Mark Arbour Posted November 17, 2012 Author Posted November 17, 2012 I would personally rank the Battle of the Nile as more important in the long run than the Battle of Trafalgar. Probably, the only two naval battles in history more important than the Battle of the Nile were the Battle of Tsushima and the Battle of Midway..... I don't know why, because I have never been much of a sailor, but I have always loved naval histories... That's an interesting hypothesis. I think that the Nile was more like the Battle of Midway, in that it was a turning point. Not in terms of British naval superiority, which they'd demonstrated nicely at St. Vincent, but of the flow of the battle. After the Battle of the Nile, the British were able to safely re-enter and dominate the Mediterranean again. I think Trafalgar is the end of that beginning, probably somewhat analogous to the Battles around Leyte Gulf, where the thing was really decided.
centexhairysub Posted November 18, 2012 Posted November 18, 2012 (edited) Well, I think my deal with the Battle of the Nile is like the Battle of Midway; the victories there really were when the tides changed and never really reversed again. With the victory at the Battle of the Nile or Aboukir Bay, depending on your point of view; the British really took control fo the Mediterranean Sea and never were seriously challenged there again. They were able to thwart Napoleon's attempt to seize Egypt and advance onto India. In addition, the British Navy did serious damage to French forces during the siege of Acre in Syria. The bombardment from the sea doomed the siege and was another stinging defeat for the French forces. Malta, which was captured by the French fleet on the way to Egypt, fell to the British and Malta rebels. The defeat of the French fleet directly encouraged the Austrian-Hungarian Empire to reinvade Italy to challege France over the territory it had recently lost to France; in addition, the defeat was also responsible for the emergence of fighting between France and Russia. These actions lead to the formation of the Second Coalition, which declared war on France in 1799. The Ottamon Empire, which had been neutral up to this point, used the defeat as an excuse to go to war with France as well. While the Battle of Trafalgar was very important, in many ways it was only made possible because of the British victory at the Battle of the Nile. Napoleon was eventually forced to leave what was left of the French forces and make his way back to France with just a small cadre of officers. The Battle of the Nile was really the turning point in the war between England and France, while the war lasted on and off for years, France was never able to gain a true upper hand over England again after this defeat. C.S. Forester, noted British historian and author, called the Battle of the Nile; 'the most decisive naval engagement of the age of sail and the most splendid glorious success the British Navy gained.", this from Nelson by C.S. Forester. He also ranked the Battle of Tsushima as the only battle in history to come close to it in importance. As we all know, this author was responsible for the Horatio Hornblower series of books as well. He is one of my favorite authors.... Edited November 18, 2012 by centexhairysub
JimCarter Posted November 19, 2012 Posted November 19, 2012 Hey Mark, are going to get a Granger fix today? I know I'm a PITA, but couldn't help but ask.
Mark Arbour Posted November 19, 2012 Author Posted November 19, 2012 You aren't a pain in the ass, and you are going to get a Granger fix.
centexhairysub Posted November 20, 2012 Posted November 20, 2012 (edited) The newest chapter of Odyssey is up and it is the start of a grand adventure. I can see that Granger and crew will have plenty of trials and tribulation from here till they are back in England. It seems that the scheme to replace Bertie is much more devious then even I imagined. I can't wait to see the look on the British Consul's face when he finds out that Granger is really the one in charge... If there is a ship in the harbour that is sailing for England, Granger can have the counsul arrested and placed on the ship and just stay there until it sails... Once underway, it is doubtful that with Granger's clout and authority from the King that anyone will allow the cousul to escape... Edited November 20, 2012 by centexhairysub 1
Clydee Posted November 20, 2012 Posted November 20, 2012 It makes my head spin, some of these intrigues you come up with, Mark. So, is some of this stuff based on factual events uncovered by the British navy or did you drum up these ideas alone? I sometime wonder if your Granger character is based on some historical figure or maybe a composite of several figures of that time period. If there were a real Viscount Captain George Granger of the British navy I would think he would be right up there with Nelson in the history books. He sure makes an interesting, noble figure. Back to the intrigues, I wonder if Bertie did uncover what was afoot and decided it was even too reprehensible for him... George will prevail, I have no doubt about that at all. There may be some hell to pay in Rio in the next several episodes, but I have a feeling there is alway hell to pay in Rio! Good job Mark. I always look forward to anything you write. 1
Daddydavek Posted November 20, 2012 Posted November 20, 2012 Greed is part of the human condition and it seems some are always more driven by it than others. I expect our hero will come up with a novel solution to the Rio problem and still have to deal with more problems in the Indies. It is after all an Odyssey, an adventure filled with problems to surmount. Good job!
