Hornblower and the Even Chance Summary

Horatio Hornblower joins the British Navy as a midshipman at the somewhat advanced age of seventeen during 1793. He serves briefly aboard Justinian in an unhappy assignment and then transfers to Indefatigable where he has several incredible experiences and learns much. In 1796, he makes an audacious and successful attack on a Spanish galley and is made acting-lieutenant. In early 1797 he is captured and spends the next two years in a Spanish prison. He is released following a courageous rescue of Spanish seamen.

Horatio Hornblower, born 1776, a newly enlisted midshipman in the Royal Navy, is seventeen—remarkably old for a new midshipman. He has taken passage on a tiny rowboat crewed by women, and is transported to HMS Justinian, Captain Keene, at anchor in Spithead during 1793. Hornblower is prostrated with seasickness and has to be fairly...