Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World around Cape Horn is taken from the novel "Desolation Island", although the "Acheron" replaced the Dutch 74-gun warship "Waakzaamheid", the "Surprise" replaced the "Leopard", and in the book it is Aubrey who is being pursued around the Cape of Good Hope. The episode in which Aubrey deceives the enemy by means of a raft bearing lanterns is taken from "Master and Commander", and the episode in which Maturin directs the surgery on himself, while gritting his teeth in pain, to remove a bullet is taken from "HMS Surprise". Other incidents in the film come from other books in O'Brian's series.
Master of the fleet rank of captain, while masters who had served at least 15 years were given the new rank of "staff commander" and ranked after commander. During the First World War the title was revived for the Grand Fleet's senior Navigation Officer. The title has been used outside the Royal Navy, such as in "Ultramarines" and other science fiction, and for the captain of the "Belle of Louisville". Master of the fleet In the Royal Navy, the rank of master of the fleet denoted the sailing master of a fleet flagship, or the senior sailing master in a fleet. Examples include John