Drinkwater short stories

As well as the series Richard Woodman has written 2 short stories about Nathaniel Drinkwater. "The Steeple Rock" is set in 1788, in between "An Eye of the Fleet" and "A King's Cutter". It was published in "The Mammoth Book of Men o' War" in 1999. "The Night Attack" is set in August 1801, in between "The Bomb Vessel" and "The Corvette". It was published in "The Mammoth Book of Hearts of Oak" in 2001.

This is a series I persisted in finishing "despite" myself. It was basically, I-need-some-nautical-fiction-to-read-so-I'll-keep reading-this situation.

These are "classic Drinkwater" and I only wish Woodman had written a few more of them. In THE STEEPLE ROCK we have Drinkwater early in his career (1788) as a Mate under the auspices of Trinity House. He's given "a mission" and scant resources to complete it........and "the natives" aren't friendly. It's only 40 pages in a (large pocket size paperback) from the Mommoth series of HNF stories

Woodman's other offering is a stand alone short storey that finds Commander Drinkwater in 1801 (shortly before the peace of Amiens). His mission is a key component of Nelson's last attempt to disrupt the planned French cross channel invasion. The plan has been hastily put together, the tides are critical , coordination isn't the best and it's going to happen "in the dark" (he didn't call it THE NIGHT ATTACK because he ran out of names) !!......what else do you need to hold your attention for 28 pages.

These Mommoth books [/b]MEN O'WAR and SEA BATTLES[b] are more than worth the price, not only for Woodman's offerings, but the 38 other short stories of HNF they bring you in 30-60 minute "snacks". ENJOY