Book 1 of The Sea Hawkes Chronicles
Historical Fiction/Nautical Fiction
Date Published: April 10, 2025
Publisher: Acorn Publishing
The man who fights for his family is far more dangerous than the one who
fights for his king.
Colonial sea captain Jonas Hawke returns home to Norfolk after a year-long
voyage only to have his ship and its valuable cargo seized by the British
Royal Navy. As the royal governor further tightens the noose on trade, Jonas
is thrust into the chaos of a growing rebellion. Desperate to support his
family, he sets out to find work. When he is denied a commission with the
newly formed Continental Navy, he outfits his own vessel as a private
ship-of-war and voyages to the Caribbean in search of enemy merchant ships
he can capture and friends he can trust.
But dangers multiply on the unforgiving sea. The Royal Navy reacts
mercilessly to the threat posed by privateers like Jonas. How will Jonas
fare now that he has boldly defied the King of Britain to preserve his
family? And what will happen to his loved ones while he is away, engulfed in
a war to oppose tyranny in the name of freedom?
EXCERPT
30 September 1775
Norfolk, Colony of Virginia
“Get the printing press, typesets, ink, and paper. Leave nothing.”
The Royal Marines spread throughout the poorly lighted shop to begin the tasks ordered by the Royal Navy lieutenant in command. Their bright red jackets faded to the color of blood in the shop’s dim interior.
Four of them disassembled the large printing press that stood in the center of the room. The odor of dried ink permeated the warm fetid air as more marines searched large cupboards at the base of the back wall, seeking quarter casks of ink. Two more seized wooden-framed trays of typeset from shelves next to the press. Others dragged burlap-covered bundles of blank newsprint toward the door. They collided with those carrying trays of type. Finally, two men overturned boxes, pulled out drawers and spilled them, and generally disarranged the contents of tables, desks, cupboards, and cabinets, ostensibly looking for printed papers.
The Marine sergeant moved to untangle the groups near the door, then stepped back to the center of the room to oversee the action. The lieutenant came and stood next to him.
Seeing the men at the back shake their heads after they’d opened the last of the cabinets, the sergeant said, “Beg pardon, sir, we canna find any ink.”
“Hmph. There must be some here. Keep looking. Have the men search the rest of the house. Did you find that bastard Holt yet?”
“No, sir. Corporal Coates says he heard a door in the back slam after we started lookin’ around. He and Williams went back there, quick like, but they couldna see anyone. House’s deserted, sir.”
The lieutenant fumed. He was supposed to obtain a fully operable printing press, and that required ink. He was also supposed to deliver a fully cowed and silenced newspaper’s owner. That didn’t appear likely, either.
“Keep at it.”
“Yes, sir.”
The sergeant came to attention, then moved off to further motivate his men.
The Virginia Gazette & Norfolk Intelligencer was to be put permanently out of business. The lieutenant was also to escort Mr. Holt aboard ship to meet with Lord Dunmore’s secretary. They would discuss Holt’s unreasoned and senseless attacks against both the Royal Governor and the Royal Navy; in particular, on Captain Squire, Otter’s commanding officer.
Lord Dunmore’s orders on those points had been very direct and strongly worded. He desired John Holt himself so he might ensure more favorable coverage of Lord Dunmore’s activities in the region. The fact that the newspaper had been printing mostly truthful articles — only slightly exaggerated — didn’t concern the lieutenant. Nor did he care that the Royal Navy had ravaged the countryside and the coastline, seizing fishing boats and small trading schooners without even the pretense of legitimacy.
In tit-for-tat retaliation, the colonists had seized a tender from Otter, removing all its fittings and furnishings. The Navy had gotten the empty hull back eventually. This, however, had angered the lieutenant.
Loath to disappoint Captain Squire, the latter being somewhat difficult when his orders weren’t carried out to the fullest, no matter the reason, the lieutenant turned and walked out to the street. His neck cloth cloyed at his throat as beads of sweat ran down his body beneath his jacket.
Situated in a semi-circle centered on the door, another eight marines held loaded muskets across their chests, fingers rigid beside triggers. Beyond them stood a silent crowd, almost exclusively men. The few women stood at the back. Most of both wore scowls, but no one spoke.
The lieutenant hoped someone would provoke his men, goad them into conflict. The young officer was looking for a fight. He’d grown tired of hiding aboard ship, foraging for scraps during short raids ashore. He was particularly tired of the people who’d caused him such discomfort. Life in these colonies was irritating enough without having to deal with the colonials. They were mean-spirited, vengeful, and had long memories. They still smoldered over events of more than a decade ago, when the lieutenant had been but a schoolboy. How they retained such anger, he couldn’t understand, least of all when it was directed at him, his governor, or especially his king. He’d be grateful to be shut of them when Otter returned to England in thirteen months. In the meantime, he wished for one, just one, to open his mouth.
He sneered in the direction of the crowd. None did, though murmurs broke out then died quickly. Cowards. He turned away and went back inside.
About the Author
Naval Academy and Naval War College graduate Thomas M. Wing retired after
thirty-two years as a Navy Surface Warfare officer. He served more than ten
years at sea and twenty-two years ashore in increasingly important tactical
and operational billets. A dedicated sailor for half a century, he created
the Continental Navy Foundation, served as its executive director, and
commanded its brigantine, Megan D.
He wrote In Harm’s Way from a desire to explore the topic of
America’s early sea warriors and how they struck fear into the hearts
of British shippers around the globe. Thomas’s award-winning first
novel, Against All Enemies, was released in 2023 by Acorn Publishing. He
resides in San Diego with his wife and daughter and a cat and a dog.
Whatever free time he has is spent on the water.
Contact Links
Twitter: @thomasmwing1
Purchase Link
