Anthony Barton

Save the Convoy! Anthony Barton

YOU CAN'T COMMAND THE CONVOY. YOU'RE A WOMAN. Corrie and her tiny frigate Swift are all that lie between England and financial ruin. The China Fleet is worth millions. A substantial and well-armed French squadron is closing in, determined to sink all forty ships. What can Corrie do? If she is appointed Commodore of the convoy, who will obey her signals? How can she overcome the prejudice of the East India captains? To make matters worse, every day makes it harder for her to disguise the fact that she is expecting a baby. Her voyage is fraught with danger, for herself and for her child-to-be. WOMEN IN ACTIONWhen a frigate was cleared for action, the ladies dining in the gun-room found the atmosphere induced somnolence. - Carola OmanJeanette said she was stationed during the action in the passage of the fore-magazine to assist in handing up the powder. - An officer of the RevengeQueen Victoria issued a directive that anyone, 'without any reservation as to sex, ' who was present during the naval actions of the Napoleonic wars was entitled to a gold medal. Sir Byam Martin, appointed to consider applications, wrote that Jane Townsend, aboard the Defiance at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 was entitled to an award since she produced, 'Strong and highly satisfactory certificates of her useful during the action services.' However, Martin added, 'upon further consideration, this cannot be allowed.' - Julie Wheelwright