Huddled at the stern is a pale-faced seventeen-year-old making his maiden voyage to a career in the Royal Navy.

Soaked to the skin in his ill-fitting uniform, doctor�s son Horatio Hornblower, steps aboard his first ship, HMS Justinian, and becomes infamous as the midshipman who was seasick in Spithead. This shy, stuttering seaman is set to become the most gallant and redoubtable figure in naval history. But his peers are wary of his intelligence, and malicious Midshipman Jack Simpson adds the new recruit to his list of targets.

In the Midshipmen�s mess Hornblower comes face to face with the belligerent Jack Simpson just returned from serving as acting lieutenant, but rejected for the full commission. He steals food from Hornblower�s plate, and swigs his drink. Naively Hornblower challenges him, and tries to quote naval regulations. But Simpson makes it quite clear who is in charge, and instructs Midshipman Kennedy to wake Hornblower every hour through the night to teach him a lesson.

In a navigation class Hornblower is the only successful midshipman, and receives a glowing report from Captain Keene, to the fury of tyrant Jack Simpson.

Later that evening Simpson decides the Captain�s favourite should be subjected to the Proceedings of the Inquisition. Hornblower is pinned down on a table, and interrogated and tortured by Simpson. Hornblower pretends to his superiors that his injuries are due to an accidental fall.

Hornblower�s spirits sink as Simpson continues to goad him. The letters he writes home to his father reveal none of the misery on board. He assures him that life on the ocean wave is good, and he is with a fine body of men. He says is very happy.

When Simpson accuses Hornblower of cheating at cards, Hornblower snaps and challenges Simpson to a duel to settle their differences once and for all. The other men think Horatio is mad, they know Simpson is the best shot in the navy�

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