Mark Arbour Posted November 20, 2012 Author Posted November 20, 2012 The newest chapter of Odyssey is up and it is the start of a grand adventure. I can see that Granger and crew will have plenty of trials and tribulation from here till they are back in England. It seems that the scheme to replace Bertie is much more devious then even I imagined. I can't wait to see the look on the British Consul's face when he finds out that Granger is really the one in charge... If there is a ship in the harbour that is sailing for England, Granger can have the counsul arrested and placed on the ship and just stay there until it sails... Once underway, it is doubtful that with Granger's clout and authority from the King that anyone will allow the cousul to escape... Granger would seem to be in that classic conundrum of having the responsibility/authority to do something, but lacking the means with which to do it. It makes my head spin, some of these intrigues you come up with, Mark. So, is some of this stuff based on factual events uncovered by the British navy or did you drum up these ideas alone? I sometime wonder if your Granger character is based on some historical figure or maybe a composite of several figures of that time period. If there were a real Viscount Captain George Granger of the British navy I would think he would be right up there with Nelson in the history books. He sure makes an interesting, noble figure. Back to the intrigues, I wonder if Bertie did uncover what was afoot and decided it was even too reprehensible for him... George will prevail, I have no doubt about that at all. There may be some hell to pay in Rio in the next several episodes, but I have a feeling there is alway hell to pay in Rio! Good job Mark. I always look forward to anything you write. Granger is purely my own creation. I thought that if I were going to create a hero, I'd have to give him charm, looks, and honor/morals, and then toss in the fact that he's mostly gay. Greed is part of the human condition and it seems some are always more driven by it than others. I expect our hero will come up with a novel solution to the Rio problem and still have to deal with more problems in the Indies. It is after all an Odyssey, an adventure filled with problems to surmount. Good job! Surely there are no parallels here to some of our modern, rapacious billionaires. 1
ricky Posted November 22, 2012 Posted November 22, 2012 I think we'll find Grangers dad is mixed up in this. John's company keeps cropping up in there. And who ever set this up, knew that if granger didn't solve it his dad would be exposed by maidstone. Makes me wonder if we;ve seen the last of Willie Wilcoc too.
centexhairysub Posted November 22, 2012 Posted November 22, 2012 I get the feeling that while the Earl is invested with John Company, it is not one of his major positions. He is heavily invested in land and other industries as well. I do think he dabbles in the John Company business but I don't think he would ever do anything to blackguard. The Earl maybe blinded by ambition from time to time but he in most ways has very old fashioned morals. I think a previous commentor maybe right, Bertie may have found out what was going to happen and not even he was willing to actually sell items to the enemy in a time of war... I think that Clydee is right about this; I actually hadn't even thought about this from Bertie's point of view yet...
ricky Posted November 22, 2012 Posted November 22, 2012 I agree that the Earl would not do something so black-guard "knowingly".. But you don't have to be in charge of something to be made to look bad from it or to bring question to his loyalties. Remember the Earl is being considered for the king's bed chamber. " A much coveted position " I think was the term used. There is also the possibility that Freddie and or davina is involved. Spite being the motive as well as money of course. But I think the core of it is to discredit the Earl while making a tidy profit in the deal. "Treasonous Trading profits the Earle of Bridgemont" Gotta love the press. Just my thoughts.
JimCarter Posted November 23, 2012 Posted November 23, 2012 I for one think the Royal family are starting to get a little uncomfortable with the way John Company is acting like they don't need the Royal family to agree with who governs one of his Majesty's colonies. If Maidstone is behind this power trip he may try to have Granger hanged when his arrives at his new little kingdom.
