The war was going poorly for the US Navy in 1814. Despite some early successes in single-ship engagements, Britain's Royal Navy ruled the waters off the American coast. All the major ports were closed by British blockade squadrons, and the British Army captured and burned the capitol city of Washington. Even in this darkest hour, there is a glimmer of hope. Two new warships are about to take to the seas for the Americans, the 44-gun frigate Columbia and the sloop of war Argus. To command them, the navy turns to its most experienced officer, Captain Hezekiah Albritton. Albritton is ordered to go to sea and raid the British sea lanes, but he has many obstacles to overcome. Not only is America short on supplies for her warships, but the Captain also has to deal with a Commander on Argus with a questionable past and a first lieutenant with ideas of his own about running a ship! Albritton is the best the Americans have, and USS Columbia is the first of an improved Constitution-class type of frigate. Together, they are exactly what the British fear most from the US Navy, and The American Captain proves it.