La "Surprise" (Aubrey/Maturin Book 3)

The book captures both the thrill and the hardships of sailing, but I'm curious what inspired the detailed portrayal of shipboard daily routines.

The bonds between the crew felt so genuine, but I wonder if that was intentional or a happy coincidence of storytelling.

That era adds such a rich backdrop of conflict and diplomacy—did the author have a particular interest in this period or specific historical events?