Kookie Posted November 24, 2012 Posted November 24, 2012 (edited) I for one think the Royal family are starting to get a little uncomfortable with the way John Company is acting like they don't need the Royal family to agree with who governs one of his Majesty's colonies. If Maidstone is behind this power trip he may try to have Granger hanged when his arrives at his new little kingdom. While I can see that the Royal family has concerns. Based on earlier revelations in the Bridgemount Series, the John Company owns the vessels and probably paid the army that invaded the Dutch East Indies. As such for the John Company to treat the "new" colonies as corporate subsidiaries rather than Royal colonies is understanderable even if miguided. If Maidstone is stupid enough to try to hang Granger he, Maidstone, will not last enough to return to England. Granger undoubtably has paperwork essentially naming him as a Royal Embasarry. Couple with that Bertie and Chartley are assumed to still be there, both high ranking Officers of the Army, and in the case of Chartley a peer of the realm. In addition, Granger will capture the Spanish Frigate and/or Ship of the Line and maybe a Spanish Galleon, crew them with a few officers and the English Whalers (who are traded for the Spanish POW's) arriving with a small fleet of warships under his command. Thus not only Maidstone lack the authority to do anything to George but also lack the means. Edited November 24, 2012 by Kookie
Mark Arbour Posted November 24, 2012 Author Posted November 24, 2012 While I can see that the Royal family has concerns. Based on earlier revelations in the Bridgemount Series, the John Company owns the vessels and probably paid the army that invaded the Dutch East Indies. As such for the John Company to treat the "new" colonies as corporate subsidiaries rather than Royal colonies is understanderable even if miguided. If Maidstone is stupid enough to try to hang Granger he, Maidstone, will not last enough to return to England. Granger undoubtably has paperwork essentially naming him as a Royal Embasarry. Couple with that Bertie and Chartley are assumed to still be there, both high ranking Officers of the Army, and in the case of Chartley a peer of the realm. In addition, Granger will capture the Spanish Frigate and/or Ship of the Line and maybe a Spanish Galleon, crew them with a few officers and the English Whalers (who are traded for the Spanish POW's) arriving with a small fleet of warships under his command. Thus not only Maidstone lack the authority to do anything to George but also lack the means. There is no way Maidstone, unless he were completely insane, would dream of hanging Granger. He's a peer, a scion of a very powerful family, and a known favorite of influential people like the King and the Prince of Wales. That doesn't mean he can't cause him problems, or perhaps even arrest him, but he certainly can't execute him.
centexhairysub Posted November 25, 2012 Posted November 25, 2012 As long as Granger has the proper papers from the King and the Privy Council, Maidstone can't touch him. On the other hand, with those papers, Granger can do just about any damn thing he wants to Maidstone, Johns Company be damned... The East Indian Act of 1773 and the Pitt's India Act of 1784 clearly established the authority of the Crown over the East India Company. While the company was able to maintain a great deal of leeway in it's actions, these acts clearly made the company answerable to the Crown and the Government... 1
Mark Arbour Posted November 26, 2012 Author Posted November 26, 2012 As long as Granger has the proper papers from the King and the Privy Council, Maidstone can't touch him. On the other hand, with those papers, Granger can do just about any damn thing he wants to Maidstone, Johns Company be damned... The East Indian Act of 1773 and the Pitt's India Act of 1784 clearly established the authority of the Crown over the East India Company. While the company was able to maintain a great deal of leeway in it's actions, these acts clearly made the company answerable to the Crown and the Government... But of course, when one is halfway around the world, that authority can be less, uh, intimidating. Granger mused about that himself, that he wasn't all that convinced that an order from the government would be enough to compel Bertie to return. I can just hear it now. "But for my health, Your Majesty, I would have returned at once. I fear to have embarked on a ship would have meant my certain demise." 1
centexhairysub Posted November 26, 2012 Posted November 26, 2012 But of course, when one is halfway around the world, that authority can be less, uh, intimidating. Granger mused about that himself, that he wasn't all that convinced that an order from the government would be enough to compel Bertie to return. I can just hear it now. "But for my health, Your Majesty, I would have returned at once. I fear to have embarked on a ship would have meant my certain demise." Well, by the time that Granger gets through with everything, Bertie may just be staying put if he so desires. I certainly do hope that Lord Chartley returns with Granger and I am sure Mark can write a moving chapter where Calvert gets a fever and dies in George's arms and Chartley consoles him all the way back to England...
centexhairysub Posted November 26, 2012 Posted November 26, 2012 Well the new chapter is up and it seems that the intrigue is just all around Granger. It is obvious that Granger's new friend is well aware of the plan and really doesn't want Granger to do anything to disrupt it, at least not yet... I just don't think that Granger will be able to leave without making some move. I still like the idea of him ordering the British Consul back to London to explain himself... Granger would have the authority to place him on a British ship and order it to sail... Mark, I think that you need to have about three chapters of Odyssey for each chapter of Paternity... I am sure this won't make me popular with all but well, off with their heads....
