Life of a Sailor

Frederick Chamier went to sea in 1809 as an officer in the Royal Navy. Like his contemporary Captain Frederick Marryat, he enjoyed a successful literary career and is well remembered for his naval novels. This book, his first, is usually catalogued as fiction, although it is an exact account of his naval experiences, with every individual, ship, and event he described corroborated by his service records. Told with humor and insight, it is considered one of the era s most authentic accounts of a young officer s service. From anti-slavery patrols off Africa to punitive raids on the American coast during the War of 1812, Chamier provides details of many lesser-known campaigns. His descriptions of British naval operations in America, which reflected his objection to bringing the war to the civilian population, were highly criticized by his seniors.