At the center of the novel is the touching story of a long-standing friendship between two admirals—Jeweverz Oakes and Dick Bluewater. Their relationship intertwines with another storyline: the struggle over an inheritance left by the old baronet Vicherli Vichecomb. To some degree, not only both admirals but most of the other characters in the novel become unwillingly involved in the lawsuit. In “Two Admirals,” Cooper proves himself not only as a master of an absorbing plot that keeps the reader on edge, but also as a mature marine painter and battle artist.