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The Mauritius Command is the fourth naval historical novel in the Aubrey-Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian, first published in 1977.

Key Information

Aubrey is married and the father of twin girls, owner of a cottage with a fine observatory he built. He is more than ready to be back at sea. He and Stephen Maturin join a convoy charged with taking two strategic islands in the Indian Ocean from the French. The mission provides scope for each man to advance in his specialty.

A review written at first publication found the novel to be written in "language deep with detail and the poetry of fact", appreciating the period detail. A later review, written at the reissue, finds the author a graceful writer but sees a difficulty with the novel's structure, building to climaxes that do not occur. Others writing at that time saw the novel more as part of the longer series, with humour, erudition and "impeccable period detail".[1][2][3]

Plot summary

[edit]

Four years after the events of HMS Surprise, Jack Aubrey and Sophia Williams are married and the parents of twin girls. They live at Ashgrove Cottage on his half-pay, which is not enough to support fellow navy men in the household. Sophia's mother has lost her money, including Sophia's portion, and now lives with them, along with Sophia's niece Cecelia.

When Stephen Maturin comes to call, Jack admits to him that as much as he loves his family he is eager to return to sea again. Stephen mentions that he has recommended Jack to lead a new secret commission being planned by the Admiralty. Moments later, a courier delivers Aubrey's orders from the port Admiral. Jack is given command of the 38-gun frigate HMS Boadicea and requested to depart immediately for Plymouth, where he picks up Mr R T Farquhar, a diplomat, and receives further orders to sail to the British station at Cape Town, where the ships of a convoy destined for the Indian Ocean will meet. Not long after embarking, they meet the French ship Hébé escorting a captured merchant ship. The Boadicea captures both ships, and Jack sends the prizes to Gibraltar. The timely capture gives Boadicea the opportunity to send letters home, and the ship gains a French cook and the Hébé's English prisoners, all able seamen. The long journey south through the Atlantic gives Jack time to bring the crew of the Boadicea up to his standards of efficiency in gunnery and gives Maturin and Farquhar time to develop their political strategies.

At Cape Town, Aubrey meets Admiral Bertie, who confirms Aubrey's elevation to Commodore and authorises him to hoist his broad pendant ('broad pennant' in some editions) as commander of a small fleet with formal orders to disrupt French interests in the Indian Ocean and ultimately to capture the French-held islands of Mauritius and La Réunion. British stations in the region are short of ships and men, leaving the expedition poorly matched against the local French forces. Jack's subordinate captains include Lord Clonfert of the Otter, an insecure Englishman with an Irish title; Captain Corbett of the Néréide, whose reputation for excessive flogging has left his ship severely undermanned; and Captain Pym of the Sirius. Jack learns that his loyal coxswain Bonden and steward Killick sailed from the West Indies under Corbett, so he trades men with Néréide to bring them aboard Boadicea. Bertie advises Aubrey that none of his captains are on good terms with each other.

For the first 2,000 miles of the voyage to the islands, Jack switches his pendant to the elderly 64-gun ship of the line HMS Raisonnable. The Caroline is taken and renamed HMS Bourbonnaise, and Corbett sails her with despatches to Cape Town and England. The rest of the convoy returns to Cape Town. Jack shifts back to Boadicea and sails again upon hearing that more merchant ships have been taken by the French. The convoy is caught in a major tropical cyclone, whence it sails back to Cape Town for repairs, receiving the first mail in many months; Sophia's letters are water-damaged, and Jack tries to make sense of them.

Aubrey organizes an attack on La Réunion with help from the active and decisive Lieutenant Colonel Harry Keating and his army regulars stationed on Rodrigues. La Réunion capitulates almost without loss after simultaneous landings by army troops and sepoys from the British East India Company on both sides of the island. The occupation is made easier by Stephen's propaganda and political meetings, which help to convince many of the disaffected locals to accept British rule and Farquhar as interim governor.

Mauritius proves more challenging. Stephen is seriously injured in an accident boarding Néréide, now under Lord Clonfert, which is part of the force sent to capture the strategic Île de la Passe off the island's southeast coast. While recuperating, Stephen and the ship's doctor, McAdam, attempt to diagnose Clonfert, whose self-consciousness and perceived rivalry with Commodore Aubrey has greatly affected his behavior. The capture of the fortress on Île de la Passe is successful, and Stephen is put down on Mauritius to continue his work. A small group of transports under the command of Captain Pym puts soldiers on Mauritius to garrison the fortress. The French fleet then appears with three frigates, Bellone, Minerve, and Victor, and two captured Indiamen, Ceylon and Windham. They boldly attack the fort and then sail into the channel leading to Port Southeast; the British ships are caught unprepared but decide to attack. The battle rages for days with heavy casualties, and in the end two British ships, Sirius and Magicienne, run aground in the shallow channel and cannot be heaved off, so are burnt to prevent their capture; Iphigenia and the fort at Île de la Passe are abandoned to be retaken by the French. Néréide is also captured and Clonfert is gravely wounded in the neck and head by a splinter. A messenger vessel, with Maturin aboard, reaches La Réunion to inform Aubrey of the losses and the failed attack on Port Southeast.

Boadicea sails through the night to Île de la Passe only to find it under French control, then chases Manche and Vénus in a vain attempt to separate them. After contacting Tom Pullings, who has moved the guns of Windham aboard Emma, Jack believes his fortunes have changed. Captain Corbett re-joins at Saint Denis in command of HMS Africaine. Chasing the French during the night, Africaine clashes with the Astrée and the captured Iphigenia. The encounter goes badly, and Corbett is mortally wounded during the fight, possibly by his own oppressed men. The French capture the Africaine, but leave it dismasted when the Boadicea bears down on them; Astrée refuses an engagement. Joined by the Otter and Staunch, the flotilla returns to La Réunion where the Commodore hastens to refit Africaine.

