younker
affectionate term for youngster
zephyr
a barely perceptible breeze
Timeline
1773
Thomas Paine Kydd is born 20 June, in Guildford, Surrey, son of Walter and Fanny Kydd.
1789
The Storming of the Bastille, 14 July.
1793-1794
Louis XVI executed, 21 January 1793.
France declares war on England; Kydd, a wig-maker by trade, is press-ganged into the 98-gun ship of the line
Duke William.
KYDD
The Reign of Terror begins, 5 September 1793-28 July 1794.
ARTEMIS
Transferred aboard the crack frigate
Artemis,
Kydd is now a true Jack Tar who comes to love the sea-going life.
1795
The Netherlands is invaded by France, 19 January, and becomes the Batavian Republic.
SEAFLOWER
In the Caribbean, Kydd continues to grow as a prime seaman.
1797
Battle of Cape St Vincent, 14 February. Mutiny at the Nore, 17 April.
Kydd is promoted to acting lieutenant at Battle of Camperdown, 11 October.
MUTINY
1798-1799
Kydd passes exam for lieutenancy; now he must become a gentleman.
QUARTERDECK
From the Halifax station, Kydd and his ship are summoned to join Nelson on an urgent mission.
The Battle of the Nile, 1 August 1798. Britain takes Minorca as a naval base from Spain, 16 November 1798.
Siege of Acre, March-May 1799.
TENACIOUS
1801-1802
Prime Minister Pitt resigns February 1801. Battle of Copenhagen, 2 April 1801. Kydd is made commander of brig-sloop
Teazer
but his jubilation is cut short when peace is declared and he finds himself unemployed.
Peace at Treaty of Amiens, 25 March 1802.
COMMAND
1803
War resumes 18 May, with Britain declaring war on the French.
Unexpectedly, Kydd finds himself back in command of his beloved
Teazer
.
THE ADMIRAL’S DAUGHTER
Kydd is dismissed his ship in the Channel Islands station.
TREACHERY
1804
Napoleon’s invasion plans are to the fore.
May, Pitt becomes Prime Minister again Napoleon is crowned Emperor, 2 December
INVASION
1805
Kydd is made post-captain of
L’Aurore.
The Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805.
VICTORY
1806
The race to empire begins in South Africa. British forces take Cape Town, 12 January.
A bold attack on Buenos Aires is successful, 2 July 1806.
CONQUEST
Effective end of The Fourth Coalition, 14 October 1806.
BETRAYAL
In the Caribbean, the French threat takes a new and menacing form.
CARIBBEE