The Lubber’s Hole - A Patrick O’Brian Podcast

There are two visitors to the Lubber's Hole, greetings from home, visions of Christine, shifting local politics, a couple of naval actions, another burial at sea, and Jack has a plan! Ch. 9 & inter chapter.

There’s more weather to be weathered, as Stephen considers his contributions to scientific knowledge. William Reade is brought up short, Sir David makes an appearance, and we quote some Shakespeare. Ch 8.

In Rio, Jack learns about the Asp before leaving to go around Cape Horn. There's a nod to POB's first two nautical books, brushes with brutal weather and seas, women up to the challenge, and men working hard as supplies run short. Ch 7.

A death leads to a “surprise” promotion. Harding jinxes the ship and we explore the doldrums - geographic and emotional, a US flashback, the ship’s cats, and our potential adversary in Chile. Ch 6.

The Surprise arrives in Sierra Leone. In the midst of amazing wildlife, Stephen takes his chance with Christine. Jacob and Stephen worry about Jack, and young Hanson enters the boxing ring, fighting for the Surprise. Ch 5.

There are irregularities (of the digestive kind) aboard the Surprise, as Mr Hanson progresses with Jack as a mentor. Stephen hopes for intelligence from Dr Jacob while the galley chorus rallies round. Ch 4.

Jack hurries to get his ship repaired while Stephen works to confirm the mission to Chile with Sir Joseph. There’s family time for some. A royal connection adds to the midshipman’s berth, as Stephen’s pocket-watch works its way into the story once again. Ch 3.

Jack returns to his amorous ways. The Surprise’s fortunes change and change again. Stephen is disappointed, worried, concerned, and ill-dressed. Wantage returns, though not entirely intact, and there’s a fiery ending for all. Ch 2.

The Surprise’s departure for Chile is short-lived as she threatens to founder. Barmouth is back, Keith is not, and we learn about the differences between sailors and soldiers. Ch 1.

Jack and the Surprise go after the galley, but the capture does not go as planned. Neither does much else. There’s a long chase, yet another new Dey, another death, and another potential complication for Jack’s career. Ch 10.

Jack tries to minimize the possibility of Lord Barmouth sending a different ship after the gold galley. Stephen has a favour to ask of Lady Keith, and Jacob leaves the ship without permission. Meanwhile, a pirate galley awaits the dark of the moon. Ch 9.

Stephen and Jacob return to Algiers to find the Ringle and Surprise. Once again, there’s a new Dey in town. Stephen has some unexpected additions to his family. He doubts his diagnostic ability and his judgment, while seeking help from the wind and from a corsair. Ch. 8.

Stephen and Jacob head off into the mountains. There are animals, bribes, secret acquaintances, some Royal Navy history, a lion hunt, grand theft, and a wicked desert sandstorm. Ch 7.

Shakespeare on death, a strong blow, more jeopardy for young Daniel and stories about his life. Meanwhile Jack shows birds to Stephen, there’s an unredeemed Killick, Algiers, lions, and tigers and bears, oh my… OK, no bears - but there’s a new Dey in town. Ch 6.

Action ensues, and our deep intelligence coves start some action of their own. Dr Stephen Maturin and Commodore Jack Aubrey visit The Lubber’s Hole! And we have a fiery time along the Adriatic Coast as Muslim gold heads for Napoleon’s mercenaries. Ch 5.

The Pomone is still unreliable, ill omens continue, the hand of glory disappears, a duel between Surprise’s officers is in the offing, and foreign ships move to take the weather gauge - with a curiously unfamiliar flag in view. Ch 4.

We have another tragic death in the squadron, the continued threat of bad luck and ill-omens, Killick’s rise and fall, a German flute-playing Marine officer, lucky objects threatened, and some music - as the naval and intelligence missions continue. Ch 3.

Jack exercises the squadron’s great guns. Stephen composes music, gets a new loblolly-”boy,” and sketches the severed hand. There’s a mention of bad omens, darkness lurks in the background, danger threatens, and the squadron is called to action. Ch 2.

The Hundred Days begin: The squadron arrives in Gibraltar and in the blink of an eye we learn what's changed. There are unexpected deaths near and far, threats on the continent, and invaluable intelligence and naval missions for our heroes. Ch 1.

Our latest Crossing The Line special is all about audiobooks. With the help of special guests Steve Morris, Chris Durbin, Simon Vance and Sue Dennis we explore the artistry, the practicalities and reminiscences of how words like O'Brian's came to be spoken aloud for us.

Jack and Stephen return to London to attend the meetings which may determine the future of Jack’s naval career. There’s time at home, a Surprise make over, vacation with the family courtesy of the Chileans, and an even bigger surprise! Ch. 10

It's summer vacation time, so we’re taking a pause, to bring you something new in our ‘Crossing the Line’ series - a chance for you to dig deeper into the music of the Patrick O’Brian canon. Check out our playlists of classical of traditional & popular music. We'll be back with The Yellow Admiral next week.

The squadron is reinforced with ships but no supplies or post arrive. Stephen performs his most frequent surgery, and Killick has some great moments. Jack gets kudos from O’Brian, but worries about the French navy and the potential end of the war. Ch 9.

The Committee votes on Stephen’s plan. Stephen visits Woolcombe. Sophie gets an education. Jack considers his options, after Stephen rejoins the squadron. O’Brian demonstrates his Latin chops, and we lean heavily on our consulting Latinist! Ch 8.

Stuck waiting for repairs, Jack returns to the squadron too late to pick up Stephen and frets over the Admiral's view of his recent prize-taking. Stephen’s roundabout homeward journey takes him to London, to Blaine, and the promise of a new intelligence coup. Ch 7.

