# Aubrey vs. Hornblower **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 8, 2013, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aubrey-vs-hornblower/668296 "2013-09-08T00:40:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aubrey-vs-hornblower/668296/41 "2013-09-11T16:44:05Z")
[Those are totally wicked!!!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiWg7L0NJYU) ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aubrey-vs-hornblower/668296/42 "2013-09-11T22:51:03Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > Hell, Aubrey could reduce Hornblower to a quivering jelly just by playing his violin for him. But Hornblower would clobber Aubrey at whist. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2013, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aubrey-vs-hornblower/668296/43 "2013-09-11T23:34:57Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > Hell, Aubrey could reduce Hornblower to a quivering jelly just by playing his violin for him. Aubrey’s scraping would do naught but fall on Hornblower’s tone-deaf ears. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aubrey-vs-hornblower/668296/44 "2013-09-12T01:25:22Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > Aubrey’s scraping would do naught but fall on Hornblower’s tone-deaf ears. Music is painfull to Hornblower. And Jack believes that whist is a game for Frenchmen and faggots. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aubrey-vs-hornblower/668296/45 "2013-09-12T03:29:52Z")
Damn me, Sir, there are other [message boards!](http://www.historicnavalfiction.net/t486-hornblower-vs-jack-aubrey) Cross my hawse and I’ll fire on you! Damn, I will! ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aubrey-vs-hornblower/668296/46 "2013-09-12T05:13:58Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > . . . Cross my hawse and I’ll fire on you! Damn, I will! Some of us are capable of crossing our own hawses. And I will, too, as soon as I’ve found out who stole the strawberries. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aubrey-vs-hornblower/668296/47 "2013-09-12T11:55:13Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Some of us are capable of crossing our own hawses. And I will, too, as soon as I’ve found out who stole the strawberries. 'Kay. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aubrey-vs-hornblower/668296/48 "2013-09-12T13:45:57Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Some of us are capable of crossing our own hawses. And I will, too, as soon as I’ve found out who stole the strawberries. The key is the Key! Look for the key! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aubrey-vs-hornblower/668296/49 "2013-09-12T14:31:00Z")
> [@mlees](#): > > The key is the Key! Look for the key! I did not join His Majesty’s Navy to listen to your lame excuses, Mister mlees! ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aubrey-vs-hornblower/668296/50 "2013-09-12T20:19:27Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > 'Kay. > [@mlees](#): > > The key is the Key! Look for the key! It’s Key Cay, off Biscayne, part of the Bright Bight. I’m not current on the currents… ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aubrey-vs-hornblower/668296/51 "2013-09-13T05:14:41Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > He [Aubrey] also spent large amounts of his personal fortune insuring that every one of his crews was fast and deadly with the guns. Is this ever mentioned about HH? Or was it just assumed that any crew he took over instantly became proficient? Far from it. In fact, it’s mentioned on more than one occasion that Hornblower, because of his poverty, can’t buy the extras for the crew that wealthier captains do. He has to make do by force of personality alone, coupled with his abilities, to train his crews. The _Atropos_ crew is particularly bad to start with, as others have noted. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aubrey-vs-hornblower/668296/52 "2013-09-13T11:44:15Z")
From the first chapter of The Happy Return - > [@](#): > > In the forenoon watch he would clear for action ard practise the men at the guns, five rounds from each. The concussion might kill the wind for a space, but that could not be helped. It would be the last opportunity, perhaps, before the guns would be in action in earnest. It comes out of a passage where Hornblower’s contemplating how to keep the men busy to forestall mutiny, and it goes on to have him working on the problem of how to stow everything in such a was as to maintain the balance and speed of the ship. Nevertheless, there’s at least one passage where he exercises the guns to maintain their skills. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aubrey-vs-hornblower/668296/53 "2013-09-13T12:02:22Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > One of my patrons at the library claimed that he wrote Forester and asked about a maneuver. Supposedly Forester wrote back and sent him a diagram. I could do with a few of those diagrams myself. > 🙂 See if you can get your hands on a copy of _The Hornblower Companion_, which holds many of those diagrams. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aubrey-vs-hornblower/668296/54 "2013-09-13T13:19:31Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > From the first chapter of The Happy Return - > > It comes out of a passage where Hornblower’s contemplating how to keep the men busy to forestall mutiny, and it goes on to have him working on the problem of how to stow everything in such a was as to maintain the balance and speed of the ship. Nevertheless, there’s at least one passage where he exercises the guns to maintain their skills. True, but the Navy Board in their infinite wisdom gives a very small allowance of practice ammunition, so even the most penurious captain can get some live fire exercises in. But prosperous captains like Jack buy their own powder and shot to increase the amount of practice fire. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aubrey-vs-hornblower/668296/55 "2013-09-13T13:30:38Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > But prosperous captains like Jack buy their own powder and shot to increase the amount of practice fire. From a bankrupt fireworks factory. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Goob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@Mr.Goob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Goob)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aubrey-vs-hornblower/668296/56 "2013-09-13T13:58:00Z")
Hornblower is anylitical almost Sherlock Holmes like. Plays whist to earn money as a scientific exercise, but derives little if any joy from the game or the company of others. Aubrey is a musician, lover of food and women and wit (poor wit and puns I grant, but derives great pleasure from them.) Practices his craft with joy. Seamanship from 2 different outlooks. One sees every advantage, the other feels it. I can’t decide what’s better. My heart goes with Aubrey. Nelson is held up as a hero, I’ve always felt his tactics at Tralfalgar of crossing the enemy line was more an act of dash and cunning than a dry plot. Hornblowers’ early years he was under the wing of Admiral Pellew. Aubrey was under the thumb of Admiral Harte. Unfair advantage to Hornblower. Aubrey had to work harder. My favorite example of their differences, how to escape France when captured? Hornblower slinks away in a canoe. Aubrey walks out and across Spain dressed as a bear. Winner- Aubrey. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aubrey-vs-hornblower/668296/57 "2013-09-13T14:12:44Z")
The difference between the two is that, as fictional creations, Hornblower was the established figure. Aubrey was created in the shadow of Hornblower and, while they are obviously very similar in many ways (both based on the same set of inspirations), Aubrey sometimes seems almost to have been created as an anti-Hornblower in the details. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aubrey-vs-hornblower/668296/58 "2013-09-13T14:15:45Z")
> [@Mr.Goob](#): > > Plays whist to earn money as a scientific exercise, but derives little if any joy from the game or the company of others. He enjoys playing whist with Lady Barbara. I believe he enjoys playing with other good players as well, though I cannot come up with a cite. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aubrey-vs-hornblower/668296/59 "2013-09-13T20:59:11Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > See if you can get your hands on a copy of _The Hornblower Companion_, which holds many of those diagrams. . . . And also answers the question, was Captain Sawyer pushed? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aubrey-vs-hornblower/668296/60 "2013-09-13T22:34:47Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > And also answers the question, was Captain Sawyer pushed? I’ve always thought that the Midshipman or Lieutenant that was killed after the crew is transferred pushed Sawyer. Why mention the poor guy’s death otherwise? He or Hornblower. I want a contest between Potwheal and Killick, too. Should it be toasted cheese making, coffee brewing or fisticuffs? Somehow I do not think Killick would fight fairly. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aubrey-vs-hornblower/668296.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aubrey-vs-hornblower/668296.md?page=4)