Ira Dye is the author of Uriah Levy: Reformer of the Antebellum Navy and has written numerous articles and stories on naval history for various publications. He served in the Navy and retired as captain in 1967.
By its title, this book is to some extent sailing under false colors. Although its climax is the commerce-raiding cruise and eventual capture of the U.S. brig Argus during the War of 1812, its total coverage is vastly greater. It is essentially a biography of two captains--the American William Henry Allen and his British opponent, John Fordyce Maples--and their two ships, crews, and problems both professional and personal. In fact, it is a microcosmic portrait--thoroughly researched and very well written by retired naval officer and active yachtsman Dye--of the golden age of naval warfare under sail. Lovers of Napoleonic naval fiction, from the novels of Captain Marryat up to those of the currently popular Patrick O'Brian, will find a feast in the book, and it makes a worthwhile addition to serious naval history collections, too." -- Booklist
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