Jack worries about Stephen, teaches trig and upsets the Admiral, again. All is not well at home. (Hint: Mrs Williams is back.) There’s a potential prize, a blow and an unexpected time ashore. Ch 6.

There are disasters of old in these treacherous waters, music with a delightful new youngster, left-handed instruments, a great gun exercise, skylarking, an unexpected turn, and an anxiety-filled parting in the dark. Ch. 5.

Jack and Stephen try to rejoin the squadron; We learn what women most desire; and the Admiral reacts to the inclosure vote. There are wrinkled arses, maggot therapy, and a potential new career path for Jack. Ch 4.

The big prize fight is here, and the women step up (as usual). There's a bad omen, perhaps a little nobbling, a brief history of lechery, and some masterfully scary driving. Ch 3.

Jack and Stephen discuss a plan to inclose the common land next to Woolcombe. We discover birds disguised as metaphors (or is it the other way around) while Jack plots to get himself into even more trouble in Parliament. Ch 2.

We begin The Yellow Admiral: Jack and the Bellona are redeployed, but Jack is back in London for parliamentary business, and to deal with complications from his slavery mission. Stephen’s gone missing and Sir Joseph Blaine is worried. Ch 1.

We talk to Will Sofrin and Capt. Richard Bailey about Will’s book, All Hands on Deck: A Modern-Day High Seas Adventure to the Far Side of the World. We hear about their remarkable adventure and learn a little bit about the story behind the book.

Jack worries about the odds if they don’t find the French 74. No plan survives contact with the enemy or mother nature. We reach Ireland at last with heavy weather, Biblical references, everyone in need of a pilot, and a multitude of surprises. Ch 10.

Stephen’s shore leave karma comes home, and we get a yellow jack education. Inter-squadron tension increases. In the Bight of Benin we meet a new potto and a potto-loving woman, while there's new from home. Can the squadron leave in time to catch the French? Ch. 9.

The squadron makes its presence known, Stephen trips himself up on shore leave, Jack gains perspective on being a Commodore and the Africa mission comes together. There’s pottos, miasmata, and the Bight of Benin. Ch 8.

En route to Africa, Jack reads his secret orders and wonders about Stephen’s thoughts. Stephen considers what to do about Capt. Duff. Jack finalises his plans after momentarily setting up as a political cove and has his first encounter at sea with a slaver. Ch 7.

What's that sound - a great fleet action? We have friends helping friends; questionable Plato; jealousy revealed and confronted; and a pause for perspective - the ultimate distress of mind. We also have an interview with George Jepson and Brittany Stoner of McBooks Press. Ch 6.

A short Easter message to tide you over while the spring celebrations are underway. Episode 150 will be with you next week.

Stephen rides back to the ship deciding what to do. Jack confronts “the green-eyed monster” - a reference for all you Othello fans. Plus family time (of a kind) on the Ringle, the Doctor’s fan club, a young Jack in the making, and bawdy humour from Hamlet. Ch 5.

We have the Captain’s dinner with all of Jack’s command, we hear more about Captain Thomas, and things turn deadly dangerous for Stephen. Plus we have a review of Trafalgar - Fog of War, by Seth Hunter. Ch 4.

We spend more time with Jack’s family, as Mrs Williams sinks even lower. Stephen gets two surprises, one good and one bad. We get close-up views of the squadron, Sophie’s concerns, Jack’s musical abilities, and a lecture on what a proper sick-berth should be. Ch 3.

Jack has some news to offset his injury. Stephen meets Sir Joseph. Mrs. Williams is back and on steroids. There are interesting Easter Eggs, a new post captain, historical footnotes, and schadenfreude galore. Will Stephen finally get to see Diana and Brigid? Ch 2.

We are coming home to England! We hear about a lucky backgammon game, childhood high jinks, potentially good news for Captain Aubrey, and a change of plans for Stephen. Ch 1.

There's Noah’s Ark, action at sea, a race against an iceberg, unrelenting nature, more disaster, bad luck, and multiple good spots to end the book, plus our interview with guest Paul Bryers, author of the Nathan Peake books. Ch 10 (second half).

Jack looks for Stephen. Stephen takes to sea. Their chase has a new beast in view. There are tips for frostbite, a different kind of sneer, Inca gold, talk of lightning, lots of ice, and ships, expected and unexpected, but no more of Stephen’s mission. Ch 10 (first half).

Pullings makes an important discovery. Stephen gets to see the high Andes and tires of the local cuisine. We meet a new ancient, a curious saint, a global mushroom, and a troubling dream before everything comes crashing down. Next time, listen to the animals! Ch 9.

A plan comes together quickly, Stephen is unusually confident, there are Malta Knights, mountain journeys, a wonderful mule, amazing oilbirds, a dreaded interloper, irascible animals, an unexpected development and we’re off again! Ch. 8.

The girls go to church, Stephen continues his mission ashore, Dutourd goes missing, and Jack takes on a big wind in a small boat. We talk about earthquakes, the Inquisition, Incas, and the changing situation in Peru. Ch. 7.

We finally reach Peru, and Stephen’s mission begins. The Franklin and the Surprise and Jack and Stephen part company. Martin’s illness is fully diagnosed. O’Brian takes several forays into the Bible, and Sam Panda returns! Ch 6.

The Surprise, led by a barrel, sails full speed into an examination of human behaviour, a pursuit of prizes, and danger - nautically and interpersonally. We learn about Ben Franklin, language, gender and agency. Something for everyone! Ch 5