The Corvette: A Nathaniel Drinkwater Novel

By Richard Woodman

The frozen splendor of the Arctic Ocean and the absorbing drama of a nineteenth-century whale hunt unfold in The Corvette.

Rewarded by promotion for his services at the Battle of Copenhagen, Commander Drinkwater is dispatched in haste to replace the captain of the Melusine, who has been shot in a duel. The ship sails as an escort to a whaling fleet on its annual expedition to the Greenland Sea in pursuit of right whales.

During the whale hunt, the loss of one of the vessels sets off a chain of misfortune. Disaster, death, and treachery result. To repair his ship, Drinkwater seeks shelter off the Greenland coast and finds more hazards than the Arctic alone can produce. It is here that Drinkwater makes the most difficult decision of his career.

• Language: English
• Publisher: RowmanLittlefield
• Release date: Sep 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781493062225

Richard Woodman

Richard Woodman has previously worked for The Trinity House Service. He is also the author of the Nathanial Drinkwater stories and other maritime works.

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Reviews for The Corvette

[jamespurcell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good entry in this quite good series. Drinkwater is given command of a sloop and the duty of safeguarding England's Arctic whalers. Good insights into the techniques and economics of this aspect of a seagoing industry. Much about working and surviving in wooden ships in the weather and other challenges of this difficult seascape. A rousing good sea battle makes a satisfying conclusion to this well told story.