A Prayer For The Ship

The Modern Naval Fiction Library

by Douglas Reeman

Memories are short of HMS Royston - they have to be. As mother ship to a battered, war-torn bunch of MTBs she must carry out her vital role whatever the conditions, whatever the risks. Sub-Lieutenant Royce's predecessor has only been dead forty-eight hours, and already the crew has forgotten him. Now with only three months' sea-experience behind him, Royce must learn the job the hard way - in the tough school of combat.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Military Fiction, Historical, War, World War II, Adventure

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1958

About the author

AKA Alexander Kent.
Douglas Edward Reeman was a British author who has written many historical fiction books on the Royal Navy, mainly set during either World War II or the Napoleonic Wars.

Reeman joined the Royal Navy in 1940, at the age of 16, and served during World War II and the Korean War. He eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant. In addition to being an author, Reeman has also taught the art of navigation for yachting and served as a technical advisor for films. Douglas married author Kimberley Jordan Reeman in 1985.

Reeman's debut novel, A Prayer for the Ship was published in 1958. His pseudonym Alexander Kent was the name of a friend and naval officer who died during the Second World War. Reeman is most famous for his series of Napoleonic naval stories, whose central character is Richard Bolitho, and, later, his nephew, Adam. He also wrote a series of novels about several generations of the Blackwood family who served in the Royal Marines from the 1850s to the 1970s, and a non-fiction account of his World War II experiences, D-Day : A Personal Reminiscence (1984).

Series:
* Blackwood Family

Reviews

[Chrissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was planning on giving A Prayer for the Ship three stars. Then I reached the end. I no longer felt three was enough: I had come to like the book a lot! I realized I cared for the characters. What happened to them had become important to me.

Secondly, having now read two books by Douglas Reeman I realize that he has taught me about a world of which I had known little before. Through fictional books he writes of his own naval experiences from the Second World War. We learn about ships and how they were used in the war. We learn of frigates, submarines, minesweepers, destroyers and in this book, motor torpedo boats (MTBs). We learn of those in command and the situation of those taking orders. We view the close relationships that develops between members of the crew. Respect, fear and how to cope with comrades lost in battle are themes dealt with. A book looking at naval ship battles need not only be one of adventure, excitement and the “crash, bang boom” of battle. We observe honor, respect and the growth of deep relationship that develop between men put in precarious, life-threatening situations. The entire way of life on a warship is now opened up for me. This is what Reeman’s books have given me.

There is an added love thread which is skillfully handled.

The telling is exciting but also educational—a good mix. Historical events are added.

The book conveys a clear message. The best leaders are those in command who retain their humanity.

David Rintoul narrates the audiobook. He narrates most of Reeman’s books. When excitement mounts, you hear it in his voice. When we are told a voice booms, Rintoul shrieks, and the volume is loud! I found this a bit too exaggerated. He is good at conveying tension. Then he is at his best. You hear the men’s humor—yes, they do also joke with each other. On the whole, I would say the narration is very well done, so I have given it four stars.

I can see reading more books by the author -- off and on. You need space in between them. You do come to recognize a general pattern of how Reeman constructs his plots. Usually there is a love thread. Battles intersperse the tale. There are numerous deaths. Some individuals survive, and they are used to tie together the tale. The provide continuity and an overall sense of resilience and hope.

************************

*A Prayer for the Ship 4 stars
*H.M.S. Saracen 3 stars
*A Ship Must Die TBR
*Go In and Sink! TBR

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best I have read from Douglas Reeman! He is truely a master of telling the World War Two Navy stories. This is one of the most simple but one of his best in understanding the men who thought and died!

[Jason Braida · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and I didn't want it to end. Publsihed in 1958, this was Reeman's first novel set during the Second World War. As a new author he stuck to what he knew...the war waged by motor torpedo boats in the English Channel and North Sea against German convoys, destroyers, and minesweepers. The story and characters are believable so much so that the reader can see the main character interacting with one of his crew one moment, and then discover the same person minutes later dead on the deck with a German machine gun round through his back. The book hammers home the fact that all too often survival in war is dependent upon luck rather than skill or bravery. My only complaint is that the book ended abruptly with no indication as to whether Lt Royce, the main character, survived the war. But then again, I suppose it was unrealistic to expect a happy ending from a book based on the author's first hand experiences written when the memories were still fresh. That being said, I feel like I am somewhat invested in the characters and I want to know what happened. Still...this book covers an aspect of the Second World War that I was not familiar with and that in and of itself made it worth the read.

[Jp Giorgio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Great story for readers who love naval warfare novels. Really draws you into the action with what feels like eyewitness descriptions. A stark reminder of the true suffering of war.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Six-word Review: Started great. Then declined at finish.

This is a story about the men who manned the British version of the PT Boat, the MTB. The MTBs patrolled the seas near England to protect the coastal convoys from Nazi raiders and mines.

