<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> T H E B O S U N ' S C H R O N I C L E The official Ezine of the Thomas Kydd Shipmates' network <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> November/December 2007 IT'S THE BUMPER ISSUE - more on the wreck of "The Association", a quiz to test your knowledge of the Kydd series, reader offers from Conway Maritime and our biggest prize chest ever... 1 DISPATCHES 2 BOOKSHELF 3 QUIZ 4 SHIPMATES AHOY! 5 SALTY SAYINGS 6 CONTESTS 7 ENGLAND'S PERFECT STORM 8 HOW DID YOU GO? ==================== 1 DISPATCHES + Event goes off with a bang! Among the readers Julian met at the Appledore Book Festival in North Devon was David Coote, who sent this report for the Chronicle... "On Wednesday, 3 October 2007, Julian made a splendid entrance to the British Legion Hall, Appledore, where he gave a presentation on how he came to write his books about Kydd. He arrived in a carriage drawn by two shire horses, accompanied by his wife, Kathy. He was escorted by officers and soldiers of the Cornish Regiment dressed in appropriate period uniforms, along with a bombardier and gunner of the Royal Artillery who had previously given Julian a rousing cannon salute on the quay! Julian is well-known for his interest in the seamen of the Napoleonic wars, and movingly spoke about the conditions a pressed man could find himself in. To emphasize his point he read a passage from KYDD describing Kydd's first night on a ship of the line.  He later went on to explain that of the thousands of men pressed into service, only about 120 of them made the jump from the foc's'le to the quarterdeck, 20 of them becoming captains of their own ships and three or four of them actually reaching the rank of admiral! Illustrating the helplessness that can sometimes be felt in an impossible situation, he read a passage from THE ADMIRAL'S DAUGHTER.  If you have yet to read it then I won't spoil it for you!" === And if you're ever in the area, a trip to the Appledore Maritime Museum is highly recommended by Julian. Www.devonmuseums.net/appledore + Far flung Kydd Latest addition to Shipmates Album on the website: a photo of Commander Richard Morris, captain of HMS "Southampton", standing with his copy of THE ADMIRAL's DAUGHTER at the whaling station at Grytviken, South Georgia, in the deep reaches of the Antarctic. Commander Morris and his ship are nearing the end of their eight- month deployment that has so far seen the warship travel over 20,000 miles through two oceans and visiting nine countries from Cape Verde in the North Atlantic to the frozen wastes of the South. The ship returns to Portsmouth in December. + Brittany Bound Julian was out and about for much of October, meeting readers and giving talks. It's now heads down for the final polish of book nine; the manuscript is due in to the publisher on December 1 (and will come out in print in October 2008). Then, Julian and Kathy are off on location research to Brittany. Julian will bring you a special report on the trip in the January issue. + McBooks presses running hot... Alex Skutt, head of Julian's American publisher McBooks Press, reports his exciting plans for the Kydd books: "First, our hardcover schedule has finally caught up with the UK - starting with THE ADMIRAL'S DAUGHTER and from this point forward, McBooks hardcover editions of each new book will be published simultaneously with the corresponding UK editions. Second, in 2008, we will unify the Kydd series in the U.S. under the McBooks banner. Before we started publishing Julian's novels, beginning with the paperback of MUTINY, Scribner had done the first three books in the series. We have now purchased the U.S. paperback publishing rights to KYDD, ARTEMIS and SEAFLOWER from Scribner. So, next year, we will reissue these three volumes in new trade paperback editions, uniform in style to the later books in the series. We look forward to the day when the Kydd sea adventures are as widely known and loved on our side of the Atlantic as they are in Britain. My best regards to the 'Bosun's Chronicle' readers!" For a chance to win a set of the latest McBooks Kydd publications - the hardback of THE ADMIRAL'S DAUGHTER and the paperback of TENACIOUS, see CONTESTS. + Teazer taking shape John Thompson's model is starting to show her lovely lines. You can follow John's progress on the website www.Julianstockwin.com ->SHIPMATES ->BUILDING TEAZER. + There's mutiny in the air... Hugo Wilkinson of Hodder & Stoughton's audiobook division was delighted at the response from British Airways trans-Atlantic passengers to the abridged audiobook of MUTINY which has been available as in- flight entertainment over the past three months, and will continue to be available for another month. Says Hugo, "More people will be introduced to the adventures of Thomas Kydd as a result. And hopefully listeners will appreciate the fact that crossing the Atlantic is slightly easier these days than it was for Kydd..." + Coins, cannon - and wedding rings Following last month's item on the sinking of Sir Clowdesley Shovell's fleet, Commander Steven Montgomery of the Royal Australian Navy emailed with details of the expedition that discovered the wreck site - his father was actually the expedition officer... "The diving team was led by LCDR Jack Gayton and the Expedition Officer was Wardmaster Lieutenant Terence Montgomery. The expedition members were from the Naval Aviation Command Sub-aqua Club, NACSAC. The Royal Navy did three expeditions. The find sparked off a huge search and salvage frenzy for wrecks, particularly from commercial divers such as Roland Morris, who published a book called 'Island Treasure'. Another book on this event was 'Admiral Shovell's Treasure' by Richard Larn. The wrecks yielded not only gold and silver coins of different denomination: crowns, guineas, 4000 Reece Portuguese coins, pieces of eight etc. but also 9 foot long 3 ton bronze cannon, one bearing 'Le Duc de Montfort' arms - and several wedding rings. The stern of the 'Association', where it was reputed Shovell had his gold table service, was never located." ==================== 2 BOOKSHELF "The History of Seafaring. Navigating the World's Oceans" by Donald Johnson and Juha Nurminen Published by Conway Maritime Press. GBP40.00 ISBN: 9781844860401 Conway Maritime is renowned for publication of books of the highest quality in terms of scholarship and visual presentation. Their latest offering, "The History of Seafaring", however, sets a new standard. This magnificent book, five years in the making, celebrates two and a half millennia of man's seaborne voyages from the Phoenicians and Chinese up to modern times, and features over 270 colour illustrations - manuscripts and rutters, portolans and sea charts, ship's instruments and artefacts, many never seen in print before. The book was launched in splendid style at the Royal Geographical Society. Shipmates can order "The History of Seafaring" for £35.00 including free UK p&p by calling 0870787 1613 and quoting reference CH811. And for a chance to win a copy, see CONTESTS. Shipmates can also order a copy of another recent Conway Maritime publication, "The Royal Navy Officer's Pocket Book" for just £4.99, including free UK p&p, using the details above. It's a delightful little volume, originally printed in 1944, and still retaining much of the traditions and lore that Kydd learned when he achieved the quarterdeck. Here's an excerpt from a section on Word of Command - "Fill up your chest before giving an order... The amount of grip which can be obtained by a good word of command is remarkable. The amount of strength of body and enthusiasm exerted by your men is in proportion to the grip of the person in charge and his ability to enhearten them." ==================== 3 QUIZ It's now become tradition that we have a special quiz in the Bumper Issue. See how well you know the Kydd series with these ten questions! Answers at the end of the newsletter. 1. In KYDD, who is "Mantrap" and who is "Shaney Jack"? 2. Where did Kydd and Renzi hide in St. Pontrieux? 3. In SEAFLOWER what local delicacies do Kydd and Renzi snack on, en route to the plantation? 4. What type of ship is "Seaflower"? How many of the other ships in which Kydd serves can you name? 5. What is Renzi's nickname that is divulged in Venice? Although he was not named, can you guess who his traveling companion during his earlier visit as part of his Grand Tour could be? 6. In MUTINY, who did the mutineers send with an ultimatum addressed to the King himself? 7. In which year did two UK hardback editions of the series come out? 8. Which naval battle is featured in TENACIOUS? Can you name other battles in which Kydd has fought? 9. In COMMAND where does Renzi take up a small landholding? 