Chapter 2 Summary

Bush has been at sea for about ten years and as Renown sails he finds the motion and atmosphere enjoyable. His last posting aboard Conqueror had paid off only weeks before and after just a few days with his sisters he has returned to life aboard ship. Bush watches the other officers and determines that 1st Lieutenant Buckland is probably capable, 2nd Lieutenant Roberts is easygoing, and 4th Lieutenant Smith is fairly out of his league. 5th Lieutenant Hornblower appears active and intelligent. The ship has at least one volunteer, Wellard, a non-paid crewman something like a midshipman who is hoping for eventual acceptance into the service. Bush has the watch and sends Wellard below to inform Captain Sawyer of a routine sailing evolution. Soon enough Sawyer is on deck to oversee the activity, a minor affront to Bush's seamanship and judgment. As...