Philip K. Allan's Clay and the River of Silver

Clay and the River of Silver by Philip K. Allan

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Following the Battle of Trafalgar, Britain rules the seas and the Admiralty believes the time has come to take the war to the enemy. Captain Sir Alexander Clay suggests taking the Cape of Good Hope from the Dutch, but his plan requires an amphibious attack with the army taking the lead. The squadron commander for this worthy idea will be Captain Home Riggs Popham. Normally, he would be given the honorary rank of commodore, but the Admiralty refuses to do so. They’re wary of Popham and his penchant for recklessness and self-aggrandizing. Clay is to serve as his deputy to rein in those proclivities.

Before leaving England, Popham and Nicholas Vansittart, a diplomat, meet with a gentleman from South America. He represents a group of patriots within the Viceroyalty de la Plata who seek assistance in their bid for freedom from Spain. He tempts the two Englishmen with a large quantity of silver currently awaiting shipment to Spain. The venture entices both men for different reasons, but the cabinet never promises to support the rebels. Still, Popham is not opposed to exploring the venture after the Cape of Good Hope is under British rule. Vansittart’s only reservations involve the diplomatic angles such intrusion may impose and he doubts Clay will be amenable to the whole affair.

Nor does Popham take the Admiralty’s neglect in elevating him to commodore well. It causes friction between him and Clay, and he’s jealous of Clay’s successes and close connections with the First Lord. Still, they must work together, first in southern Africa and then in Argentina. Eventually, Popham’s objectives diverge from everyone else’s and Clay and his men, as well as the army, pay the dearest prices.

Some readers may find this ninth offering in the Alexander Clay series less interesting than previous naval episodes in the Napoleonic Wars. I fall into this category, and this is not the first historical novel I’ve read that portrays these incidents. What intrigues me is the contrast between Allan’s portrayal with his series’ characters and Julian Stockwin’s with his in Betrayal. Thomas Kydd plays a more central role throughout and has a personal stake in his relationship with Popham. Alexander Clay stays mostly on the periphery, and Allan is clearer in how the different events unfold. He also provides more from the army’s perspective than the navy. Having read both versions, I find that the two combined give a unique and greater understanding of why and how these historic events unfolded. When Clay and his men are front and center, the scenes are riveting. Episodes within Clay and the River of Silver have parallels relevant to situations in today’s world.

(Review originally appeared at Pirates and Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/Allan.html...)



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