Malta 1941. To most people HMS Saracen is just an ugly, obsolete ship with an equally ugly recent history: her last commander is due for court-martial after shelling the troops he was sent to protect. But to Captain Richard Chesnaye she brings back memories
- memories of the First World War when he & the old monitor went through the Gallipoli campaign together. It seems that captain & ship are both past their best. But as the war enters a new phase Chesnaye senses the possibility of a fresh, significant role
- for him & the Saracen.