Maturin and Bonden return from Mauritius with news that HMS Bombay is nearby, in a running fight with both the French Vénus and Victor. The Boadicea engages the French ships, with Jack making use of eager volunteers from the Africaine to board and capture Bombay and Vénus. During the encounter the French Commodore, Hamelin, is killed. While waiting for repairs, Aubrey and Keating devise a plan to finish the battle with the remaining French frigates. Suddenly the Emma signals the Boadicea that many other British sails are on the horizon, and Jack realizes Admiral Bertie has arrived to supersede his command. Tom Pullings comes aboard with a copy of the Naval Gazette announcing the birth of a son to Sophia; Jack is ecstatic at the news. He then opens Bertie's letter ordering him to join the fleet at Rodrigues, where he will command HMS Illustrious, and the Army led by General Abercrombie. Jack is disappointed that he will no longer have the honor of leading the fleet, but accepts the orders with magnanimity, to Bertie's surprise. The final invasion of Mauritius, based on Aubrey and Keating's original plan, is an overwhelming victory, and the French surrender after being given honourable terms.

Stephen learns from McAdam that Clonfert, at the military hospital in Port Louis, has committed suicide by removing his bandages, unable to face Jack Aubrey. Stephen asks McAdam's advice on how to overcome his own recent disaffection and apathy, and McAdam insists that only romantic relationships seem to consistently remedy such maladies. A ceremonial dinner is given at Government House on Mauritius. Stephen implies in conversation with Mr Peter that Jack's father, General Aubrey, is soon to have significant influence with the Admiralty in London, which rumours are believed by Bertie. The Admiral gives Jack the great honour of returning to England carrying the news of the British victory.

Characters

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See also: Recurring characters in the Aubrey–Maturin series
In England
  • Jack Aubrey: Captain in the Royal Navy. Given command of HMS Boadicea, he is appointed commodore of a fleet intended to capture Mauritius and La Réunion during the story.
  • Stephen Maturin: Ship's surgeon, natural philosopher, intelligence agent, and friend to Jack.
  • Sophia Aubrey: Jack's wife, his true love, and the mother of his children.
  • Charlotte and Fanny: Jack and Sophie's twin infant daughters, perhaps six months old at the beginning of the story.
  • Baby boy Aubrey: Son born to Sophia while Jack is on assignment, news which is reported in the Naval Gazette.
  • Cecelia: Young daughter of Mrs William's middle daughter, and niece of Sophie and Jack, living with them at Ashgrove Cottage.
  • Mrs Williams: Jack Aubrey's mother-in-law, now bankrupt and living with her daughter at Ashgrove Cottage.
  • Bessie: Cook at Ashgrove Cottage until Mrs Williams abruptly dismisses her without a good word, for touching the mushrooms carefully collected as a gift to the Aubreys by Maturin, a man unknown to her.
  • Lady Clonfert: Wife of Captain Lord Clonfert, seeking passage to join him at the Cape.
At the Cape
  • Robert Townsend Farquhar, Esquire: Temporary governor of La Réunion, trained in the law, skilled in politics, no ear for music, good chess player. He is R T Farquhar when picked up at Plymouth, but oddly William Farquhar, Governor-designate, in Admiral Bertie's orders to Aubrey.
  • Mr Lemuel Akers: First lieutenant in HMS Boadicea, detached to sail HMS Hyaena to Gibraltar.
  • Mr Seymour: Second lieutenant in HMS Boadicea, acting first lieutenant after Akers parts company.
  • Mr Trollope: Third lieutenant in HMS Boadicea, acting second after Akers parts company.
  • Mr Johnson: Master's mate in HMS Boadicea, acting lieutenant after Akers parts company, appointment confirmed at Cape Town.
  • Mr Richardson: Midshipman in Boadicea, nicknamed Spotted Dick, skilled in mathematics, partner to Aubrey in navigation. Later he takes the aviso Pearl to Rodrigues island.
  • Mr Buchan: Master in HMS Boadicea who is killed by cannon fire from the French ship Astrée.
  • Mr John Fellowes: Bosun of the Boadicea.
  • Admiral Bertie: Admiral in Simon's Town, the Cape Town station of the Royal Navy, with an eye to financial gain and baronetcy.
  • Mr Peter: Secretary to Aubrey, from Simon's Town. He serves as Admiral Bertie's informant within the squadron, as Maturin quickly realizes. Maturin eventually uses this to his and Aubrey's advantage.
  • William McAdam: Surgeon in HMS Néréide and a specialist in diseases of the mind, knows Clonfert and knew his father as well.
  • Golovnin: Russian fleet lieutenant, captain of sloop Diana caught at Cape Town when Russia briefly allied with France (thus becoming an enemy to England), slipped away without harm.
  • Barret Bonden: Jack Aubrey's coxswain, who joins him at Cape Town.
  • Preserved Killick: Jack Aubrey's steward, who joins him at Cape Town.
At La Réunion and Mauritius
  • Lieutenant Colonel Harry Keating: British army commander of the 56th Regiment of Foot, leader of all army and sepoy units.
  • Colonel Fraser: British army officer leading a brigade in the attack on La Réunion, arrives on the Sirius.
  • Colonel McLeod: British army officer leading a brigade in the attack on La Réunion, arrives on the Boadicea.
  • Colonel Saint-Susanne: French army commander on La Réunion, surrenders the island on terms.
  • Mr Satterly: Master in HMS Néréide.
  • Mr Webber: Second lieutenant in HMS Néréide.
  • Hamelin: French commodore leading the defense of Mauritius and La Réunion, based in the Vénus.
  • Duvallier: French commander in Port South East.
  • General Abercrombie: Commander of the invasion army, takes command over Keating.
Squadron leaders
  • Captain Pym: captain of HMS Sirius.
  • Lord Clonfert: Commander of HMS Otter and then post-captain in HMS Néréide.
  • Mr Tomkinson: Lieutenant in HMS Otter who is made Master and Commander of Otter upon the promotion of Clonfert to Néréide.
  • Captain Corbett: Captain of HMS Néréide and later HMS Africaine.
  • Captain Eliot: Captain in HMS Boadicea while Aubrey sails in HMS Raisonnable.
  • Captain Lambert: Captain of HMS Iphigenia.
  • Captain Lucius Curtis: Captain of HMS Magicienne, joins the convoy after chasing Vénus, which took more merchant ships.
  • Lord Narborough (Garron): Captain of HMS Staunch, arrives during La Réunion action, was remembered as third in the Surprise (in prior novel HMS Surprise), though he was actually third in the Lively, the voyage afterward.
  • Mr Tom Pullings: Lieutenant formerly serving under Aubrey, enters the action as captain of the troop ship Groper, then of Emma. He is now the father of a son, John.
  • Mr Fortescue: Captain of the schooner Wasp and a man fond of birds, spent a long time with the albatross, shares specimens with Maturin after carrying him ashore on La Réunion.

