The Life and Times
of Admiral
Sir William Hargood
Book launched in May 2004
Pen & Sword Books Ltd.,
Freepost
47, Church Street
Barnsley
South Yorkshire S70 2BR
01226 734555
http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
enquiries@pen-and-sword.co.uk
Jacket design: Jon Wilkinson
ISBN 1-84415-034-8 Price £19.9
DEFIANT
and DISMASTED at TRAFALGAR
There
is surely no more thrilling period of naval history than that of the
Nelsonian era.
The Royal Navy was at the heart of British life and in near constant
action against the King's enemies, particularly the French. Captain
William Hargood was one of a select band of naval commanders, whose
qualities and actions brought triumph, influence and wealth to their
country.
The greatest of them all was indisputedly Horatio Nelson, a close friend,
but, without men like Hargood, Nelson's achievements would have never
been possible.
By good fortune, an author named Joseph Allen was commissioned by Hargood's widow to record her husband's extraordinary career at sea. One of the few surviving copies of this biography is owned by Sir Charles McGrigor Bt. whose wife Mary is a distinguished author and editor. Recognising the book's importance she has drawn heavily on it to produce a thrilling and revealing account of life and command at sea in the period. Given Hargood's extraordinary career which culminated so dramatically at Trafalgar when his ship the Belleisle (74) was at the centre of the action, there could not have been a better subject. Those who are familiar with the characters of C.S. Forester's and Patrick O'Brian's imaginations will delight in this real-life hero.
