Under the White Ensign: A Naval Story of the Great War

A newly‑refitted merchant cruiser slices through the storm‑tossed waters of the Bay of Biscay, its once‑gleaming hull now cloaked in dull grey and armed for war. The narrative opens with the ship’s crew battling relentless waves and a moon hidden behind thick clouds, setting a vivid scene of the dangerous patrols that escort the British fleet into the Eastern Mediterranean. The transformation of the vessel from a leisurely liner to a swift, armed unit mirrors the broader shift from peace to conflict that defines the early months of the Great War.

Amid this turmoil we meet Tom Webb, a former Sea‑Scout whose practical seamanship has earned him a commission as an acting sub‑lieutenant. His youthful optimism and steady humor carry him through the harsh middle watch, even as he confronts the stark realities of naval service. The story follows his first assignments, the camaraderie of the crew, and the ever‑present threat of enemy torpedo‑boats, offering a gripping glimpse into the life of a young officer navigating both sea and war.