Ramage (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Founder | Dudley Pope |
| Products | Historical naval fiction |
Ramage (1965) marks the inaugural entry in the Lord Ramage series authored by Dudley Pope, set against the backdrop of the French Revolutionary Wars and subsequently the Napoleonic wars.
Plot
Nicholas Lord Ramage, serving as third lieutenant aboard His Majesty's vessel Sibella, takes command after a French ship kills the Captain and senior officers. With the Sibella severely damaged and more than half the crew, including medical personnel, lost, Ramage opts to abandon the ship, leaving wounded men behind to be captured by the French, hoping they will receive treatment. Before departing, he retrieves crucial documents along with the Captain’s final orders. The surviving crew escapes via lifeboats as the French set fire to the Sibella.
Upon reviewing Sir John Jervis's directives, Ramage discovers the objective was to extract the Marchesa di Volterri and five other aristocrats from Austria’s exposed northern Italian regions. Since Britain lacked significant land forces on the continent, it supported allies such as Austria and Spain through financial aid and naval strength. Determined to fulfill this mission, Ramage lands a small team at Monte Argentario using the Captain’s gig and local guidance, successfully locating the Marchesa.
Half of the nobles refuse to flee; however, Ramage manages to rescue both the Marchesa and her cousin Count Pisano, while Count Pitti is believed to have been killed by Napoleon’s cavalry during their escape. Later, Captain Probus aboard the frigate Lively picks them up. Pisano accuses Ramage of cowardice concerning Pitti’s fate and files an official complaint. Meanwhile, Ramage and the Marchesa enter a tentative romantic involvement complicated by her family’s political maneuvering and need for discretion.[1]
Ramage faces a court martial under the Articles of War for losing command of Sibella, with Captain Croucher—an opponent of Ramage’s father—charging him with cowardice. The hearing is interrupted by Commodore Nelson’s arrival. Nelson assigns Ramage command of the cutter Kathleen to undertake a rescue operation for HMS Belette’’’s crew trapped under enemy fire. After completing this mission successfully, Ramage learns that Count Pitti survived by hiding and escaping capture. The story closes with Ramage preparing to escort both the Marchesa and Count Pitti to safety in Gibraltar.
Characters
- Lieutenant Ramage – third lieutenant who assumes control of Sibella following the deaths of senior officers.
- Gianna, Marchessa di Volterri – Italian noblewoman fleeing French occupation, distinguished by her remarkable beauty.
- Count Luigi Pisano – Italian refugee saved by Ramage; frequently accuses him of cowardice; characterized as vain with a delicate sense of honor.
- Count Antonio Pitti – among the Italian refugees escaping alongside Ramage.
- Thomas Jackson – American coxswain aboard Sibella, skilled in maritime duties.
- Nino – Italian charcoal burner loyal to the Marchesa, providing her shelter from French forces.
- Captain Aloysius Probus – peer and captain of , who shows sympathy toward Ramage during his court martial.
- Captain Croucher – political adversary of Ramage's father; commands the Trumpeter.
- Lieutenant Jack Dawlish – close friend to Ramage and lieutenant aboard the Lively.
- Commodore Horatio Nelson – fleet commander stationed at Bastia.
Ships
British vessels:
- HMS Sibella
- , a 74-gun ship of the line
- His Majesty's Cutter Kathleen
- HMS Belette
French vessels:
- Barras
Critical reception
The New York Times commended Ramage as "An impressive narrative crafted with flair, brilliance, and commanding expertise."
The Evening Standard described it as "An excellent depiction of naval combat, an ongoing terrestrial adventure...a compelling narrative."
Orville Prescott remarked that "Dudley Pope has propelled his tale forward with steady momentum," forecasting that Lieutenant Nicholas Ramage would have a prosperous career navigating hazardous Napoleonic maritime exploits.
Publication history
Notable editions include:
- 1965, Lippincott, 302 pages
- 1970, Lippincott Williams and Wilkens (ISBN 9780397003945)
- 1974, Weidenfeld & Nicolson (ISBN 9780297767077), 301 pages
- 1975, Quartet Books (ISBN 9780704312418), 288 pages
- 2000, McBook Press, Ithaca NY (ISBN 978-0-935526-76-9), paperback, 319 pages
- 2003, Redwood Editions (ISBN 9781741211276), 379 pages
References
- ↑ Captain Probus likens their relationship to "Romeo and Juliet," emphasizing Ramage’s emotional entanglement.