Ships

[edit]
* N.B. were real ships during the period depicted.

Major themes

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The novel gives further scope to Maturin's role as both a secret agent (in which he uses propaganda effectively to support the British campaign) and as a naturalist (in which he is seen collecting relics of the extinct dodo and solitaire), while Aubrey for the first time experiences naval battles as the "looker-on" while others are directly in the fight. Aubrey makes strategic decisions and knows the timing of when to act, but must learn how to manage other captains, not only the crew directly reporting to him. One theme is the contrast between Aubrey's development in his career and acceptance of what comes, to the insecurity of Clonfert, also a skilled seaman, who had been with him in the West Indies when neither had been "given his step" to commander or captain.

Walton comments that "The most interesting thing about this volume is Lord Clonfert, an Irish peer who feels the need to outdo everyone—his surgeon says at one point that if Jack is the dashing frigate captain, Clonfert has to be the dashing frigate captain to the power of ten. He’s ridiculous, he lies, but he is brave and does know the waters. And for once we hear Stephen and Jack discuss him, because he’s not a shipmate so Stephen doesn’t feel like an informer talking about him. He’s a psychological curiosity without any doubt, and O’Brian does him very well. There’s also the flogging Captain Corbett—so among his little fleet there’s one dandy and one tartar, and Jack has to try to manage them diplomatically."[4]

Allusions to history

[edit]

The military actions of the novel are very closely based upon the real-life Mauritius campaign of 1809–1811, carried out by the Royal Navy under Commodore Josias Rowley with the assistance of army forces under Harry Keating. O'Brian notes this in the preface. Réunion (known to the French as Île Bourbon or Île Buonaparte) was taken completely in July 1810, and Mauritius (known as Île de France, earlier called Mauritius by the Dutch) was formally captured on 3 December 1810. Many of the historical figures involved in the campaign are characters in the novel.

O'Brian used literary license in making Aubrey a Commodore while still a relatively junior captain, which puts him equal in rank to the man who actually led the squadron in history, Commodore Rowley. In the novel, Aubrey is appointed directly by the Admiralty thanks to Maturin's persuasion, as Maturin had been at work on the intelligence side of the project. There are other differences from the historical events, one being that the French captain of the Vénus, Jacques Félix Emmanuel Hamelin, was not killed in action and actually survived the encounter, surrendering to the British and going on to honor in France. In contrast, Captain Corbett's reputation and death aboard ship match that of Robert Corbet, who was captain of Néréide and then given the Africaine when he brought the captured Caroline to England. Corbet was killed under controversial circumstances during the action of 13 September 1810, which is depicted accurately in the novel.

Lord Clonfert is fictional, in place of Nesbit Willoughby, who was captain of the actual HMS Néréide; though Willoughby had a spotty career and took many wounds, he survived the battle and lived unmarried. Lord Clonfert takes the same splinter wound to the eye as Willoughby received during the Battle of Grand Port in August 1810. In the historical battle, Samuel Pym of the Sirius was taken prisoner by the French and released only when a later squadron from Cape Town re-took Île de la Passe in December 1810, freeing Pym and others taken prisoner. For the loss of his ship, Pym faced the usual court-martial but was exonerated of blame. In the novel, it is Captain Lord Clonfert who is left a prisoner in the action, seriously wounded, under the care of his own and French physicians until the squadron arrives under Admiral Bertie to accept the island's capitulation, though Clonfert does not live to face a court-martial.

The ending of the novel, with Admiral Bertie sailing in and taking credit, also matches the historical event, as Bertie did in fact lead the victorious squadron in December 1810. Some historians have viewed the defeat at Grand Port as the most serious to the Royal Navy in all of the Napoleonic Wars; the interim defeat and very real loss of ships were overshadowed, however, by the conquest of the islands just a few months later. The French mark this victory on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the only naval action noted there. Though Aubrey expects no baronetcy for his accomplishments in the novel, in history, both Admiral Bertie and Commodore Rowley received a baronetcy in recognition of their success in a popular military campaign.

Historically a commodore indicated on which ship in his squadron he was sailing by showing his broad pendant[5] (some editions have 'broad pennant').

It is mentioned in the novel that Aubrey makes the acquaintance at the Royal Society of Miss Caroline Herschel, famed astronomer and sister to William Herschel, and that she aided him in the technique of polishing the lens for his telescope. She was in her sixties during the time period depicted in the novel. In his development as a scientific sailor, Aubrey had presented a paper on his method for improving navigation by tracking the planets.

