Edward Codrington (1770 1851) joined the navy at the age of thirteen. Having narrowly avoided freezing to death in Nova Scotia three years later, he went on to serve during some of the most important naval conflicts of his time. This two-volume biography was first published in 1873, and combines his own accounts with the research of his daughter Lady Bourchier. Volume 1 introduces his friend Bowen, noted for his pink umbrella, the shy and awkward commander of the fleet, Lord Howe, and the sheer terror of the 1793 third battle of Ushant, the British fleet's first major encounter with that of the new French Republic. Included are Codrington's private and public letters, which give anecdotes of his own adventures and hint at the uneasy inner politics of the Admiralty, making this both an entertaining read and a useful resource for students of naval history.

Edward Codrington (1770 1851) joined the navy at the age of thirteen. Having narrowly avoided freezing to death in Nova Scotia three years later, he went on to serve during some of the most important naval conflicts of his time. This two-volume biography was first published in 1873, and combines his own accounts with the research of his daughter Lady Bourchier. Volume 2 opens in 1827 as the English fleet, now under Codrington's command, faces the Turks at the battle of Navarino, now seen as a decisive moment in the struggle for Greek independence. It also includes accounts of the blockade of the Morea, Codrington's terse exchanges with the Ottoman commanders, and a vivid portrayal of the devastation that would ensue should his tactics fail. Structured around the first-hand accounts in Codrington's own correspondence, this is both an entertaining read and a useful resource for students of naval history.