Fire on the Waters: A Novel of the Civil War at Sea

The year is 1861 and America shudders on the brink of disunion. Elisha Eaker scion of a wealthy Manhattan banking family joins the Navy against his fathers wishes. He does it as much to avoid an arranged marriage to his cousin Araminta Van Velsor as to defend the flag. Eli meets Lieutenant Ker Claiborne aboard the sloop of war U.S.S. Owanee. An Annapolis graduate whos seen action in the West Indies and the Africa Station Claiborne is cool and competent in storm and battle but he now faces an agonizing choice between the Navy he loves and his native Virginia. Whichever road he takes hell be called a traitor. With authentic nautical and historical detail master sea-yarner David Poyer follows Eli Araminta Ker and their loved ones and shipmates into a maelstrom of divided loyalties bitter partings stormy seas governmental panic political blundering and finally the test of battle as the bloodiest and most divisive war in American history begins.