The Northern Blockade

May, 1916. The First World War is raging and Lieutenant Charles Dollimore is serving on HMS Warspite with the Home Fleet. He wants to make his new son, Philip, proud when he is old enough to ask, ‘What did you do during the war?’ Then the Warspite’s squadron runs into the German High Sea Fleet off Jutland.Witnessing the violence and the death haunts Dollimore. Many years later, war looms once again. Suffering from memories of Jutland, Dollimore makes an error in judgment that results in the loss of fellow sailors. He is discreetly sent to serve out of the way on the China Station. As the Second World War about to break out, Dollimore is looking for vindication and serving in China is not going to do it.Some at the Admiralty are not convinced he can serve, but he is given the benefit of the doubt and command of HMS Burscombe, one of the most powerful cruisers in the Home Fleet. After all, he was at Jutland. For over two hundred years the Clark family has been producing successful officers for the Royal Navy. Rear-Admiral Harper Clark is well respected at work but his family life is another matter. His youngest son David has no interest in serving but Harper will not stand for that, not with war coming. David is also in love with Maggie, a girl from the village. Thinking that love is greater than the barriers of class, they make their feelings known, opening up a past history of hate between the families. When David’s sister, Patricia, is dealt a serious blow by the fortunes of war, she adds fuel to the fire by claiming David is not a Clark at all, but the product of their mother’s affairs. It is time for him to face his father and get answers, but what is the Old Man’s true agenda?Meanwhile, the war machine gears up. Home Fleet exercises are being run and an economic blockade of Germany is planned as the winds of war whirl. Seeking out the enemy on the turbulent seas, some men will prove themselves; some will barely hang on to past glories – and when the real battles begin, Jerry does a lot more damage than anticipated. Reminiscent of Herman Wouk’s The Winds of War, The Northern Blockade is a story of the human impact of war, and the actions that leaves scars deeper than skin. M.C. Smith is a tour guide aboard HMS Belfast in London. He is also an associate member of the HMS Belfast Association and a volunteer at TS Constant (Sea Cadet Corps).