Patrick O'Brian · 1956 · global

A young Irish midshipman, Peter Palafox, sails with Commodore Anson's squadron on the voyage of 1740; ravaged by storm and scurvy rounding Cape Horn, the survivors cross the Pacific to seize the great Manila treasure galleon before carrying its silver home to England, the whole world sailed around.

1. 1
   Portsmouth

   Where Anson's squadron sails in 1740 with the young Irishman Peter Palafox aboard, bound to harry Spain in the South Sea.

2. 2
   Madeira

   The first landfall, taking on wine and water before the long Atlantic run south.

3. 3
   St Catherine's Island

   The Brazilian anchorage where the storm-worn squadron refits before attempting the Horn.

4. 4
   Cape Horn

   The dreaded passage, where months of tempest and mounting scurvy scatter and cripple the squadron.

5. 5
   Juan Fernandez

   The Pacific island of rendezvous, where the shattered remnant gathers and the sick are landed to recover.

6. 6
   Paita

   The Peruvian port stormed and burned for its plunder as the Centurion cruises the Spanish coast.

7. 7
   Tinian

   The green Marianas island where the scurvy-ridden crew, near death, are nursed back to health.

8. 8
   Macao

   The Chinese port where the Centurion refits before setting a trap for the treasure ship.

9. 9
   Cape Espiritu Santo

   Off the Philippines, where Anson takes the great Manila galleon and its cargo of silver, the prize of the whole voyage.

10. 10
    Cape of Good Hope

    The homeward turn around Africa, the ship laden with Spanish treasure.

11. 11
    Portsmouth

    Home at last, the silver carried in triumph through London, one of only a handful of ships to survive the circumnavigation.