Standards Left Ragged

C.D. White
Broadsides Press (2006)
ISBN 0972630384
Reviewed by Joe Graham for Reader Views (4/06)

C.D. White works to create the world of the struggle between the British navy and American rebel privateers in April of 1776 before the announcement of the Declaration of Independence in July. He shows the nautical world of 1776 on the English ship, the “Roebuck” under the command of Captain Andrew Hammond and the Yankee privateer “Javelin” under the command of Captain Phillip Fairaday.

White does a good job of setting up the situation of the central conflict between the British and Yankees, the specific conflict between the brother-in-laws, Fairaday and Marlborough and the conflicts on the ships between various shipmates like Fairaday and Kempner who is trying to undermine Fairaday’s authority and take over command.

The conflict between Fairaday and Hammond is intensified by the fact that Fairaday’s brother-in-law is the second in command on the “Roebuck,” Second Lieutenant Marlborough. The conflict in families with different family members was not uncommon during the war. White also brings in the conflicts between the sailors and their respective governments. Capt. Hammond and Lt. Marlborough have to convince Lord Dunmore, the Royal Governor of Virginia of the need for a smaller ship that go into shallower waters after the Yankee privateers. Capt. Fairaday’s younger brother, Elias has to go to Pat Henry to ask for more supplies for his brother’s brother. The author was very successful with the various conflicts to draw the reader into the story

One quote from the book shows the motivation of the men on both sides of the struggle. Captain Hammond says, “Aye, what we came for blood and glory, blood and glory” as they prepare to attack the Yankee privateer. Any reader who has an interest in American history during the time before the Revolutionary War will enjoy the book especially if they like nautical tales.

White is successful in luring the reader into the world of life in the waters and lands around Chesapeake Bay, but he obviously intends to continue the story and he leaves several plot threads dangling like how will the romance between Phillip Fairaday and Peggy Raison develop and will Fairaday and Marlowe meet in battle and who will come out victorious which makes for a tantalizing and frustrating ending. I enjoyed the book especially since I know little about the struggles on and off the American coastline prior to the Revolution. My only criticism of the book was that it left me hanging wondering what was going to happen to Fairaday and Marlborough. I would recommend the book to anyone who enjoys a nautical tale set at the birth of the American navy.

White has woven together a story of strong, forceful men on opposing sides of the upcoming battles of the American Revolution and even though, Americans will naturally side with the Yankees, the author makes the British sailors interesting enough that you can also hope that the British will be successful in their endeavors or at least not suffer any serious harm. He paints a picture of naval warfare that should appeal to naval buffs and landlubbers alike and should leave them wanting to read more about Fairaday and Marlborough.

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