The Influence of Naval Captain Charles Austen's North American Experiences on Persuasion and Mansfield Park

THE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIVES of Jane Austen's naval characters sparkle with animation and authenticity. In Persuasion we meet Captain Frederick Wentworth, who has become very wealthy by the capture of naval prize and is known for his great deal of intelligence, spirit and brilliancy (26). In company is his sister, the good-humored Mrs. Croft, who makes a strong impression as the eminently practical naval wife of the likable Rear-Admiral Croft. In Mansfield Park Midshipman William Price delivers spirited narratives, which are proof of ... [his naval] knowledge, energy, courage and cheerfulness (236). These characterizations evince a surprising knowledge of sea-going life for someone who lived deep in the English countryside. So how did Jane Austen come by the information she needed to create these naval figures? One of her most important sources was her Charles, who, as an officer in the British navy during the Napoleonic wars, was stationed in North America for over six years between 1805 and 1811. His naval expertise and exploits cruising the Atlantic Ocean and capturing prize vessels, his love match to the beautiful young Fanny Palmer of Bermuda, and his social and professional life with brother all find echoes in Persuasion and Mansfield Park. What Jane Austen knew about Charles Austen's distant naval world proved to be catalytic when she created her memorable portraits of Captain Wentworth, Admiral and Mrs. Croft, and Midshipman William Price. During the six and a half years he was away from England, Charles was posted to the Royal Navy's North American station, an extensive ocean area that stretched from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Cape Canaveral, Florida. (1) Charles wrote frequently to Jane, and she faithfully replied. Although all but one of Charles's letters home from this period are lost, there is indirect evidence from Jane's letters that he reported regularly to his family about his experiences. (2) For the more public details of his career, the Austen family no doubt consulted the London Gazette, the Naval Chronicle, and Steele's Naval List, publications brimming full of news about naval postings, promotions, and prizes. (3) Given these sources of information, it is a reasonable assumption that Jane and her family were well informed about Charles's naval milieu, his personal and his professional life. Jane was especially fond of her particular little brother, Charles (21 January 1799). She would be keen to know whom he had met, what he was doing, the nature of his disappointments, and the dimensions of his achievements. (4) CHARLES AUSTEN AND PERSUASION'S CAPTAIN FREDERICK WENTWORTH: THE PRIZE MONEY THEME Charles Austen arrived on the North American station in January 1805. He was a keen young naval officer, full of energy and promise. He had recently been commissioned commander of the Indian (18 guns), a new sloop of war then building in Bermuda. Given that the Napoleonic war was still in progress, Charles's service at sea on the Indian, and later on the Swiftsure (74 guns) and the Cleopatra (32 guns), primarily included cruising for trade protection, transporting troops, and searching American ships for British deserters. Although much of this work was routine and even tedious, Charles and his officers were alert to the chances of apprehending vessels as naval prize and excited by the prospect of enriching themselves with prize money. His squadron regularly made chase and sometimes captured privateers, larger armed vessels belonging to France and her allies or neutral vessels carrying trade goods, munitions, or contraband to or from foreign ports. Should the detained vessel prove to be good and lawful prize, and should no successful appeal reverse the initial judgment of the Vice Admiralty court, the capturing captain(s) could expect to receive three eighths share of the prize money. (5) During 1805-1811 Charles and his co-captors brought claims against at least twelve vessels before the Vice Admiralty courts in Halifax and Bermuda. …

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