The island now called Réunion (French La Réunion) had several names in this era, including Île Bourbon and Île Buonaparte, reflecting the opposing sides in France. Bourbon was the name of the royal family deposed by the French Revolution and a way to refer to the royalists among the French; Napoleon Bonaparte was the emperor of the expanding French Empire. The French ship Caroline was rechristened as HMS Bourbonnaise, both because there was already a ship named Caroline in the Royal Navy, and the island where she was taken had that as one of its names.

The story of the Russian Captain Golovnin aboard the ship Diana, caught at a British port when the national alliances changed while he was sailing, refers to an historical situation which occurred in the same year that the squadron to take the two French islands was assembled.

Allusions to literature

[edit]

The story contains numerous allusions to the ideas and thinking of others. At one point Aubrey is recorded "adding, not without pride, Ex Africa surgit semper aliquid novo, – novi, eh?" ("Always something new coming out of Africa".) This is the popular version of a quotation from Pliny the Elder, "unde etiam vulgare Graeciae dictum semper aliquid novi Africam adferre".[6] Later, Maturin quotes the Earl of Rochester, "Every man would be a coward if he durst" (which he would have seen in Samuel Johnson's Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets).[6] Throughout the novel there are many other allusions and quotes, including some credited to Alexander Pope, Pliny the Elder, Samuel Johnson, Horace, Lewis Carroll, and from King Lear by Shakespeare.[6]

Literary significance and criticism

[edit]

"Taken together, the novels are a brilliant achievement. They display staggering erudition on almost all aspects of early nineteenth century life, with impeccable period detail....[Compared to Forester's characters] Aubrey and Maturin are subtler, richer items; in addition Patrick O'Brian has a gift for the comic which Forester lacks.[3][7]

"Jack's assignment: to capture the Indian Ocean islands of Réunion and Mauritius from the French. That campaign forms the narrative thread of this rollicking sea saga. But its substance is more beguiling still..." —Elizabeth Peer, Newsweek[8][9]

Kirkus Reviews found the language of the novel to be "shot through with unobtrusive culture and period texture that flows like a serenade". The characters are drawn well, with "a crazy inner skip to their hearts", summing up the writing as having "the poetry of fact on blue-water currents under the trades."[10]

Reviews published at the re-issue in 1991 were favorable and detailed. Publishers Weekly found O'Brian to be "a graceful writer, and the book is full of wonderful period details". The novel's "peculiar narrative structure" suggests climaxes that do not happen.[1] Richard Snow wrote in 1991 that he had read the novels from Master and Commander to Desolation Island from American publishers twenty years earlier. He enjoyed the happy ending of Master and Commander and was grateful for more, including "a complex and fascinating successor [which] appeared -- The Mauritius Command."[2] O'Brian's "portrayal of life aboard a sailing ship is vivid and authoritative" and O'Brian presented "the lost arcana of that hard-pressed, cruel, courageous world with an immediacy that makes its workings both comprehensible and fascinating."[2] He noted too that "behind the humor, behind the storms and the broadside duels . . . loomed something larger: the shape and texture of a whole era."[2] As strong as the historical detail was, Snow remarked that "in the end it is the serious exploration of human character that gives the books their greatest power", and he also referred to the poetry of the writing, saying that O'Brian "manages to express, with the grace and economy of poetry, familiar things that somehow never get written down, as when he carefully details the rueful steps by which Stephen Maturin falls out of love."[2] At this time of the re-issues of the novels by W W Norton in the US, Snow recommended that a reader start with the first and keep reading to the last one, then "You will have read what I continue to believe are the best historical novels ever written."[2]

Kevin Myers wrote in The Irish Times that "O'Brian's sheer brilliance as a writer constantly dazzles, and his power over the reader is unique. No writer alive can move one as O'Brian can; no one can make you laugh so loud with hilarity, whiten your knuckles with unbearable tension or choke with emotion. He is the master."[11]

Adaptations

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From 3 April 2011 the BBC broadcast Roger Danes' dramatization of the book, in three one-hour parts, in the Classic Serial strand on BBC Radio 4.[12] Produced and directed by Bruce Young, its cast was:

Publication history

[edit]

This novel was first issued in the UK in 1977 by Collins and in 1978 in the US by Stein & Day. It was among the many re-issued in paperback by W W Norton in 1990–1991, 14 years after its initial publication by Collins (note list above). More reviewers read this book and others in the series, and the series gained a new audience.[1]

The process of reissuing the novels prior to this novel and The Letter of Marque was in full swing in 1991, as the whole series gained a new and wider audience, as Mark Howowitz describes in writing about The Nutmeg of Consolation, the fourteenth novel in the series and initially published in 1991.

Two of my favorite friends are fictitious characters; they live in more than a dozen volumes always near at hand. Their names are Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin, and their creator is a 77-year-old novelist named Patrick O'Brian, whose 14 books about them have been continuously in print in England since the first, "Master and Commander," was published in 1970. O'Brian's British fans include T. J. Binyon, Iris Murdoch, A. S. Byatt, Timothy Mo and the late Mary Renault, but, until recently, this splendid saga of two serving officers in the British Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars was unavailable in this country, apart from the first few installments which went immediately out of print. Last year, however, W. W. Norton decided to reissue the series in its entirety, and so far nine of the 14 have appeared here, including the most recent chapter, The Nutmeg of Consolation.[13]

