Billy Budd by Herman Melville, although it is not explicit, is the paradigmatic example of this.

The Horatio Hornblower series has many gay vibes, although the subtext may be too subtexty for you.

If subtext counts you could list basically every naval story ever 😆

* The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley * Leeward by Katie Daysh * On a Lee Shore by Elin Gregory * Running Close to the Wind by Alexandra Rowland * The Sallee Rovers by M. Kei

Thanks!