Chapters 2 and 3 Summary

Hornblower examines his tiny cabin aboard Princess. Although very cramped, it is at least private. The water-hoy, built to carry a tremendous load, rides very high in the water once emptied of its cargo. The many empty barrels in the hold cannot be filled with seawater as ballast because that would contaminate them for future use. Thus, Princess bobs like a cork, and the crank vessel yaws, rolls, and pitches in a very disagreeable way. Within minutes, Hornblower is seasick. He ponders his personal future. He has been promised a promotion to post captain but wonders if the promotion will actually be given. There are many, many captains waiting for a command. Even if promoted, as the most-junior captain he may simply sit ashore and watch the war pass him by.

Hornblower returns to deck just as a large English fleet...