Bibliography

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

The Mauritius Command

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Mauritius Command is a 1977 historical novel by British author , serving as the fourth installment in his acclaimed of nautical fiction set during the . The book chronicles the exploits of Captain and his close friend, ship's surgeon and intelligence agent , as Aubrey assumes command of a squadron dispatched from the to seize the French-controlled islands of Réunion (Île Bourbon) and (Île de France) in the during 1810. Drawing directly from the real —a series of British amphibious and naval operations aimed at neutralizing French privateers that preyed on shipping from these strategic outposts—the faithfully recreates key historical events, including the capture of and the disastrous British defeat at the Battle of Grand Port. O'Brian's narrative emphasizes Aubrey's challenges in leading a fractious group of subordinate captains, logistical hurdles in distant waters, and the broader geopolitical stakes of British imperial expansion against Napoleonic France, all while interweaving Maturin's scientific pursuits and personal entanglements. Renowned for its authentic depiction of early 19th-century naval life, including detailed accounts of shiphandling, gunnery tactics, and maritime customs, The Mauritius Command highlights O'Brian's mastery of period vernacular and technical accuracy, earning praise for elevating the through profound character development and psychological depth. The explores themes of under pressure, the camaraderie and rivalries within the class, and the human cost of warfare, solidifying the series' reputation as a cornerstone of historical .

Background

Publication History

The Mauritius Command, the fourth novel in Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series, was first published in the in 1977 by Collins, with ISBN 0-00-222383-X for the hardcover edition. The edition followed in 1978, released by Stein & Day with ISBN 0-8128-2476-8. In the early 1990s, reissued the novel as part of a broader effort to republish the Aubrey-Maturin series, with the edition appearing in 1991 under 0-393-30762-X; this helped expand its readership significantly in the US market. The book has since been included in various collected editions of the series, such as Norton's 20-volume set encompassing all completed novels. Initially receiving limited print runs and modest sales in the 1970s and , the and series evolved into cult favorites among enthusiasts, achieving wider popularity following the Norton reissues that transformed O'Brian's audience from a niche group into a substantial following.

Historical Context

The was a series of British amphibious and naval operations during the aimed at seizing the French-held islands of (modern ) and Île Bonaparte (modern ) in the . These islands served as critical bases for French privateers, who used them to prey on British merchant shipping bound for and the , disrupting vital trade routes and capturing numerous vessels, including five rich East Indiamen in 1809 alone. The campaign's strategic objective was to neutralize this threat and secure British dominance in the region, with the functioning as the primary supply and staging base for squadrons operating far from European waters. Geographically, lies approximately 400 miles east of , while is situated nearby to the southwest; both islands' sheltered harbors, such as on and Saint-Denis on , made them ideal for refitting privateers and warships, earning the nickname "the of the East" for its fortified position astride key maritime lanes. Key historical figures shaped the campaign's course. On the British side, Commodore Josias Rowley commanded the squadron tasked with blockading and invading the islands, leading raids and amphibious assaults that paved the way for their conquest; his actions, including the capture of French frigates and support for land forces, formed the backbone of the operation. Opposing him was French Commodore Jacques Félix Emmanuel Hamelin, who directed a squadron of fast frigates from , achieving notable successes such as the capture of British ships and a victory at the Battle of Grand Port in August 1810, though these could not prevent the islands' ultimate fall. The campaign unfolded in phases reflecting Britain's evolving of , , and assaults. In early 1809, British forces from Bombay seized the nearby island of Rodriguez as an advanced base, followed by a raid on , on September 21, where Rowley's squadron destroyed French facilities and captured ships. By July 1810, a reinforced expedition under Rowley and Colonel Henry Keating landed 3,650 troops on , capturing Saint-Denis after minimal resistance and securing the island by July 8 with light British losses of 22 killed and 79 wounded. Initial assaults on faltered, highlighted by the French triumph at Grand Port, but a larger invasion fleet arrived in November 1810; under Major-General John Abercromby, 10,000 troops landed at on November 29, overcoming French defenses and compelling Governor Charles Decaen to surrender on December 3. Mopping-up operations continued into 1811, with Rowley capturing Hamelin's remaining frigates in May, fully ending French naval resistance in the .

Narrative Elements

Plot Summary

Captain , on and residing with his family in rural , receives secret orders through his friend Dr. to command the HMS Boadicea and sail to the , where he will hoist a commodore's pennant over a squadron tasked with capturing the French-controlled islands of and to secure British commerce in the . The voyage from features glimpses of Aubrey's domestic life with his wife and children, alongside Maturin's covert preparations for an intelligence mission. Upon reaching the , Aubrey takes command of the squadron, comprising the 38-gun Boadicea (his ), the 36-gun HMS Sirius under Captain Pym, and the 18-gun HMS Otter under Lord Clonfert. The campaign opens with a successful amphibious assault on , where Aubrey's forces seize the port and fortress at Saint-Denis, overcoming French defenses and establishing a British administration under Governor with local support. Early operations encounter aggressive French privateers preying on shipping, while Aubrey grapples with unreliable subordinate captains, including the martinet-like Captain Corbett of the Néréide and the erratic Lord Clonfert, who takes command of the captured HMS Néréide after initial service on the Otter, introducing rivalry and indiscipline. A fierce devastates the squadron, scattering ships, causing heavy damage, and exacerbating internal tensions as repairs strain resources and morale. Efforts to and assault falter against the elusive tactics of French Commodore ; Clonfert's independent attack on Grand Port results in a disastrous defeat, with the Néréide captured and Clonfert's , further testing Aubrey's command. This culminates in a hard-fought naval action where Aubrey's forces engage and capture the French Minerve, demonstrating intricate maneuvering and gunnery exchanges. The arrival of Albemarle Bertie with a reinforced fleet enables the climactic of , resulting in its surrender and the expulsion of French naval power from the region. returns to bearing dispatches of the victory, along with significant from captured vessels, marking a tactical success amid the squadron's trials.

