You know, I think maybe an Age of Sail obsession makes a person inherently gay friendly. PO'B was apparently fairly relaxed about homosexuality - I mean, look at all those conversations between Jack and Stephen about buggery - surprisingly so, given his age and all.

And this makes me wonder, in a rambling way: I assume much of the detail in O'Brian's books is based on historical research, so is Jack and Stephen's relaxed attitude toward homosexuality based on this research as well as O'Brians own personal opinions? I guess I could do some reading and try to find out.