Thunderer: Julian Stockwin

1812. Arriving back in England after his successes in the Adriatic, Captain Sir Thomas Kydd is bestowed with honours. In London he`s greeted by the Prince Regent who, despite Kydd`s protestations that he`s happy with his present command, insists he be given a bigger ship - HMS Thunderer, a 74-gun ship of the line. But she`s old, and being part of a standing fleet Kydd`s chances of further fame and distinction are slim indeed.

Winning over his new command is fraught with challenges. A hostile crew, abysmal levels of gunnery and sail-handling capabilities are intolerable to a fighting captain like Kydd. With the ship short of men and no incentives to attract more, can he ever bring Thunderer to a proper state of fighting preparedness?

Kydd is sent to reinforce the Baltic squadron as Bonaparte`s vast army invades Russia. News reaches him of French victory at the Battle of Borodino. The road to Moscow is now open. To avert total French victory, Kydd must lead a vital convoy through battle and tempest to the aid of Britain`s last ally.