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March 1808: Napoleon is holding Portugal and now threatens his old ally, Spain. Vice-Admiral Richard Bolitho, estranged from his wife and child and increasingly troubled with his sight, is ordered once more to South Africa to help establish a permanent naval force. However, on a reef off the African coast, disaster strikes the crew of the Golden Plover and Bolitho and the survivors have to summon up all their reserves of hope and courage.