Reefs and Shoals

Bermuda to fulfill the last part of his orders, to survey and chart the reefs and anchorages. He, Lt. Bury, and Lt. Westcott might even have time to sketch out the groundwork for that naval dockyard and fort on North Ireland Island on Grassy Bay and the Great Sound, which was finally begun in 1809. Whilst engaged in that endeavour, might Lewrie take up fish-watching with Lt. Bury, “with a bucket on his head”?

Or, will Dame Fortune decide to serve Lewrie a barricoe of bad turns? He can’t be too sure that the threat of privateers along the coasts of Georgia and Spanish Florida is well and truly ended, or that Mr. Treadwell’s death, and the ruin of his company, will convince other Americans who would connive with his King’s enemies in violation of U.S. neutrality to think twice before filling that void.

Since I have a say in such things, after all, rest assured that fresh orders will come, summoning Lewrie to new seas, and new mis-adventures. There is one snag, though: So long as Bisquit is the ship’s dog, will Lewrie ever get to play his penny-whistle again?

I will give you one wee hint. Lewrie will find himself and his frigate South of the Equator the next time round, dragged into a bit of glory, followed by a monumental cock-up.

’Til then, I wish ya’ll fair winds and calm seas.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DEWEY LAMBDIN is the author of seventeen previous Alan Lewrie novels. A member of the U.S. Naval Institute and a Friend of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England, he spends his free time working and sailing. He makes his home in Nashville, Tennessee, but would much prefer Margaritaville or Murrells Inlet.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.