title: Heart of Oak: A Sailor's Life in Nelson's Navy
author:  James P. McGuane 
description: James McGuane is a master photographer and filmmaker as well as a blacksmith and sculptor. His work is frequently informed by things historical and nautical. He divides his time between his home in Greenwich Village, New York City, and Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
zlib_text: A Ship of the Line
  
  
  (Published in the US as: “Ship of the Line”)
  
  
  
  
  
  C. S. Forester
  
  
  (1938)
  
  
  
  
  
  v1.0
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Chapter I
  
  
  Captain Horatio Hornblower was reading a smudgy proof which the printers had
  just sent round to his lodgings.
  
  
  “To all Young Men of Spirit,” he said. “Seamen, Landsmen, and Boys, who wish
  to strike a Blow for Freedom and to cause the Corsican Tyrant to wish that he
  had never dared the Wrath of these British Isles. His Majesty’s Ship
  Sutherland of two decks and seventy-four guns is at present commissioning at
  Plymouth, and a few Vacancies still exist to complete her Crew. Captain
  Horatio Hornblower in command has lately returned from a Cruise in the South
  Sea during which in command of the Frigate Lydia of thirty-six guns, he
  engaged and sank the Spanish vessel Natividad of two decks and more than twice
  the force. The Officers, Petty Officers, and men of the Lydia have all joined
  him in the Sutherland. What Heart of Oak can resist this Appeal to Join 