COUNTDOWN DAY 2 to the 150th anniversary of the famous Battle of Lissa, and a chance to win a signed copy of the book about the ship’s surgeon who was there.

Nearby the enemy flagship Re d’Italia had stopped in the water. Tegetthoff charged full speed ahead, and with an almighty crunch the Ferdinand Max hit her amidships. Her iron sides

gave way, her tall masts toppled, she sank in a whirlpool of spars, ropes, canvas, metal, blood and men. Before the loss was fully registered a massive burst of flame and roar of explosion overwhelmed all other noise of battle — the Italian ironclad Palestro had blown up. Austria claimed its victory, sailing into the harbour of Lissa.

For a chance to win a copy of The Extraordinary Dr Epstein, answer the quiz question on Wednesday 20 July 2016.

Excerpt from Chapter 20, Battle. Ephraim’s epic poem about the battle won him an award from Emperor Franz Joseph. Author great granddaughter still seeks that poem! Go HERE for a non-fiction page on the famouse Battle of Lissa, why it was fought, what else it is famous for and what happened next.