Slight loss of bearings

As one of the thousands of readers bereft by the death of Patrick O'Brian, may I add to WL Webb's obituary (January 8) a fact that was also missing from a television documentary: apart from his great characters, Aubrey and Maturin, O'Brian also created a range of fascinating women.
Mary Benson

• WL Webb wrote a handsome obituary for Patrick O'Brian; but I feel Jack Aubrey would have been very annoyed at the final paragraph. " 'Ushant somewhere away on the starboard bow, the Scillies to larboard,' bound for heaven knows where..."

Given the bearings quoted, they were sailing east up the Channel. I suspect Jack would have had Plymouth or Portsmouth in mind, and the doctor would have been fully aware of what was intended.
John S Preston
Winchester, Hants
jspreston@winchester126. freeserve.co.uk

London maryb@langfordcourt. demon.co.uk