The major protagonist, Clive Royce, is a civilian who is trained and commissioned to serve on these boats. He is assigned as a "Number One" which is the second in command. He is a fast learner and becomes quite good at his job. When his skipper is killed, he is assigned as a "Number One" to the leader of the eight-boat flotilla. He is eventually, badly wounded in a confrontation with a Nazi ship and ends up in the hospital for an extended recovery. Upon his release, he is given command of an MTB and awarded a medal for his actions in sinking the Nazi ship.

While the first part of the book is full of action and follows Royce as he matures as an officer. The second half covers mostly his romance with his first skipper's sister, Julia. Quite frankly, a lot of this sub-plot was boring. Perhaps the novel was semi-autobiographical. The author, Douglas Reeman, served on MTBs in WW II.

I enjoyed the first 125 pages or so and moved quickly through the rest of the book. I arrived at my rating by balancing the 4 stars for the first half of the book with two stars for the second half.

[Viva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing with Douglas Reeman's series on WW2 naval fiction. This one has to do with motor torpedo boats, the small highly armed and high speed boats around the coast of England that defended and attacked convoys and the enemy.

The protagonist is Clive Royce and reserve naval officer who starts off as a sub-lieutenant and who is promoted during the book and commands his own MTB. To be honest, most of these protagonists can be interchangeable, all of them courageous and earnest and ready to give their all.

I enjoyed most of it with vignettes of settling in, short operations convoying and attacking the enemy. This could have been made into a short series. I deducted 1 star for the abrupt ending and the gratuitous romance, which by this time I've realized is de rigueur for books written in the 1970's (I'm guessing the date). What gets me is Reeman's fantasy that people fall in love seeing them once or twice. The love interest is pretty much a cardboard cutout with every woman the same, beautiful inside and out. Oh well, on to the next Reeman book.

[Philip Higgins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this was the author's first book, published in 1958 (apparently inspired by a feeling of "I could do better than that" after reading other naval books). We follow a fresh young officer as he joins a Motor Torpedo Boat on patrol in the Second World War. There's the usual convincing detail, martinet bad guy, naval action and tepid romance. Some parts haven't dated well (our hero is worried his beloved will find his gift of a nightdress too racy) but the maritime scenes make up for this.

The plot fizzles out but the raw ingredients are improved upon in later works. If you're looking for straightforward tales of bravery and self-sacrifice then you can't go wrong with an author who drew upon his own wartime experiences. The usual impressive artwork on the cover by Chris Mayger.

[spike marlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read as it opened my eyes to a part of World War II that I was unaware of. This was the use of motor torpedo boats (MTB) for the coastal defence of Great Britain during the war, and their cat-and-mouse game with German convoys and German E-boats running up and down the English Channel. In this short easy read written in 1958, a young green Royal Navy sub-lieutenant is attached to a MTB flotilla and needs to quickly learn the ropes. Although a little formulaic, Clive Royce, through experience and disaster turns into a seasoned veteran of the Channel War. An interesting read.

[David Lowther · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Prayer for the Ship is a small but enthralling story about Motor Torpedo Boats operating on the East Coast in the early part of the Second World War.
As usual, Reeman brings everything together; the sea, the weather, the characters, the action and the locations. The reader is made to feel the cold of the war in A Prayer for the Ship.

David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of ‘39, all published by Sacristy Press.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

British Navy during WWII. This one centers around the Coastal Forces who patrolled the coast of France trying to intercept and torpedo enemy ships, mine layers, and transports. It follows the initial part of the career of Sub-Lieutenant Clive Royce, a newly minted reserve officer. Boring routine is punctuated by harrowing battles. It is exciting and well written and covers a part of the Navy that I was unfamiliar with. The last part of the book is a love story which is not told very well.

[Boulder Boulderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Douglas Reeman's (aka Alexander Kent's) first novel, a story of an officer of the Coastal Forces in WWII. Not a force I'm particularly familiar with so that was new, and interesting. Otherwise, easy to read and enjoyable, but not a novel in the modern sense of having a start a middle and an end, more of a mood piece. Does successfully evoke the mood, however, so you can see why Reeman had such a successful career.

[Geoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. I wanted to read the very first of Reeman’s WWII novels as I’d read a few of his later ones before. A Prayer for the Ship lacked the structure of the later novels and some of the dramatic tension in the characterisation. However, it was interesting to read the seeds of Reeman’s later style.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

These novels are always Good reads. You can practically feel the spray of the water on your face, as the boat maneuvers through battle.

Entertaining and educational at the same time. It's fun reading these World War II novels and being able to "Google" uniforms, boats and equipment.

While there is humor, this is definitely not McHale's Navy.

[Dom Mooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this in the first year of secondary school (Year 7 to you youngsters) and haven't returned to it since. The book tells the tale of a new first officer joining a motor torpedo boat squadron operating on the east coast, and I believe that it draws off the author's experiences. It's very evocative and actually quite hard to put down. It pulls no punches about the impact of the fighting on the men involved (and yes, it is mainly men as the primary female character is pretty much a love interest), and doesn't glorify the war. Gritty, fast paced and believable, I'm glad I came back to it. It showcases the short and brutal lives that the crews of MTBs could expect.