Characters

Jack , recently promoted to the rank of acting commodore, faces the complexities of squadron command, marked by frustrations with subordinates' varying competencies and loyalties that test his . His centers on his to and his role as a father to twin daughters, Charlotte and Fanny, with the birth of a son during this period deepening his domestic commitments and providing emotional grounding amid professional strains. Aubrey's impatience for and reliance on close confidants underscore his development as a more seasoned, family-oriented in this installment. Stephen Maturin continues as Aubrey's indispensable friend, serving as ship's surgeon, intelligence agent, and natural philosopher who observes the exotic of the islands, such as rare birds and , during lulls in operations. His analytical prowess extends to psychological evaluations of fellow officers, leveraging his medical expertise and covert networks—including Catholic ties to suborn local dissent—to support the campaign. Maturin's unwavering loyalty to Aubrey extends to aiding his family, reinforcing their profound intellectual and emotional bond unique to the stresses of this distant command. Sophie Aubrey, devoted wife, manages their home at Ashgrove Cottage with her mother-in-law and niece, expressing deep anxiety over his prolonged absences while steadfastly supporting his career ambitions. Her influence subtly shapes Aubrey's decisions, such as navigating social obligations involving other officers' families, and the arrival of their symbolizes the strengthening of their union despite separations. Among supporting British figures, captains like Robert Corbett embody harsh, taut discipline that contrasts with Aubrey's more paternal approach, fostering tensions rooted in past doubts about courage and crew management, which highlight dynamics of rivalry and subordination. Aspects of Lord Clonfert are inspired by historical participants in the real 1810 Mauritius campaign. The French antagonists include Captain , a noble and chivalrous commanding the Indian Ocean raiders, whose honorable demeanor makes him a worthy foil to in their adversarial encounters. Lord Clonfert, an eccentric subordinate with prior service under , grapples with deep insecurities and a flair for dramatics, leading to jealousies and conflicts within the British ranks that strain interpersonal relations. Minor characters enrich the interpersonal landscape: 's infant twins represent the joys and vulnerabilities of his fatherhood, occasionally referenced in correspondence that humanizes his command. Maturin's associates, including liaisons like Sir Joseph Blaine, facilitate his clandestine efforts through shared expertise in medicine and . Island governors, both French and local, navigate allegiances influenced by Maturin's subtle interventions, emphasizing themes of and in colonial settings.

British Ships

The British naval forces in The Mauritius Command are commanded by Commodore , with his flagship being the 38-gun HMS Boadicea. Launched in 1798 to the lines of the captured French Impérieuse, the Boadicea was a vessel known for its speed and handling qualities under sail, making it suitable for scouting and independent operations in the . Armed with 28 × 18-pounder long guns on the upper deck, 14 × 32-pounder carronades on the , and 2 × 9-pounder long guns plus 2 × 32-pounder carronades on the , she carried a complement of approximately 320 officers and men. Her square-rigged configuration allowed for effective close-hauled sailing, though she required repairs to her and hull after sustaining damage in a during the campaign. Supporting the flagship was the 18-gun sloop , a versatile vessel for inshore duties and . Built as a Cruizer-class sloop around , the Otter mounted 16 × 32-pounder carronades and 2 long 6-pounder guns, with a crew of about 121, emphasizing maneuverability over firepower in raiding tactics against French privateers. Her lighter build and adaptations enhanced her speed in light winds, proving essential for evading superior French forces during patrols off . The 36-gun frigate HMS Sirius formed the core of Aubrey's squadron, providing heavy support with its established rate of sail and accurate gunnery. Launched in 1797, she was armed with 26 × 18-pounder long guns on the upper deck, 6 × 9-pounder guns and 2 × 32-pounder carronades on the , and 2 × 9-pounder guns on the , complemented by a crew of 274. Like the Boadicea, the Sirius underwent modifications post-cyclone, including mizzenmast replacements to restore her sailing qualities, and she played a pivotal role in protection and . These ships, drawn from real vessels active in the , were adapted by O'Brian for the narrative's demands, blending historical specifications with fictional campaign events such as the of .

French Ships

Opposing the British was the French squadron under Captain Jacques Hamelin, centered on the 40-gun Bellone, a powerful and fast raider based at , . Launched in 1806 at , the Bellone featured a battery of 28 × 18-pounder long guns on the main deck, 8 × 36-pounder carronades and 8 × 8-pounder guns on the and , with a of around 330, optimized for in the Indian Ocean trade routes. Her improved speed to 12-13 knots, and her square rigging excelled in downwind pursuits, though she was less weatherly close-hauled compared to British designs. The 40-gun frigate Minerve, originally the British HMS Minerve captured by the French in 1805 (ex-Portuguese Minerva), served as Hamelin's second-in-command and was later recaptured by Aubrey's forces. Armed similarly to the Bellone with 28 × 18-pounders and 12 × 8-pounders, plus carronades, she had a complement of 320 and was noted for her seaworthiness during extended cruises. Post-capture, she required repairs to battle damage, including reinforced bulwarks, before rejoining British service. French privateers, exemplified by the ship-rigged Ceylon—a captured East Indiaman mounting 20 × 9-pounder guns—employed hit-and-run tactics, relying on a crew of 150 for swift intercepts of British merchant vessels. These vessels reflect the historical French Mauritius squadron of 1809-1810, including the real Bellone under Hamelin, with O'Brian enhancing their raiding prowess for dramatic effect while maintaining period-accurate rigging and armaments.
ShipTypeGunsKey ArmamentCrewRole in Campaign
HMS BoadiceaFrigate3828 × 18-pdrs (upper deck)~320Flagship, blockade
HMS OtterSloop1816 × 32-pdr carronades~121Reconnaissance, raids
HMS SiriusFrigate3626 × 18-pdrs (upper deck)274Convoy escort, support
BelloneFrigate4028 × 18-pdrs (main deck)~330Raiding, command
MinerveFrigate4028 × 18-pdrs (main deck)~320Squadron support, captured
CeylonPrivateer2020 × 9-pdrs~150Commerce destruction
The ships' engagements, such as the action at Grand Port, highlight their tactical roles without altering their core specifications.

