Summary:

Title: Gale Force 10: The Life and Legacy of Admiral Beaufort (2002)

Author: Nicholas Courtney

Genre: Non-Fiction, Biography

Overview: This story of Francis Beaufort, more than his famed accomplishments, embellishes on life in the late 18th century as a young seafarer with well off parents, in Britain. Growing up in post American Revolution England, Beaufort must realize his skills with the help of his family’s network, but also with fierce determination and bravery in sea battles and storm. The book nicely divides his life, chapter by chapter, or rank by rank – which is only fitting. Nothing is sacred in this book, which gives the reader a wonderful sneak peek into the private letters of Beaufort and his brother and a look into his affairs with prostitutes and, later in life, his sister. I mention this only because it should help a potential reader to understand that this story is not just about the instruments and methodologies Beaufort is famous for bringing into common usage, it is also the story of a human, in a position of meritocratic power.

Critique:

If you truly are interested in learning about the English Sailor, Rear-Admiral Francis Beaufort, this is the book for you. I could not say that it is dry, though I caution you that that is probably due to my deep interest in such a significant figure in maritime history – I mean, this man spent a majority of his waking moments meticulously documenting voyages, weather, behavior, tides, stars, depths, etc… Not only did Beaufort deal with hard blows throughout his career, he buffaloed through them with vigor, intelligence, and sometimes ill-manners.  The book is a fair and balanced review of the man, Francis Beaufort.

Suggestions: Read this if you want to know about Francis Beaufort – Don’t if you want to know about the Beaufort Scale – as that subject is but a few chapters in the entirety of the book.  If your short on time, and need the basics, wikipedia would work for this biography. But if you need something more deep, please read this. (Disclaimer: this is the only text I’ve read on the subject.)

Dirty Sailor Company (DSC) Essay:

 Peeking into our roots: 

Gale Force 10 made a mark on me. The author, Nicholas Courtney, used Francis Beaufort as an object to navigate the larger world of maritime culture during a moment in time that would have lasting effects. Beaufort himself spent a majority of his time trying to improve methods of sailing, shipkeeping, charting, managing, leading, and loving. In this book, we bounce Beaufort’s professional and social methods off what he practiced to what he preached. For example, Beaufort would often have his crew flogged for naughty language or sexual deviance, then he would write joking descriptions of his experiences with prostitutes in various ports. Beaufort’s father used his social network to leverage Francis’ early career – he even went as far as asking a friend to forge sea-time for Beaufort to have his career kickstarted, a practice which apparently was common for upper middle-class of the time (go figure). 

Moving into the science and realm of seamanship, Beaufort used nothing more than determination and diligence to survey the waters he sailed, and, maybe more significantly, communicate the importance of ongoing surveys and dedication to establishing and maintaining aids to navigation around the world. By the early 19th century, maritime risks were well known, though any attempt to minimize them was looked at either with scorn (from wreckers and puritans) or through a superior and conceited lens.  Most believed the English Navy was the best and had no room to grow. As a scientist, Beaufort knew better. From a young age, he was determined to establish mass scale data collection movements, to build the best charts for English shipping. In addition, he was determined to understand the tides, the currents, the winds, storms, the stars, and methods for communicating in standard and accurate ways about each.

Francis Beaufort seems to be a great figure to understand in the maritime. He wore a mask as a leader, as many do. He was determined and skilled. And he traveled all the seas, with an eye towards progress.  

Purchase “Gale Force 10.”