"How do you know so much about tall wooden sailing ships?" This is a common question that I get from people who have read Destiny's Gambit. The answer comes from my passion for naval history. I tried to make it a focus during my time earning an M.A. in History at Sam Houston State University. In fact, I wrote my final research paper on the role of the fledgling Texas Navy during their revolution with Mexico, where I pointed out that armed action took place on the sea before Gonzales. Therefore, the war actually began at sea.
History is not my only source of knowledge. I have also read the Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O'Brien and the Hornblower novels by C.S. Forester . O'Brian was meticulous in his descriptions of sea life for the British Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. Treasure Island is a great read for the younger crowd. If you must turn to the film versions of the books, try the Hornblower series by A&E and the movie Master & Commander. Sailing buffs will be certain to point out technical inaccuracies within these and my writing, but I hope they will find the spirit of historical accuracy present enough to be sated.
Pictured above is the 44 gun heavy frigate U.S.S. Constitution launched 1797.