Chapters 1 and 2 Summary

One hundred and fifty-seven British seamen are marooned on an unnamed island in the South China Sea. They are the survivors of the wreck of HMS Diane upon a submerged reef about a mile offshore. The men include Jack Aubrey, captain; Stephen Maturin, surgeon; Nathaniel Martin, surgeon's mate; and Mr. Welby, Captain of Marines. Diane's wreck was a drawn-out affair allowing for the salvage of many tools, some weapons, and various supplies. The castaway's camp is well-organized after a plan devised by the canny Welby. Although Aubrey considers Welby's defensive breastwork and tactical improvements to be more than necessary, he admires Welby's efficiency and devotion. Aubrey's chief concern has been the salvage of usable timber, nails, sailcloth, and line. With these salvaged materials, his skilled carpenter and other seamen have begun to build a schooner. They anticipate the schooner will be...