Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
Mutiny on the Spanish Main
- HMS Hermione and the Royal Navy’s Revenge
- Narrated by: Sid Sagar
- Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
99p for the first 3 months
Mutiny on the Spanish Main
Buy Now for £12.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
Summary
The true story of one of the most notorious mutinies in naval history, which provided inspiration for Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey–Maturin and C.S. Forester’s Hornblower novels.
In 1797 the 32-gun Royal Navy frigate HMS Hermione was serving in the Caribbean, at the forefront of Britain’s bitter sea war against Spain and Revolutionary France. Its commander, the sadistic and mercurial Captain Hugh Pigot ruled through terror, flogging his men mercilessly and pushing them beyond the limits of human endurance. On the night of 21 September 1797, past breaking point and drunk on stolen rum, the crew rebelled, slaughtering Pigot and nine of his officers in the bloodiest mutiny in the history of the Royal Navy. Handing the ship over to the Spanish, the crew fled, sparking a manhunt that would last a decade. Seeking to wipe clean this stain on its name, the Royal Navy pursued the traitorous mutineers relentlessly, hunting them across the globe, and, in 1801, seized the chance to recover its lost ship in one of the most daring raids of the Age of Fighting Sail. Anchored in a heavily fortified Venezuelan harbour, the Hermione – now known as the Santa Cecilia – was retaken in a bold night-time action, stolen out from under the Spanish guns. Back in British hands, the Hermione was renamed once more – its new identity a stark warning to would-be mutineers: Retribution.
Drawing on letters, reports, ships’ logs, and memoirs of the period, as well as previously unpublished Spanish sources, Angus Konstam intertwines extensive research with a fast-paced but balanced account to create a fascinating retelling of one of the most notorious events in the history of the Royal Navy, and its extraordinary, wide-ranging aftermath.
Critic reviews
"Angus Konstam is a master of meticulous maritime research and has brilliantly reignited this stirring tale of mutiny, savage murder, treason and subsequent Royal Navy daring and gallant retaliation and retribution. It is a cracking good read." (Admiral Sir Jock Slater, Royal Navy (rtd.), former first sea lord)
"Angus Konstam has delivered a masterful work. Fast moving, fascinating intrigue, incredible action, and heroic retribution by the Royal Navy. Meticulous research includes a surprising impact on US history. Patrick O’Brian would love this book. I couldn’t put it down!" (Admiral Jay L. Johnson, US Navy (rtd.), former chief of naval operations)
What listeners say about Mutiny on the Spanish Main
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Kingfisheri
- 02-04-21
Good summary of events.
A fascinating story, but one that lacks enough detail and historical accounts of the struggles men and boys faced whilst being subject to the harsh conditions while at sea- this should have been noted of the Spanish navy (who overcrewed the vessel upon its capture, as mentioned in the book, thus worsening living standards aboad). What drove the mutiny is clearly desperation to be rid of the tyrannical Captain Pigot. More chapters on both this and comparisons with mutinies in the Spanish or French navies would have made the book better.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- D Paterson
- 24-12-20
Angus at his best.
Angus Konstam at his best, shining a spotlight on a piece of forgotten British history. Atmospheric, accurate and well read.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Robert
- 29-06-22
excellent 👌
very pleasant to listen to and also learnt some new about the RN during this time period. win win
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!