The year is 1996 and a young Nuclear Physicist accidently discovers how to travel in time. Having an interest in the 'Days of Fighting Sail', he goes back in time to the year 1796 where he is unexpectedly press ganged aboard a Royal Navy frigate bound for blockade duty in the Bay of Biscay.

He realises that having a modern education is of little use back in the eighteenth-century and so he has to relearn everything he knew about polite interaction, culture and the English language. He learns these new skills and lifestyle amongst his new shipmates until he can get the opportunity to return back to his own time. Before he does, he is able to create history as his ship battles against great odds. His knowledge of historic naval battles of the 18th century saves his life as well as those of his ship's crew. Without his input history as he read it would not happen.