An innovative study of naval women who stayed at home while their men went to sea. Focusing on the second half of the 18th century, a period when Britain was almost continuously at war, this book looks at different social groups, from the aristocratic elite to the labouring and criminal poor, prostitutes and petty thieves.

Having fled to Seattle to weather a broken heart, Lindy Kyle was unprepared for a roommate like Rush Callaghan. Strong, sensitive and sexy, the temporarily dry–docked naval officer was everything she'd ever dreamed of in a man...in a husband. But Rush was also a man who placed duty to his country above all else. Though he and Lindy were swept away on a tide of passion, his true mistress was the sea. Lindy would have to prove she had the stamina to be his ideal first mate...the courage to be his wife.

Well, it is official. I am the other woman. I am the woman everyone hates. The woman that you hide from your man. I am the other woman. He is married. Worst of all, not only am I the other woman. I'm his ex. He hides me from his wife. We can only communicate through snap chat when she is around because it goes away. We talk about being together. But he doesn't know if he wants to leave her for me. I am the other woman. I wait for a taken man, and I may ruin a marriage. I'm a horrible person. But I love him. And I feel bad for not feeling bad.

This book explores the ways in which mid-19th Century American army officers' wives used material culture to confirm their status as middle-class women.

Stark thoroughly investigates the custom of allowing prostitutes to live with the crews of warships in port. She provides some judicious answers to questions about what led so many women to such an appalling fate and why the Royal Navy unofficially condoned the practice.