While Lt. Hornblower studies for his promotion examination, he is distracted by the serious supply problems that face his crew.

Horatio Hornblower begins his naval career, but a deadly feud with a despicable mate is causing complications.

Lt. Hornblower and his mates are sent to accompany a doomed royalist invasion of revolutionary France.

Lt. Hornblower and his crew are captured by the enemy while escorting a Duchess who has secrets of her own.