Table of Contents

Flying Squadron Contents PART ONE: HAWKS AND DOVES Cawsand Bay 1 The King's Messenger 2 Roast Pork and Politics 3 A Capital Shot 4 The Paineite 5 An Invitation 6 The Widow Shaw 7 A Riot in the Blood 8 The Master Commandant 9 After the Fall 10 The Parthian Shot PART TWO: THE COMMODORE Gantley Hall 11 A Crossing of Rubicons 12 David and Goliath 13 The Intruder 14 Cry Havoc ... 15 The Whaler PART THREE: A FURIOUS ASIDE The Admiralty 16 The Dogs of War 17 The Flying Squadron The Puppet-master Author's Note

About the Author

Captain Richard Martin Woodman retired in 1997 from a 37-year nautical career. Woodman's Nathaniel Drinkwater series is often compared to the work of the late Patrick O'Brian. Woodman is the author of some two dozen nautical novels, as well as several nonfiction books. Unlike many other modern naval historical novelists, such as C.S. Forester or O'Brian, he has served afloat. He went to sea at the age of sixteen as an indentured midshipman and spent eleven years in command. His experience ranges from cargo-liners to ocean weather ships and specialist support vessels to yachts, square-riggers, and trawlers. Said Lloyd's List of his work: "As always, Richard Woodman's story is closely based on actual historical events. All this we have come to expect—and he adds that special ambience of colourful credibility which makes his nautical novels such rattling good reads."