Researching the Kydd Novels #2
One of the elements of writing my Kydd tales that I particularly enjoy is the research, and it’s one of the things I’m most questioned about when I give talks or do author signings. There are many aspects of this – consulting primary and secondary sources, speaking to experts, undertaking location research, visiting museums and archives. I’m often asked about the length of time research for a book takes – that’s a difficult thing to quantify because in some ways I guess I have been doing it subconsciously all my life, during my time at sea absorbing the universals all mariners take to their hearts and ingesting material from countless maritime books, both fiction and non-fiction, that I’ve been drawn to from an early age.
Experts to go!
Camelford
Dr David Green at the USDA Forest Service provided details of the specific gravity of swamp oaks that enabled me to send Kydd on his night-time sabotage mission against the French frigate in Quarterdeck.
Dr Dennis Wheeler of the University of Sutherland shared his analysis of the meteorological conditions during October 1805, providing insights for Victory.
Dr Reg Murphy of the Antigua Dockyard told me the story of a deadly confrontation on the quayside in Kydd’s day. A rusting old anchor marks the spot where a British peer and acting commander – Thomas Pitt, the 2nd Baron Camelford – shot dead another officer in a pistol duel. This incident went on to become the basis for my fatal meeting between Farrell and Powell in Seaflower.
I work very hard to ensure the veracity of my books, and much of this I owe to the many leading authorities across a broad spectrum of specialities whom I’ve consulted over the years who have freely shared their knowledge. And of course my own professional experiences in the British and Australian navies, both on the lower deck as a naval shipwright and on the quarterdeck as an officer, are of immense value in achieving an insight into the motives, fears and satisfactions of life at sea.
as always Julian I enjoy your novels. The time period is when jolly jack was either on a gallon a beer a day or a pint of rum, when Admiral Vernon cut the tot down with water. This VERY important episode of life in the Royal Navy had largely been neglected in all nautical stories. There is a very good book ‘Nelson’s Blood’ by Captain Pack of which I have a copy and would be willing to lend to you if needed. I’m sure you have plenty of modern tales of the rum issue, but Nelson stories would be very interesting. Either way, continue the excellent work Julian, Cheers John Hume (ex-POSA(V)) 1961 (Ganges) – 1973 (Dundas).
Thanks for your kind words, John – and offer of the loan of the book but I do have a copy in my library.
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