Pirates & Privateers: Denis Orde's Books

The subtitle of this book implies that this is a biography of one man, Cuthbert Collingwood, but it’s actually about two men who become close friends when they serve as midshipmen in His Majesty’s Royal Navy. Their stories are intertwined from before the American Revolution until their famous battle off Trafalgar thirty years later.

The book begins when Collingwood and Horatio Nelson are already serving in 1773. Although Nelson is just a teenager, Collingwood is ten years his senior and still a midshipman. Perhaps recognizing in each other a truly dedicated officer and a shared hatred of the French, they become close while spending their liberties ashore. They maintain this relationship while corresponding from their respective ships and stations over the years.

Collingwood becomes a lieutenant after leading a naval brigade on shore during the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775. After fourteen years as a midshipman, he is named fourth lieutenant on Somerset. Nelson is examined by officers at the Admiralty and passed for lieutenant in April 1777.

Later in 1777, they are both assigned to the Jamaica Station under Rear-Admiral Sir Peter Parker. It isn’t long before Parker sees that these two officers are a cut above the rest and takes a strong interest in their careers. Nelson is transferred to be third lieutenant aboard Parker’s flagship Bristol. In three months, when Parker promotes Nelson to first lieutenant, Collingwood is transferred to the flagship and becomes the new third lieutenant. Next, Nelson is made commander of the 12-gun Badger and Collingwood is Bristol’s first lieutenant.

Before reading this book, I was accustomed to reading that Collingwood served in the shadow of Nelson. I always took that to mean that no matter how hard he fought, he never received the notoriety and acclaim that Nelson did. And ranked second-in-command at Trafalgar meant he led his own line of ships and was the first one to come under fire and break the enemy’s line. Regardless, it was considered Nelson’s great victory and Collingwood who received honorable mention.

I was surprised to read how Parker gave Nelson several promotions and appointed Collingwood to replace him every step of the way. When Parker made Nelson a post-captain in command of the 28-gun frigate HMS Hinchinbroke, he also made Collingwood the Badger’s commander. And when Nelson was moved to command HMS Janus (44), Collingwood became post-captain of HMS Hinchinbroke. After languishing for all those years as a midshipman, he was thrilled to follow Nelson’s rapid ladder of advancement.

The two captains serve together again in the West Indies in 1784. After this assignment, there is a period of peace and the two friends return home until the French Revolution begins. Both men are then kept employed until their deaths many years later. During the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, under Admiral Sir John Jervis, Nelson becomes a household name by pulling out of the line of battle and cutting off the enemy’s retreat. Collingwood comes to his rescue when the French have him outnumbered, leaving Nelson free to lead his crew in boarding and capturing two ships of the line.

The world continues waging war almost non-stop well into the 19th century, and the two warriors continue to serve. Both men are made vice-admirals in April 1804. Six months later, Nelson commands the fleet and Collingwood is his second-in-command as they lead their respective lines toward the enemy at Trafalgar. After Nelson dies, Collingwood is kept in charge of the Mediterranean Fleet without any relief until he passes away in April 1809.

Pages of black-&-white pictures are found in the book’s center, including portraits they draw of each other while in Jamaica. A section of notes and an extensive bibliography precede the index.

You’ll read about Collingwood’s and Nelson’s battles and learn their candid thoughts through excerpts from their many letters. Orde knows both men are involved in controversies and you’ll read of these as well; Collingwood feels slighted after his ship fights hard at the Glorious First of June and Nelson expresses his views on his superiors’ shortcomings.

This is an excellent view behind the scenes of two men and a navy at war. If you’re interested in the Napoleonic Wars or the Royal Navy in the Age of Sail, this is a great book for you. It provides a different perspective on naval life and fresh insights into the battles fought. You also get to know these two great men and the contributions each made to a grateful nation.