In his only novel about the American sailing navy, C.S. Forester describes the exploits of a typical U.S. frigate cruising at sea during the War of 1812. Its captain, Josiah Peabody, demonstrates the revolutionary virtues of a new democracy fighting for its survival against an overwhelmingly superior British navy. During his daring voyage from Long Island Sound to the Caribbean, Peabody and his crew manage to outrun, outfox and outmaneuver their clumsier opponents and deal them some shrewd blows in the process. At the same time, Peabody wins the affections of the same lady admired by the captain of a British warship.