An admiral, who lost a battle in 1702 because some of his captains refused to follow his orders, has his book at last. The action, between a French squadron of three warships and four transports, and a British fleet of seven warships, led to the escape of the French. After the battle, the captains of five of the British ships were court-martialed and two were eventually shot for cowardice. They had led a group of five ships that hung back out of cannon shot, while Benbow's personal ship and one other, bore the brunt of the fight.
Brahms and Sherrin have collected the songs that grew out of the fight and the trial, and woven the narrative around them. ( )