The Fatal Cruise of the Argus: Two Captains in the War of 1812 [Hardcover]

Ira Dye (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1994

Here is history, encompassing events from the first stirrings of the slave revolution in Haiti in 1789, through the wars at sea of the French Revolution and Napoleon and the War of 1812. It is brilliantly presented through the stories of two adventurous young naval officers, William Henry Allen of the U.S. Navy and John Fordyce Maples of the Royal Navy, who participated in many of the era's dramatic events. We are drawn into the heady and profitable prize-taking exploits of the British Navy in the West Indies, where frigate captains became rich. We witness Britain's disastrous invasion of Haiti and the anguish and frustration of the British defeat by Toussaint Louverture and yellow fever. Through Henry Allen's eyes we see the infant U.S. Navy gain strength, confidence, and tradition in the Barbary Wars. With John Maples we fight with Nelson at Copenhagen and Trafalgar and see British sea power put a stop to Napoleon's plans for a French empire in Louisiana and the American West - plans that would have crippled the young United States. But British-American antagonism bursts into violence. Promoted to captain of the U.S. Brig Argus, Allen is ordered on a commerce-destroying foray into Britain's home waters. At first highly successful, the Argus is brought to battle by H.M. Brig Pelican, under the command of John Maples, and the book's two protagonists finally meet in a sea fight. The Argus is defeated, Allen mortally wounded, and his men taken prisoner.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

By its title, this book is to some extent sailing under false colors. Although its climax is the commerce-raiding cruise and eventual capture of the U.S. brig Argus during the War of 1812, its total coverage is vastly greater. It is essentially a biography of two captains--the American William Henry Allen and his British opponent, John Fordyce Maples--and their two ships, crews, and problems both professional and personal. In fact, it is a microcosmic portrait--thoroughly researched and very well written by retired naval officer and active yachtsman Dye--of the golden age of naval warfare under sail. Lovers of Napoleonic naval fiction, from the novels of Captain Marryat up to those of the currently popular Patrick O'Brian, will find a feast in the book, and it makes a worthwhile addition to serious naval history collections, too. Roland Green

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Naval Inst Pr (December 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557501750
• ISBN-13: 978-1557501752
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,518,723 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well written and researched study, August 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Fatal Cruise of the Argus: Two Captains in the War of 1812 (Hardcover)

of the cruise of the Argos during the War of 1812. I believe the author first chanced upon the story when he was an officer during WW II - there was an American Naval officer buried in a churchyard in England, which turned out to be the captain of the Argos. In any event, the book traces the careers of the British and American commanders, and what bought them up to their eventual fates. A good look into the naval history in WW II.