OLD-TIME SEA STORY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 56, 16 December 1941, Page 3

OLD-TIME SEA STORY.

“CAPTAIN FROM CONNECTICUT."

The Book Society’s choice is always dependable and C. S. Forester’s “The Captain from Connecticut” is 110 exception. It is a story of the vaV ot 1812, when the British blockade had immobilised all but one of the United States fleet. The Captain from Connecticut, in command of a frigate, the Delaware, leaves port in a furious gale, cripples a British two-decker ail’d steers south to do what damage he can to convoys bound for England. The opening chapters particularly recall the stirring tales that were popular before mechanisation completely changed methods of war. Then Captain -Peabody acts in. concert with two privateers and lights a stirring action with three British ships. After that he falls in with a French vessel, flying the Bourbon flag—the war with Napoleon had .just ended. The result is that Aiine de Ureul, daughter of the Governor of Martinique introduces a new factor in his 1 i!e. ’The story thus changes in character, for romance takes an equal share with warfare. When Sir Hubert Davenant, Captain ol IT.M.S. Calypso, enters the scene, there ensues a duel not only of actual lighting hut of strategy. How the Delaware and three British warships become involved in the neutrality laws at Martinique and how Peabody finds a solution of the problem of how to meet and defeat his opponents savours ol comedy. But the end is not what he anticipated. “The 'Captain from Connecticut” can he honestly recommended to all who enjoy a stirring story of the sea under the conditions of a eentiiiv and a quarter ago. Michael Joseph, Ltd., London, are the publishers, our review copy being received from Whiteombe and Tombs through Mr Newton C. Jones.