Under the Meteor Flag: Log of a Midshipman during the French Revolutionary War

A newly‑appointed midshipman narrates his first weeks aboard the modest 16‑gun brig Scourge, a hastily fitted vessel thrust into the Channel’s churn just as Britain declares war on revolutionary France. The ship is short‑handed, its crew a mix of seasoned sailors and raw “green” hands, and the young officer—still reeling from the practical jokes of his fellow midshipmen—finds himself thrust into a world of cramped decks, single‑reefed topsails, and the looming threat of enemy ships.

Raised in a modest rector’s family, he chose the sea over a quiet legal career, spurred by a determined uncle and a longing for adventure. Listeners will hear his candid reflections on family expectations, the gritty realities of naval life, and the fierce optimism of a youth eager to prove himself. The opening promises a vivid, personal chronicle of early wartime service, brimming with period detail and the restless energy of a young officer stepping into history.