Mark Arbour Posted November 27, 2012 Author Posted November 27, 2012 Mark, I think that you need to have about three chapters of Odyssey for each chapter of Paternity... I am sure this won't make me popular with all but well, off with their heads.... Actually, the time and effort it takes to do the chapters are the inverse of that. It takes me about three times as long to do an Odyssey chapter as a Paternity chapter. 1
centexhairysub Posted November 27, 2012 Posted November 27, 2012 Actually, the time and effort it takes to do the chapters are the inverse of that. It takes me about three times as long to do an Odyssey chapter as a Paternity chapter. I know that and really appreciate what goes into each chapter but they are just so damn good that I can't wait for the next one... 1
sat8997 Posted November 27, 2012 Posted November 27, 2012 Well, by the time that Granger gets through with everything, Bertie may just be staying put if he so desires. I certainly do hope that Lord Chartley returns with Granger and I am sure Mark can write a moving chapter where Calvert gets a fever and dies in George's arms and Chartley consoles him all the way back to England... While I'm sure Mark could do a wonderfully moving death scene, I would rather keep Calvert alive, thank you very much. I already had to give up Robbie dying in that French prison, so I'll use all of my darkside powers to protect Calvert. Have a nice day. 3
Daddydavek Posted November 27, 2012 Posted November 27, 2012 I liked the latest chapter which described the political problem Granger is facing and the problem with conclusive evidence as so adroitly pointed out by de Colma who did not deny the problem existed. His point of view was to leave things as they currently exist and that the problem needs to be worked on at the ends rather than in the middle which while expected, is unsatisfying from George's perspective. While he may not be able to quash the problem in Rio, it would be nice, as I said in the review, if Granger were able to enable the pompous asses to publicly fall on them.
ricky Posted November 27, 2012 Posted November 27, 2012 I agree with centexhairysub. Calvert always makes me feel like he is another Mr Robbie. Older, better looking but still too needy and possessive. He needs to take a sniper bullet or cannon ball. I didn't see much meat in this one, nothing that we didn't already know or suspect. He just confirmed things. This was a holiday fluff chapter I think. Perhaps we'll see some action soon. I suspect they'll get the bums rush out of port and they'll pretend to leave and then lay in wait It was a well written chapter nonetheless, even if it contributed little or nothing to the storyline. Except, perhaps, how did he know Granger was fond of baths?
centexhairysub Posted November 27, 2012 Posted November 27, 2012 I agree with centexhairysub. Calvert always makes me feel like he is another Mr Robbie. Older, better looking but still too needy and possessive. He needs to take a sniper bullet or cannon ball. It was a well written chapter nonetheless, even if it contributed little or nothing to the storyline. Except, perhaps, how did he know Granger was fond of baths? I don't know, I would have thought Calvert was younger than Robbie... I have just never been able to warm up to Calvert, he is one of the few creations of Mark's from either CAP or Bridgemont that I find completely boring and annoying... I thought about what he said about Granger liking to take baths; but I thought since he bascially had spent the whole night aboard the ship the night before, that someone made mention of it... Maybe I was wrong and there is another spy aboard..... While I'm sure Mark could do a wonderfully moving death scene, I would rather keep Calvert alive, thank you very much. I already had to give up Robbie dying in that French prison, so I'll use all of my darkside powers to protect Calvert. Have a nice day. I owe you a like, ran out of them today... Well, I certainly respect someone trying to save a favorite person in the series but that being said; I hope my powers of light and goodness can overcome the dark in this instance... I have just never found any creation in either of Mark's signature series CAP or Bridgemont that I found to be so boring and yet so annoying at the same time... I would never again bitch about Jeff's death in 1968, which has always been my biggest gripe, if we could just do away with Calvert... He is just too boring to end up with Granger and his death would give so much happiness to so many....
sat8997 Posted November 27, 2012 Posted November 27, 2012 I owe you a like, ran out of them today... Well, I certainly respect someone trying to save a favorite person in the series but that being said; I hope my powers of light and goodness can overcome the dark in this instance... I have just never found any creation in either of Mark's signature series CAP or Bridgemont that I found to be so boring and yet so annoying at the same time... I would never again bitch about Jeff's death in 1968, which has always been my biggest gripe, if we could just do away with Calvert... He is just too boring to end up with Granger and his death would give so much happiness to so many.... And it didn't bother me one bit when Jeff bit the dust. He might have been what JP, at the time, wanted, but he would have never been what JP needed (that, obviously is Stefan). It's the same thing with Granger and Calvert. Calvert is content to always support Granger from the background, which in my opinion, is exactly what Granger will need for the long-term. 2
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