He is first mentioned in the book Hornblower and the "Hotspur" when Mr. Orrock has no powder horns in his division. Orrock comes from the Naval College and Hornblower was not particularly impressed with him at first. In the book, Orrock is sent aloft to see the shipping coming out of Brest and reported quite well. They combined the character of Orrock and Cargill from the books, which is especially evident when Hornblower does the tricky tacking maneuver and Orrock is ordered to the jib. In the book, Orrock is often sent aloft to have a look and report back, including in freezing weather. Orrock is always quick about the signals in the book, which was reflected, though in different circumstances, in the movie.
In the miniseries, he is introduced along with Mr. Hammond as the two midshipmen on board. He is clearly Irish, but fiercely loyal to the crown nonetheless and a hard worker with quick wits. He takes to his duties well, unlike his fellow midshipman. The men seem to admire him from the start, and he gains Hornblower's trust. As a result he is chosen to head difficult operations that Hornblower needs a good man for, such as the jib or the lights.
Orrock is a part of the group that attacks the semaphore post and is captured when another Irishman, Wolf, betrays them. They find themselves locked up in a cellar in irons, but fortunately there were blocks and tackle also stored there. They rig up to haul and sway the irons off and escape, only to find that the attack on the fort that was so crucial to the overall plan had failed. Weaponless and with only about a dozen men, Hornblower is still determined to attack the battery and save the fleet. He turns to Orrock to find the midshipman had brought a block and tackle with him from the supply room. "Good man!" Hornblower tells Orrock, and they use it to get through one of the small doors into the battery. Fighting their way up the stairs, they reach one of the towers and take out the guns, then blow up the entire battery. Orrock and the few men that are left hobble along the beach only to find themselves face to face with a large group of French Soldiers lead by an Irish traitor-- Captain Hammond. Although offered his life because he is Irish, Orrock refuses and stands with Hornblower to be shot. At the last moment, Lieutenant Bush, Jack Hammond and others from the Hotspur dash to their rescue. Orrock enthusiastically joins in the fight, though he is almost beaten down by Captain Hammond in a sword fight. Fortunately, the old gentleman still does not want to kill an Irish lad and lets him go, fighting Hornblower instead. The French and their Irish allies are routed.
A short time later, when Hornblower marries Maria, Orrock helps lead some of the sailors in the post-wedding ceremony and has a good time at the inn with them later. He is the one that speaks with Pellew who arrives at the wedding breakfast to give Hornblower new orders. They set sail to find the missing Grasshopper, and after picking up some stray Americans, they discover her grounded in a small bay. Orrock goes ashore with the others and has command of the marines and sailors while Hornblower and Bush go to investigate. They are soon under fire and Orrock is with Hornblower when they find Captain Bracegirdle of the Grasshopper. They barely make it back to the ship and that night the French attack them lead by Wolf. It turns out he is after their passengers who are none other than Bonaparte's brother and his American wife. Orrock fights bravely on deck, taking out several French boarders and with full foul weather gear hampering him.
They decide to go to the inlet again to investigate some strange goings on. Orrock is left with command of the ship and puts the Bonapartes on rations to improve the sailors' moralle. When they return to Portsmouth, he is trapped on the ship when it is quarantined as the crew grow more and more restless. He and Bush have a difficult time keeping things under control, particularly being within sight of shore and it being almost Christmas. Finally they are allowed to set sail again. Orrock is left in command once more as Bush and Hornblower go ashore. Whey they return, the Hotspur goes round to the mouth of the bay and Orrock is put in charge of the leadline. He relays the findings of Styles to the other officers until Bush puts him in charge of matching the lights of the French ships to confuse them. He goes aloft and uncovers them when Hornblower gives the order and continues to report on the movement of the other ships. He returns with the others to Portsmouth after their mission is accomplished.
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Written & Screencaps By Zimrahil.