HMS Worcester

HMS Worcester is the first ship commanded by Aubrey during the current novel. Worcester is known as one of the 'forty thieves', ships constructed with an unusual amount of graft and thus widely known to be of substandard materials and shoddy workmanship. A ship-of-the-line, Worcester is appointed to blockade duty for much of the early novel. Worcester is also a very old ship and the fact that Aubrey gets as much out of her as he does is remarkable. The ship is the principle setting for the first several chapters of the novel.

HMS Surprise

HMS Surprise is a sixth-rate twenty-eight gun British frigate of French build. Originally named Unité, she was captured during combat and placed in English service where she has remained for many years. The ship is unofficially known as Nemesis for a particularly audacious raid she made on the Spanish in 1797. Jack...