Admiral Pellew interrupts Hornblower's wedding reception and tasks him to locate a British ship which has disappeared off the French coast, where Napoleon's troops are engaged in covert activities.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Ioan GruffuddCommander Horatio Hornblower | Commander Horatio Hornblower |
 Robert LindsayAdmiral Sir Edward Pellew | Admiral Sir Edward Pellew |
 Paul McGannLieutenant Bush | Lieutenant Bush |
 Ron CookSteward James Doughty | Steward James Doughty |
 Lorcan CranitchWolfe | Wolfe |
 Tony HaygarthProwse | Prowse |
 Julia SawalhaMaria Hornblower | Maria Hornblower |
 Barbara FlynnMrs. Mason | Mrs. Mason |
 Paul CopleyMatthews | Matthews |
 Sean GilderStyles | Styles |
 Jonathan CoyCaptain Bracegirdie | Captain Bracegirdie |
 Jim CarterEtheridge | Etheridge |
 Jonathan ForbesOrrock | Orrock |