gentian Hill will sound familiar to those readers who are fans of Jane Austen’s works. This early 1800’s period was the nautical world of Captain Wentworth and Admiral Croft from Persuasion.

Nautical scene from Torbay on the Hodder Books edition of Gentian Hill.

The importance of the navel time period is noted on the back cover of the Hodder Books edition of Gentian Hill:

“A powerful story of courage and endurance, set during the Napoleonic Wars. Unable to bear the prospect of a life at sea, young Anthony O'Connell deserts his ship at Torquay…

Join us today for a look at the great British hero, Horatio Nelson, portraits of the mentioned admirals, a glossary of nautical history and terms found in Gentian Hill, and what it is like to sail on a “tall ship.”

Lord Nelson’s painting was published as early as 1898 in: Sladen, Douglas (1898). "The Nelson Centenary" by Lemuel Francis Abbott

Lord Nelson