Peter Simple, 'the fool of the family', son of a parson but heir presumptive to a title, goes to sea as midshipman during the Napoleonic wars. Naturally, at sea in this period is where adventures are just waiting for a lad like Peter, and so he does stumble from one into the next. Of particular note is also the colourful group of supporting characters he meets on board and on shore. - Summary by Carolin