It is 1792, over ten years Since Britain's defeat by the American colonies, and the bitter humiliation still sticks in The Admiralty's craw. Now brutal smugglers, many of them naval deserters, occupy the channel, plying ...It is 1792, over ten years Since Britain's defeat by the American colonies, and the bitter humiliation still sticks in The Admiralty's craw. Now brutal smugglers, many of them naval deserters, occupy the channel, plying their trade between England and France.