The plot of the show starts with Hornblower being a junior Royal Navy Captain in Napoleonic times. He was sent in Central America on a secret mission. There, he reminisces the times when he was still a seasick and hopeless midshipman. As the story goes on, Hornblower gains promotion regardless of the fact that he lacks the resources and influential connections.This is because he used his skills and daring character. After overcoming lots of obstacles set in different lands with different tongues, Hornblower achieved the highest achievement one can get in his profession-- he became Rear Admiral of the Red Squadron, and later on he was known to be the 1st Baron Hornblower.