Richard Bolitho – Midshipman

About “Richard Bolitho – Midshipman”

In 1772, a sixteen-year-old midshipman joins the crew of the Gorgon, a ship sent to investigate the slave trade along Africa's west coast. The novel, written by Douglas Reeman under the pen name Alexander Kent, follows the young officer as he experiences the challenges of naval life and the moral complexities of the mission. The story is set during a time of growing awareness of the slave trade's horrors, and the midshipman's perspective offers insight into both the dangers of the voyage and the broader social issues of the era. The narrative focuses on the crew's journey and the personal growth of the young sailor.