[Westerly Gales 03] • Into Uncharted Seas_Westerly Gales

In a future world, centuries after a generations-long "Time of Troubles" during which a cascade of global disasters both natural and man-made has reduced mankind to scattered handfuls of survivors who exist at a paleolithic level, a group of refugees based in the sub-antarctic Kerguelen Islands believes itself to be the last surviving remnant of technological civilization. Then mysterious raiders, using technology only slightly less advanced than that of the Kergs, attack.

In this, the third novel in the Westerly Gales series, Commodore Sam Bowditch of the Republic of Kerguelen Navy continues the war at sea against the corsairs of the Caliphate, who threaten Kerguelen's maritime trade with her Indian Ocean colonies, and, ultimately, the very existence of the Kerguelenian diaspora.

Between desperate battles at sea, Sam must administer the rapid growth of the infant Navy, oversee the integration of new technology into the fleet, and cope with his conflicting feelings about two women: medical officer Dr. Marie Girard, with whom he had a brief and passionate fling; and Madeline Dupree, widow of his best friend and the woman he had fallen in love with on first meeting.

He is particularly challenged by the need to defend shipping and settlements, grow the infant Navy, cope with manning shortfalls, and adopt new weapons and tactics -- all while struggling to move away from a purely reactive and defensive stance toward an aggressive strategy of taking the battle to the enemy. One new-old technology, in particular, will be the key to overcoming the enemy's advantage in numbers and wealth, naval aviation. But can the Kergs succeed in making this technological leap?

Readers of the two previous novels in the series, "Westerly Gales" and "Cruise of the Albatros", have this to say about them: "Great story about a possible future..." The comparisons to Patrick O'Brian are justified" ..." It's a bit like "Back to the Future" meets Horatio Hornblower. It is terrific and fast moving." "This was an excellent combination of post apocalyptic and naval fiction, making it one of the most unique examples of the former I have ever read"..."I've sorely missed O'Brien with his untimely passing. But weep no more, as E.C. Williams has gracefully stepped to the fore front. One of the best sea stories I've ever read, and I've read many and many of them."