In terms of novels, there are numerous series covering this period, all of whom centre on the career of a prticular fictional character. I would recommend the Patrick O'Brian novels about Jack Aubrey, and/or the Richard Woodman series about Nathaniel Drinkwater. Any further discussion of novels needs to go to Library :-)

In terms of nonfiction, the best overall book I know is NAM Rodger's The Command of the Ocean: a naval history of Britain 1649 - 1815. A smaller and quicker read, focussing specifically on frigates is J Henderson The Frigates. I very much like two books by Tom Wareham Frigate Commander which I referred to in a post a few days ago, and which is based on the private journals of such a Captain, and The Star Captains which examines in detail the lives of a sample of frigate captains during the Wars.

There are lots of books out there - if you look any of these up on amazon you will get recommendations for others. In particular there are several wich are 'companions' to the Patrick O'Brian series, and they might be a good place to start.

For the first hand perspective of a woman living with her husband on board ship, there is The Wynn Diaries - the diary of Betsey Fremantle nee Wynne, who married one of Nelson's captains, Thomas Fremantle, and lived with him on board his shipp in the mediterrenean. Unfortunately this is currently out of print and, although secondhand copies do turn up on amazon there are none there at present.

In terms of museums, the Trincomalee is open to the public in the historic dock at Hartlepool. I think she is wonderful and the best way to get a handle on what Wentworth's life would have been like. You can wander around her as much and as long as you like.

The Unicorn , in Dundee, is a frigate of the same class as Trincomalee, although she was built a little later the end of the wars. I have not yet visited her.

There is also the Victory in Portsmouth and more than worth a visit - she is a very big ship and will give you a sense of what it would have been like on one of the big ships of the line. She is always quite busy, but you can see pretty much all of her. Finally, the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich is well worth a visit