Leopard - Paperback

Leopard - Revolutionary War Naval Fiction

Set in 1780 during the height of the Revolutionary War, Leopard follows Captain Gabe as he takes temporary command of HMS Leopard, a formidable fifty-gun ship. After months on the beach following accusations from an angered admiral, Gabe finds himself thrust back into action when he discovers a decimated British convoy while sailing the crippled Trident to Antigua dockyards.

Historical Naval Action in the Caribbean

American privateers have grown increasingly bold, entering British ports and wreaking havoc among British shipping. Lord Anthony sets sail with a squadron to confront these privateers, but the situation becomes more complex when Spain secretly enters the war to aid the Americans. The British forces remain unaware of this new threat until Gabe's discovery changes everything.

Once in Antigua, the admiral assigns Gabe a critical mission: take command of HMS Leopard and locate Lord Anthony's squadron to warn them of Spain's entry into the conflict. This assignment proves to be just the beginning of a harrowing adventure that will test both ship and crew beyond their limits.

The Fighting Anthonys Series

Part of the acclaimed Lord Anthony Series by Michael Aye, Leopard delivers authentic 18th-century naval warfare combined with compelling character development. The novel captures the maritime traditions, naval tactics, and shipboard life of the British Navy during the American Revolutionary War period.

Multiple Threats Converge

Gabe faces enemy ships from multiple nations as the conflict expands beyond the original British-American confrontation. Spanish vessels add a new dimension to the naval battles, forcing British commanders to adapt their strategies quickly. However, the greatest threat comes not from enemy cannons but from nature itself.

The worst hurricane in recorded history bears down on the Caribbean, threatening to accomplish what no enemy force could achieve: stopping the Fighting Anthonys. The crew of HMS Leopard must battle both human adversaries and the raw power of the Atlantic hurricane season, testing their seamanship and survival skills to the absolute limit.

Authentic Age of Sail Adventure

Michael Aye brings meticulous historical detail to this maritime adventure, from the mechanics of sailing a fifty-gun ship to the complex politics of 18th-century naval warfare. Readers experience the challenges of command, the brotherhood of sailors, and the constant dangers faced by naval officers during this pivotal period in American and British history.

The year is 1780. American privateers who have wreaked havoc among British shipping are now boldly entering British ports. Lord Anthony sets sail with a squadron to deal with the privateers. Gabe has been on the beach for several months, accused of overstepping his authority by an angered admiral who is sent to replace Admiral Buck.

Unbeknownst to the British, Spain has entered the war to aid the Americans. Sailing the crippled Trident to the Antigua dockyards, Gabe comes upon a decimated British convoy. Once in Antigua, the admiral places Gabe in temporary command of HMS Leopard, a fifty-gun ship. His job: To seek out Lord Anthony and alert him of this new enemy. Fighting enemy ships from several countries seems bad enough; yet the worst hurricane in history threatens to do what enemy cannons can't do -- stop the Fighting Anthonys.