10.What gifts did Kydd bring back to his family from Terra Australis? ==================== 4 SHIPMATES AHOY! Julian loves hearing from his readers around the world, and responds to them all. You can email him on Julian@Julianstockwin.com Here's three recent correspondents:- > Gary Brindle hails from the Highlands of Scotland. He served 22 years in the Royal Air Force; the highlight of which was five months in the Celebes as part of Operation Drake on board the brigantine "Eye of the Wind". [Operation Drake was a two-year round the world expedition involving 414 young explorers from 27 countries.] Gary now specialises in commercial aerial photography. Www.scotaviaimages.co.uk He discovered the Kydd books in a local library and says "Bedtimes will never be the same again." > George Moore has made his home in Spain with his wife Anne. His great great grandfather was a "Carpenter to the Crown" and apart from building and racing yachts he worked on the 'Titanic' in Belfast. George, an ex- Admiral's Cup contender, has a very active nautical life and recently sailed to the Channel Islands. When Julian told him that by chance he would be following in Kydd's wake (book nine is set entirely in Guernsey and thereabouts) he was thrilled. [You can see a picture of George in the Shipmates Album on the website.] > Derek Bommelje lives in Illinois in the States and works for a company that produces magnets, notepads and such. He says his only connection with the sea is that his grandfather used to take him sailing when he was younger. "Now 24 years old, I don't ordinarily read books in this genre, but the covers attracted me to your books. What I love is that you have written a continuing story, rather than a whole bunch of books about separate adventures. It's a great escape into a world I've never experienced..." ==================== 5 SALTY SAYINGS Keelhaul Today, if we talk about the someone being keelhauled, he receives a savage rebuke for some action. The origins of this phrase are definitely salty - but fortunately the experience of being keelhauled today is somewhat less severe than in the past! The practice was not actually an official punishment in the Royal Navy, although it was reportedly used by some Royal Navy captains and merchant marine captains. In the Dutch Navy it was legally permitted, and not formally abolished until 1853. (The term is from the Dutch kiel, keel and halen, haul.) The unfortunate victim of keelhauling was suspended over the water by a rope attached to his back with a weight on his legs. Another rope fastened to him lead under the ship's bottom and through a block at its opposite yard arm. He was then hauled under the ship to the opposite side of the vessel to the other yard arm. If he didn't die from drowning, he would likely be torn to pieces from barnacles on the ship's hull. ==================== 6 CONTESTS Deadline: November 25. Bosun@Julianstockwin.com Don't forget to include your full postal address + Pick your own print! Julian has a long-held admiration for the work of the marine painter John Chancellor who sadly died at a relatively young age. Although Chancellor's ships are meticulously correct in every detail, it is his portrayal of the various moods and modes of the sea that most draws Julian to his work. Julian admits to having to stand with a sailor's braced legs in front of Chancellor's seas, so realistic are they. For a chance to choose your own limited edition Chancellor print from the selection at www.Johnchancellor.co.uk here's the question:- Name two of John Chancellor's paintings available as limited edition prints which feature HMS "Indefatigable" under Sir Edward Pellew's squadron. + November/December Lucky Dip What special anniversary connected with Lord Nelson is celebrated next year? + Win "The History of Seafaring" The book's cover features a detail from the Dutch masterpiece painted around 1680,"The Gust". Who was the painter? + Kydd memorabilia We have six packs of assorted signed Kydd cover postcards to give away to the first names out of the hat on closing day. + A McBooks Press edition of THE ADMIRAL'S DAUGHTER plus their paperback edition of TENACIOUS is up for grabs. Which Kydd book was the first to be published by McBooks Press? === Winners all - congratulations to last month's prize recipients: Andy Marsden wins a signed copy of the UK edition of THE ADMIRAL'S DAUGHTER, a copy of "Tars" goes to John