Cast to the Sea: The Making of a King's Officer

1793. War engulfs the Mediterranean as Britain and Revolutionary France fight for command of the seas.

For Robert Ashcombe, the son of a struggling country squire, the Royal Navy is no dream, but an escape. Forced to volunteer into service aboard HMS Fortune, a 36-gun frigate under Captain John Markham, he enters a world of danger and discipline, where survival depends on courage, skill, and ambition.

From the gun decks to the admiral’s table, Robert must master the brutal rhythm of life at sea, the rivalries among his fellow midshipmen, and the unforgiving tests of seamanship. Quick with a sword but untested in command, he soon learns that reputations can be made or destroyed in a single broadside.

When Fortune joins Admiral Lord Hood’s fleet off Corsica, Robert finds himself at the heart of desperate landings, furious chases, and fleet actions against a determined French enemy. The capture of a vital convoy brings him his first independent command, with it a chance to prove himself before captain, comrades, and rivals alike. But at sea, every victory carries a cost, and failure can be fatal.

Rich in historical detail and brimming with action, Cast to the Sea is a gripping naval adventure in the tradition of C.S. Forester and Philip K. Allan. It is the story of a young man thrust into the crucible of war, forging his path from raw midshipman toward the officer he must become.