Mr. Midshipman Hornblower by CS Forester
The first (chronologically) of the Hornblower books, although written sixth.
Hornblower reports abord the Justinian as a gangly seventeen year old. What follows is a series of ten short stories, each independent but chronologically ordered with references to earlier stories. In some cases, considerable time passes between the chapters/stories.
In the stories, Hornblower fights a duel and is transferred to the Indefatigable where he spends the rest of the book. His first command ends in relative disaster when he’s put in charge of a prize carrying rice. He doesn’t realize the rice in the leaking ship is soaking up the water until the ship is about ready to explode at the seams from the swelling cargo. He’s captured and spends time in a Spanish prison, attempts rescue of his Spanish captors and wins his release. He later tests for Lieutenant but, on the brink of failure, the test is suspended when the ship comes under attack.
Quite exciting stuff, really. Excellent, excellent book.