Themes and Allusions

Major Themes

One of the central motifs in The Mauritius Command is the contrast in leadership styles, exemplified by Captain Jack Aubrey's steady and strategic command as commodore of the British squadron against the insecurity and rivalry exhibited by his subordinate, Lord Clonfert. Aubrey's approach emphasizes coordination and discipline across a dispersed fleet, navigating challenges such as communication delays over vast distances to achieve tactical successes like the capture of Île de La Réunion. In contrast, Clonfert, a dashing yet impulsive captain driven by a need to outshine Aubrey, engages in reckless actions that stem from personal insecurities and internal fleet rivalries, ultimately contributing to disastrous outcomes for his command. This rivalry underscores the novel's exploration of how personal flaws can undermine collective naval endeavors. Stephen Maturin's dual roles as intelligence operative and natural philosopher further enrich the narrative, intertwining espionage with scientific inquiry amid the campaign. As an intelligence agent, Maturin leverages local contacts and efforts to support Aubrey's objectives, including surgical interventions that bolster squadron morale. Simultaneously, his observations of regional , such as frigatebirds and indigenous on remote islands like Rodriguez, highlight his passion for , providing moments of intellectual respite from the rigors of war. These pursuits not only advance the plot but also symbolize the intersection of human ambition and the natural world. The novel juxtaposes domestic tensions with the demands of naval discipline, drawing parallels between Aubrey's personal life and the squadron's operational challenges. Aubrey's family strains, including his marriage to Sophie Williams and responsibilities toward his young children, mirror the interpersonal frictions within his command structure, where maintaining order requires balancing and . This theme illustrates the broader pull between private stability and professional duty, as Aubrey's home life influences his resolve during extended deployments. Imperialism and privateering emerge as ethically ambiguous forces, with the British conquest of French-held colonies like raising questions about the of territorial expansion. The campaign's reliance on local alliances and resource exploitation reveals the opportunistic nature of imperial strategy, where privateers blur lines between legitimate warfare and predation. Aubrey's in installing a British on the islands underscores the novel's portrayal of empire-building as both a strategic necessity and a source of moral complexity during the Napoleonic conflicts. Finally, the unpredictability of nature manifests through the devastating that disrupts the squadron, serving as an uncontrollable that humbles human plans and exposes vulnerabilities in even the most prepared commands. This cataclysmic event, occurring amid the campaign's climax, amplifies themes of fragility, as it scatters ships and forces to improvise amid chaos beyond strategic control. The cyclone's impact reinforces the narrative's emphasis on nature's indifference to imperial or naval ambitions, paralleling Maturin's scientific reverence for the environment.

Historical Allusions and Accuracy

The Mauritius Command draws heavily from the real-life during the , in which British naval forces under Commodore Josias Rowley sought to neutralize French privateers operating from the islands of (then Île Bonaparte) and (Île de France). In the novel, Captain Jack Aubrey assumes Rowley's role as squadron commander, leading operations that mirror the historical capture of on July 8, 1810, through a coordinated with troops under Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Keating, and the subsequent of to curb French commerce raiding. These depictions of squadron tactics, including the use of frigates like HMS Boadicea (analogous to the real HMS Boadicea under Rowley) for and cutting out expeditions, reflect accurate naval strategies employed to isolate the islands and disrupt enemy shipping. O'Brian's portrayal of the Battle of Grand Port, where British ships under Samuel Pym suffer a disastrous defeat against French forces led by Captain Jacques-Félix Emmanuel , closely follows the actual engagement of August 1810, capturing the tactical errors such as the grounding of HMS Magicienne and the ensuing French victory. Despite this fidelity, O'Brian takes several fictional liberties to fit the narrative into the Aubrey-Maturin series. Aubrey's earlier promotion to and his established family life with wife and children diverge significantly from Rowley's ; the historical Rowley, born in 1765, never married and had no family during the 1810 campaign, and his rise to commodore occurred after decades of service beginning in 1778. Similarly, the novel alters the fate of , who is aboard the frigate during its capture by Aubrey's squadron, whereas historically Hamelin survived his ship's surrender on December 3, 1810, was taken prisoner, and later exchanged to continue a distinguished career in the , rising to rear-admiral. These changes prioritize character development and dramatic tension over strict biographical alignment, allowing Aubrey to embody Rowley's strategic acumen while advancing the series' ongoing personal arcs. The novel also employs anachronisms and temporal compressions for pacing, condensing the full campaign's span from mid-1809 to December 1811 into a more streamlined timeline centered on events, which heightens the sense of urgency in Aubrey's command. It omits the later arrival of substantial British reinforcements under Vice-Admiral Albemarle Bertie, who orchestrated the final invasion and surrender of on December 3, , after Rowley's blockades had weakened French defenses—details that would have shifted focus from Aubrey's independent operations. Cultural details, such as the social dynamics in the (the British staging post) and the fortifications of Réunion and , are grounded in period accounts of colonial society, including the multicultural influences of Dutch, French, and British settlers, as well as the strategic layout of harbors like Grand Port. O'Brian's historical integration relies on primary naval records, including Admiralty dispatches and logs from the campaign, as well as secondary histories like William James's The Naval History of Great Britain (first published 1822–1824), which provides detailed analyses of the engagements and tactics. These sources enable the novel's precise rendering of ship-handling, gunnery, and logistical challenges, though O'Brian selectively adapts them to emphasize Aubrey's leadership without altering core outcomes.

