The Investigators

Viac o knihe

A novel of high adventure, exploration, shipwreck, and survival, based on the life of John Franklin, a fifteen-year-old midshipman and cousin of Matthew Flinders. John always dreamed of being a sailor. At fourteen, he volunteered for the Royal Navy and participated in the Battle of Copenhagen, but nothing could prepare him for the adventure that awaited in 1801 aboard HMS Investigator, as it aimed to chart the first circumnavigation of Australia. Tasked with managing the chronometers under the watchful eye of Flinders' younger brother, John experienced the action and excitement he had longed for. This journey inspired him to become a notable navigator and explorer of the 19th century. However, he faced numerous challenges onboard, including rivalries with shipmates, food shortages, and the harsh realities of colonial encounters. Danger, disease, and death loomed over the crew, and the Investigator itself faced peril, necessitating a retreat to Koepang in present-day Indonesia for repairs. While history records the successful circumnavigation of Australia, the story reveals the trials and tribulations encountered along the way, painting a vivid picture of a young sailor's coming of age amidst extraordinary circumstances.