Wakefield, and the Lucky Dip was won by Matthew Norton. ==================== 7 ENGLAND'S PERFECT STORM The sea has many faces, at times beguiling, at times truly frightening. Joseph Conrad wrote: "If you would know the age of the earth, look upon the sea in a storm". Julian often includes storms in his books, and has himself experienced a number of dramatic tempests at sea. In late November, some 300 years ago, the British Isles was subjected to the most severe storm ever recorded there, the Great Storm of 1703. Thirteen ships of the Royal Navy were lost, with some 1500 seamen drowned. Some vessels were even blown to Sweden, including Sir Clowdesley Shovell's "Association". On the Thames, around 700 ships were heaped together in the Pool of London, downstream from London Bridge. One ship at Whitstable in Kent was lifted from the sea and reputedly dropped some 250 yards inland. Savage seas threw up spray which covered fields with a snow-like encrustation making pastures inedible to grazing animals. One of the most poignant tragedies was the death of Henry Winstanley who built the first lighthouse on the Eddystone Rock, 14 miles south-south-west of Plymouth, a hazard that had claimed the lives of many mariners before the beacon was erected. Winstanley had expressed the desire to be on the lighthouse during "the greatest storm there ever was" - he was on the lighthouse on the night of November 27 supervising repairs; the structure was completely destroyed in the Great Storm and he perished along with five others. =================== 8 QUIZ ANSWERS 1. In KYDD, who is "Mantrap" and who is "Shaney Jack"? A. Tyrell, the hard first lieutenant in "Duke William" is "Mantrap"; Garrett, the sadistic officer of the watch is "Shaney Jack". These nicknames were often used by sailors for officers with these types of personalities. 2. Where did Kydd and Renzi hide in St. Pontrieux? A. In the stinking pigsty owned by Madame Dahouet. They joined Sargeant Piggott, Private Sawkins and Corporal Daryton in the rickety old wooden construction until they could make their escape. 3. In SEAFLOWER what local delicacies do Kydd and Renzi snack on, en route to the planatation? A. They eat bammy bread, akee and salt fish. 4. What type of ship is "Seaflower"? How many of the other ships in which Kydd serves can you name? A. She is a cutter. Kydd also serves in the line of battle ships "Duke William", "Achilles" and "Tenacious"; the frigate "Artemis"; and of course the brig-sloop "Teazer". For a short time he is aboard the American frigate "Constellation" but is not an official part of the ship's company. 5. What is Renzi's nickname that is divulged in Venice? Although he was not named, can you guess who his travelling companion could be during his visit as part of his Grand Tour? A. "Il giromondo" - the traveller. The suggestion is that he was accompanied by the Romantic poet William Wordsworth. 6. In MUTINY, who did the mutineers send with an ultimatum addressed to the Kind himself? A. They chose the captain of "Monmouth", the Earl of Northesk. 7. In which year did two UK hardback editions of the series come out? A. 2003. The two titles were SEAFLOWER and MUTINY. This was to allow a change in the publication month of the hardback to October each year in future. 8. Which naval battle is featured in TENACIOUS? Can you name the other battles in which Kydd has fought? A. The Battle of the Nile, in August 1798. Julian believes that it was not Trafalgar that was Lord Nelson's finest hour, but this naval engagement. Kydd also fought in the Battle of Camperdown. 9. In COMMAND where does Renzi take up a small landholding? A. In His Majesty's Colony of New South Wales - one hundred acres of untouched wilderness outside Parramatta. 10.What gifts did Kydd bring back to his family from Terra Australis? A. For Kydd's father it's a polished walking stick; his mother is given a kangaroo skin muff and Cecilia receives a blue-grey shard of rock from Van Diemen's Land. How did you go? A perfect 10? Reward yourself with a generous tot, then... We'll be back in January next year with some new departments in the newsletter, plus old favourites. And we'd love you to put a comment on Amazon if your particularly enjoy THE ADMIRAL'S DAUGHTER, or indeed any of the books in the Kydd series... Very best wishes for a great Christmas! Yours aye, THE BOSUN ++ Download back issues from the WebSite ++