Allusions/references To Actual History, Geography and Current Science
The two frigate actions, HMS Java against the USS Constitution, and HMS Shannon against the USS Chesapeake (details), that form the basis of the narrative are real events although transformed for storytelling effect by O'Brian. The latter battle is discussed in the Memoir of Admiral Sir P. B. V. Broke, Bart., KCB, etc. (London, 1866)
Read more about this topic: The Fortune Of War
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