FitzGerald, who loans him 10 guineas after FitzGerald lost his money to gambling and Peter lost his to a thief. Commodore Anson: He leads the squadron and is captain of HMS Centurion, a strong leader. Mr Keppel: He is already 5 years at sea, a midshipman since age 10, who appears so very young to Peter, and a character from history who rose high in the navy and in society. Mr Ransome: He is an older boy in the midshipmen's berth, once in the crew and promoted by Anson. He is tall and strong and at sea since age 8. Mr Elliot: Midshipman who helps Peter to understand the trigonometry after Funchal. He dies of scurvy while ship goes so slowly around Cape Horn. Captain Callis: He also courted Peter's mother, asks to be remembered to Peter's parents at dinner aboard Centurion. Captain Dandy Kidd: The first Captain of HMS Wager, who Peter meets at dinner with the Commodore. Mr John Byron: Midshipman aboard Wager, who Peter meets at dinner with the Commodore. Mr Saunders: First lieutenant of the Centurion, who often corrects Peter in his duty. He is later promoted to captain on another ship in the squadron. Colonel Cratcherode: Head of the land forces for the squadron, who Peter meets at dinner with the Commodore. Mr Pascoe Thomas: He is schoolmaster for the midshipman, who is long in his position, after 35 years teaching boys at sea. Mr Blew: Master for the Centurion, who teaches navigation to the midshipmen. Mr Saumarez: He is a lieutenant aboard HMS Centurion, who holds Mr Saunders place when he is sent to be captain on HMS Tryal. He is based on a real person in the Royal Navy. Ships Anson's squadron HMS Centurion: fourth-rate ship of 1,005 tons, 60 guns, 400 men and the flagship HMS Gloucester: 853 tons, 50 guns, 300 men HMS Severn: 853 tons, 50 guns, 300 men HMS Pearl: 600 tons, 40 guns, 250 men HMS Wager: 599 tons, 24 guns, 120 men HMS Tryal: 200 tons, 8 guns, 70 men Anna and Industry: two store ships meant to part when the stores could be transferred to the squadron Spanish Manila Galleon Nuestra Señora de la Covadonga: 42 guns, 550 men Reviews Reviews collected were written in 1994 when W W Norton republished the 1956 novel, and more than half of the Aubrey-Maturin series novels had been published.