San Diego, California - October 2009

Visiting HMS Surprise, the frigate upon which the movie Master & Commander was filmed, starring Russell Crowe as Captain Jack Aubrey and Paul Bettany as Dr. Stephen Maturin. It was this movie that formed the foundation of my inspiration for writing novels set on the sea.

Further Reading:

http://sdmaritime.org/visit/the-ships/hms-surprise/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Surprise

Historical Background – Brass Monkey

Historical Background – Son of a Gun

Historical Background – The Age of Sail

Historical Backdrop – Magpie

Historical Backdrop – Dr. Leander Braden

Historical Backdrop – Francis ‘Fly’ Austen

Rules Restaurant, Maiden Lane

Somerset House

Admiralty House, London

Transatlantic Journey Ft. Lauderdale to Lisbon

Destination Portsmouth

Admiralty House – Searching The Archives

Exploring Jane Austen’s Literary Home

Kenwood House England

Exploring HMS Victory

Inspiration – Visit to the HMS Surprise