My inestimable friend / Alastair R. Brown.

A biography of Rear-Admiral William Brown (1764-1814), the author's great-great-grandfather. He joined the Royal Navy at the age of 13 as a captain's servant before being appointed a midshipman. He passed his lieutenant's examination in 1788, was promoted to commander in 1791, post-captain in 1793 and was made Rear-Admiral in 1811. He served with the Mediterranean Fleet and joined the Channel Fleet in 1794 under Lord Howe. Brown, then in command of the Ajax, returned to England to give evidence at the court-martial of Vice-Admiral Robert Calder in 1805. A full list of Brown's ships and his family tree are provided.