Brown is the coxswain. In the latter half of the novel, Hornblower selects Brown to assemble the crew used on the swimming raid, whose goal was to burn a French coaster. His performance so impresses Hornblower that he later has Brown throw a towline to the disabled Pluto. Hornblower admires Brown's easy competence at any physical task, and he is envious of his physique.
Ship of the Line