[Stephen Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Rate

This was my first Douglas Reeman novel, many years ago, it was so good i read them all. Now in nostalgia I bought, A Prayer For The Ship again, it still bringswith it, feel of wartime England, and of the near hopelessness of men in small boats fighting each other, and often dying, on a vast uncaring sea, you feel a part of the crew.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found a tatty copy in the library in Tasso Piazza Firenze - I found the novel exciting in the sense it gave a good account (based on Reeman's own experience) of WWII motor torpedo boats etc. The relationship between the hero and his love, is very much of that period.

[Stuart]

It was great to read Reeman’s first novel based on his own naval experience. I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as the one based on the battle for Singapore, and it is certainly formulaic, but I’d like to read the other of his World War novels that Boston has.

[Tom Bourgeois · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is quick and fun read, set in Britain during WW II, on board a Coastal Torpedo Patrol Boat. There is a somewhat implausible love story attached, though maybe not so implausible. Good enough to recommend.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good ,fast paced & action packed WW2 adventure this time featuring the men of the "light coastal forces " & 'MTB's ' in particular .
For me this was Douglas Reeman at his best, I really enjoyed it !

[Gareth Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

And excellent read.
The characters are very well described. With a very good plot.

[Christian J · Rating 5 out of 5]

The yarns given to us by Reeman are the perfect escape. There's adventure a-plenty, a burgeoning love story, and the heroic redemption of lads in peril. What fun!

[James Merritt · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting history lesson. great battle scenes

[Mr J.M. Larkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally believable

Being the first one he wrote .i found it less formulaic than others of the later books and thus in my opinion a much better story all round.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun fast read.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small, quick-moving torpedo boats played a vital role in protecting the Allied convoys in the English Channel and the North Sea during World War II, and Sub-Lieutenant Clive Royce is newly assigned to MTB 1991, joining a crew already seasoned by death and fear. Now it is up to him to take the place of their dead first lieutenant and earn the respect of his captain and crewmates.

Review

"Vivid naval action at its most authentic." -- Sunday Times of London

About the Author

Douglas Edward Reeman, who also writes under the name Alexander Kent, joined the British Navy at 16, serving on destroyers and small craft during World War II, eventually rising to the rank of lieutenant. He has taught navigation to yachtsmen and has served as a script adviser for television and films. As Alexander Kent, Reeman is the author of the best-selling Richard Bolitho Novels. His books have been translated into nearly two dozen languages.

[Nigel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read a few of Reeman’s naval warfare stories over the years I decided to read them from the beginning, starting with the standalone novels. A Prayer for the Ship is easy to read fast paced WWII Naval adventure. It focuses on Clive Royce who as raw Sub Lieutenant assigned to the Coastal Defence Force’s MTB flotilla. Their aim is to help defend the Chanel and North Sea from German raiders. The story follows his up and downs, his struggles when a new squadron commander is appointed, who being regular Royal Navy treats the conscripts that make up the crew with disdain. We see him battle back against injuries and his experiencing love for the first time.
Up next High Water – here’s hoping it’s just as good.

[Marcus · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit disapointed by this one, as it turned out to be filled with tad too many cliches and stereotypical plot elements. Also, the romantic side-plot felt both unnecessary and naive. The saving grace of this volume are the 'maritime' parts, where author draws on his personal experiences and succeeds in painting a vivid picture of grim realities of service on MTB:s in the middle of the war.

Overall, not a bad for first effort of this author. There is enough substance there for me to pick up another one of his books.

[Robert Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

During World War 2 the small Motor Torpedo Boats (MTB) of the Royal Navy relied on speed maneuverability and a diminutive size to avoid being blown out of the water. A Prayer for the Ship reflects all of that and more. Douglas Reeman's genius is to bring to vivid life the crew of an MTB and the challenges they face when patrolling off the East Coast at an early stage of the war. feel the fear, excitement, and hot anticipation as the MTB repeatedly brushes with death. A truly remarkable piece of fiction.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

c1958. Admittedly, I love Mr Reeman's books so I am biased before I even open the covers of one of his books. The heroes are always so stoic yet human. This was the first of his books covering the Second World War and was based partly on his own experiences in the conflict. Perhaps that is why he is able to convey the emotions so clearly. '"Now let me see. You're twenty years old, been commissioned three months. Sea experience, three months in an asdic trawler."'

[Geoff Woodland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second time around for this book, written fifty six years ago, and first read twenty years ago, and still fresh and exciting. Mr Reeman writes entertaining, and easy to read stories. Having read 23 of his books, plus those under his non de plume of Alexander Kent, is it any wonder his sales run in to the millions. Slowly working my way through all of his books a second time, an enjoyable exercise.