Chapter 11 and 12 Summary

After a few short hours of sleep, Hornblower wakes up and begins the difficult task of writing his after-action report. He knows that the letter will be published in the Gazette and that Maria will therefore read it. He needs to characterize his own participation as vital but safe and he agonizes over how to proceed. In the end, he decides to mollify Maria's fears and writes a letter, which states his participation but credits his subordinates with all decisive action and all exposure to danger. After writing for a long time, Hornblower concludes with what he internally calls the 'butcher's bill'—the list of the dead and wounded. After completing the report he reads it over and ponders for some time, and then finally adds Grimes' name to the 'butcher's bill'.

News then comes that Pellew is being replaced...