H.M.S. Lively

H.M.S. Lively is a British frigate commanded by Captain Hammond; the ship is noted for being fast and a good sailing ship. The crew is widely respected as being very competent though stern. Many of the crewmembers are pressed Chinese and Javanese who are suspected of being pirates. Captain Hammond sits in parliament and during the opening chapters of the novel has been recalled to England on political matters. During his absence the command of the ship has been entrusted to Jack Aubrey. The ship is the principle setting for the first three chapters of the novel.

H.M.S. Surprise

H.M.S. Surprise is a sixth-rate twenty-eight gun British frigate of French build. Originally named Unity, she was captured during combat and placed in English service where she has remained for many years. The ship is unofficially known as Nemesis...