CambridgePaul

Belated thanks for a great read. I've just re-read it to refresh my memory. The marine issues were fascinating — use of kit that wasn't even imagined when I was young. I have been on a ship struck (and damaged) by lightning, and although nobody was hurt, the navigation systems & chart room were a total loss. Even the magnetic compasses were out of service. Navigation by plastic sextant, Reed's Nautical Almanac and hand held compasses was challenging! What I really appreciate is Trevor's imaginative resourcefulness, never rejecting a solution because it hasn't been tried before. I also appreciate the depictions of loyalty between the four friends ~ all for one and one for all. Finally there is the other major character - Atlantis herself. I remember the early days of cruising catamarans in the 1970s and did not think very much of them, sailing as I did, my great grandfather's gaff ketch built in 1902! Atlantis and her kind are very different — high performance and, with modern materials, far stronger and more powerful. Paul

A great chapter, a much later quote "If you're caught by the Birkenhead Drill, go down with your ship standing to attention, comes to mind. We tend to forget that in the 18th C personal honour (honor?) meant far more than legalities. The "rules of war" then prevalent had been hammered out over half a millemium of Christian warfare. I already encountered the account of the surrender of the Leander when I was on board the sixth Leander in the RN when I was on board her for a week as a 15 year old schoolboy when the ship was on training exercises based at Weymouth.

Great chapter ~ to come out or not to come out, that is the question. It's also refreshing just to be dealing with Trevor, rather than the mess back home & in various unsavoury spots around the globe. Paul

Like the details ~ often the little boatyard can cut a much better deal than the big boys, more flexible. I wonder how Trevor is going to overcome the age issue. I had a lot of problems owning a yacht at 17 ~ including insurance. In the end I had to go down the corporate route, being the director and beneficial owner of an unlimited company which owned the 64 shares of the yacht, whih was then a British registered vessel. Then I had problems with getting an Admiralty Warrant to fly the White Ensign and the Blue Ensign defaced (blame a great aunt who was a keen member of the RYS who signed me up at birth, and my father who was treasurer of another prestgious yacht club. There's something about going into these places in cut offs and a T when you are a member for a shower etc. and then come out of the facilities in full black tie for dinner. I wonder if Trevor is going to keep things quiet, or if the evil machinations will affect him. Many thanks for a great chapter.