Literary Allusions

In The Mauritius Command, weaves literary allusions into the narrative to deepen character development and thematic resonance, particularly highlighting the educated milieu of the Royal Navy officers and the naturalist Dr. . Classical allusions draw heavily from ancient sources on , aligning with Maturin's scholarly pursuits. A notable example occurs when Captain quotes Pliny the Elder's Naturalis Historia, adapting the phrase "Ex Africa semper aliquid novi" (", always something new") to express wonder at emerging opportunities during the campaign. This reference not only evokes the era's fascination with exotic discoveries but also underscores Aubrey's growing awareness of the unpredictable novelties in his command. References to 17th- and 18th-century English literature appear in the officers' banter and descriptive passages, lending wit and cultural texture to naval life. Rochester's satirical surfaces in discussions of , as when an allusion to his line—"every man would be a coward if he durst"—is used to probe the contrasts between 's steadfast courage and the insecurities of subordinates like Lord Clonfert. Dryden's verse similarly infuses naval scenes with poetic grandeur; during a reflective moment aboard ship, Aubrey and Maturin invoke the grand chorus from Dryden's "A Song for St. Cecilia's Day": "And shall untune the ," evoking apocalyptic harmony amid the chaos of sea warfare. Maritime literary influences manifest through echoes of Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe in the novel's island survival episodes. Scenes of characters navigating treacherous tropical shores and makeshift fortifications around Mauritius parallel Crusoe's solitary ingenuity and endurance, amplifying themes of isolation and human resilience in remote colonial outposts. Subtle integrations of contemporary scientific texts further illuminate Maturin's intellectual world. Allusions to Carl Linnaeus's binomial nomenclature appear in natural history dialogues, such as Maturin's fond reference to the wandering albatross as the "Diomedea exulans of Linnaeus, the bird he loved best of all," during observations of seabirds in the Indian Ocean. Collectively, these allusions portray the characters as products of a literate, , enhancing the novel's intellectual depth and immersing readers in the Regency-era's cultural fabric while reinforcing motifs of discovery and fortitude.

Reception and Legacy

Literary Significance and Criticism

Upon its publication in , The Mauritius Command received acclaim for its nautical authenticity and vivid portrayal of naval life during the , with reviewers praising O'Brian's ability to infuse the narrative with "language deep with detail and the of fact," creating an immersive of blue-water currents and shipboard . The novel's blend of high-seas action and interpersonal drama was highlighted, particularly Aubrey's command of a fractious squadron and his cultured with Maturin, which provided emotional depth amid the adventure. Critics noted the book's strengths in character delineation, depicting Aubrey's frustrations with neurotic subordinates and the contrasting expertise between the protagonists as endearing and psychologically astute. In the broader Aubrey-Maturin series, The Mauritius Command advances the central dynamics between and Maturin, building on prior volumes like H.M.S. Surprise by elevating Aubrey to commodore and introducing exotic settings that expand the scope of their partnership. Scholarly analyses commend O'Brian's erudition, drawing from naval records to achieve "impeccable period detail" and a realistic fusion of action with human frailty, positioning the novel as a pivotal entry that deepens the protagonists' friendship—one of the most realized in 20th-century literature. O'Brian's mastery of emotional and historical nuance is evident in the portrayal of complex figures like the tragic Lord Clonfert. While praised for its scale, the has faced for pacing challenges in domestic interludes and an assumption of reader familiarity with series continuity, potentially alienating newcomers, as observed in later assessments of O'Brian's reliance on ongoing character arcs. Post-2000 reception has solidified its legacy, with the series, including The Mauritius Command, hailed as the pinnacle of naval fiction for transcending genre conventions through comparable to Tolstoy and Austen, though modern scholarly engagement remains limited in feminist or postcolonial perspectives.

Adaptations

The primary adaptation of The Mauritius Command is a three-part radio dramatization broadcast by as part of its Classic Serial strand, airing on Sundays starting April 3, 2011. Adapted by Roger Danes from Patrick O'Brian's novel, the series was directed and produced by Bruce Young and featured as Captain and as Dr. , with supporting roles including as Governor Farquhar and Sam Dale as Lord Clonfert. Each episode ran approximately one hour, capturing the novel's naval intrigue in the during 1809. Audiobook editions of the have been produced in both abridged and unabridged formats by several publishers. The earliest notable version is an abridged recording narrated by for Publishers, released around 2005 with a runtime of about 2 hours and 56 minutes. Another abridged edition, narrated by , was issued by Audio in 2000, lasting 5 hours and 7 minutes and emphasizing the story's character dynamics through expressive vocal performances. For a fuller experience, the unabridged version narrated by Patrick Tull for Recorded Books runs 13 hours and 56 minutes, released in the early 2000s and praised for its detailed portrayal of maritime . Abridged audiobook versions have been critiqued by some reviewers for omitting subtler character developments. No or television adaptations have been produced specifically from The Mauritius Command, though the broader Aubrey-Maturin series inspired the 2003 Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, which drew elements from multiple novels but not this one directly. Discussions in media outlets have highlighted untapped potential for a television series of the full series, with unproduced plans surfacing periodically, such as concepts announced in 2024 by . As of October 2024, president Steve Asbell confirmed the has a "great script" and is seeking a director, though it remains unproduced and not specific to this novel. Listener reception of the dramatization has been generally positive, with fans on forums noting its faithful reproduction of O'Brian's dialogue and effective for sea battles and ship maneuvers, enhancing the immersive quality of the audio format. As of November 2025, no adaptations post-2020 have emerged for The Mauritius Command, underscoring its relative underrepresentation in modern media compared to earlier in the series and pointing to ongoing opportunities for visual or expanded audio interpretations.

References

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