The Investigators — Anthony Hill

A novel of high adventure, exploration, shipwreck and survival, based on the life of Matthew Flinders’ cousin, fifteen-year-old midshipman John Franklin, by the award-winning author of Soldier Boy. ‘Our discoveries have been great, but the risks and misfortunes many.’ John Franklin always wanted to be a sailor. As a volunteer in the Royal Navy at age fourteen, he found himself in the Battle of Copenhagan, but nothing could prepare him for the adventure of a lifetime, when he set off in 1801 with his cousin Matthew Flinders on HMS Investigator as it sought to chart the first circumnavigation of Australia. Taking on responsibility for the chronometers, under the jealous eye of Flinders’ younger brother, the young midshipman found all the action, adventure and excitement he’ d hoped for in his new life at sea. It inspired him to become one of the great navigators and explorers of the 19th century. However, he wasn’ t quite so prepared for the other challenges that life onboard had in store – the rivalries with fellow shipmates, the shortages of food, and the harsh realities of what they encountered in the colonies.