Talk:Master and Commander

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[edit] Discussion

What is the calendar date when the novel ends?

If we use Thomas Chochrane's capture of El Gamo as a guide, then Master and Commander must end some time after May 6th, 1801...

Jack witnesses the Battle of Algeciras Bay, so it would have to be after 12 July, 1801. Post Captain opens three days after the Treaty of Amiens (25 March 1802, so the novel opens on the 28th), so obviously before then. --Badger151 19:44, 20 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Penniless

My edit summary overran. Its clear that Stephen is penniless for all practical purposes at the start of M&C. He can't afford food or lodging and owes money and has to get an advance on his pay. He may have resources elsewhere but not accessible. Dabbler 30 June 2005 19:30 (UTC)

I'll let it stand for now until I can re-read and figure out at what point he gained enough money to make the purchase he made in RotM. I was under the impression that he had quite a bit even before he inherited from his godfather. --SarekOfVulcan 30 June 2005 19:40 (UTC)
Nope, you were right, I was wrong. I'm currently in The Thirteen-Gun Salute, and he talks about his previous lack of money here.--SarekOfVulcan 19:11, 14 July 2005 (UTC)

I am just commenting about his state in Port Mahon at the beginning of M&C. Clearly by the end of M&C what with prize money and naval surgeon's pay and what have you, he is much more comfortably off. Dabbler 30 June 2005 21:21 (UTC)

[edit] re: Stephen Maturin and Charles Maturin

I do seem to remember reading somewhere that the character in M&C was named for the Irish author; however, I don't have a citation, and I don't have a problem with my edit being removed. --Tachikoma 19:07, 5 September 2006 (UTC)

I have participated in a lot of speculation on O'Brian discussion groups and email lists over the years and it is an obvious supposition, but I have never yet seen a definitive citation from any O'Brian source. Dabbler 19:49, 5 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] How Jack is able to get a larger spar for his mainsail

I'd like to comment on how Jack is able to acquire a larger main yard - through intentionally springing his old one and by trading his 12-lber cannon for the new yard, but "through trickery" doesn't really seem the right way to describe it. Anyone have thoughts? --Badger151 19:06, 20 July 2007 (UTC)


[edit] Link

Can someone fix the link at the right hand side of the page to the main Post Captain article? Ivankinsman (talk) 09:25, 20 March 2008 (UTC)

Done Dabbler (talk) 11:14, 20 March 2008 (UTC)