The Line of Battle: The Sailing Warship 1650-1840 - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0785812679 ISBN 13: 9780785812678

Publisher: Book Sales, 2000

Synopsis

The Line of Battle: The Sailing Warship 1650-1840

Although purpose-built fighting ships had existed earlier, the principal characteristics of the classic sailing warship were only defined in the mid-seventeenth century, when the emergence of strong central governments, as in Cromwell's Commonwealth or the France of Louis XIV, combined with the novel line-ahead tactics to produce, for the first time, national fleets of reasonably similar line-of-battle ships.
As the battleship became more distinct, the need for a specialized cruising ship became apparent - particularly as warfare became more global - and from this the frigate was born. Gradually during this period, myriad types of crafts were adapted for naval use. The central emphasis of this volume is the increasing specialization of the fleet and the evolution of each ship type, down to the period when the installation of the steam engine sparked another revolution in tactics and technology.
While some naval historians have imparted little relative importance to this era, it will be clear from the chapters that follow that between 1650-1840 the wooden warship became not only larger, better constructed and more powerfully armed, but the very nature of its capabilities was changed dramatically. From being little better than a coastal, summer-only force, the battlefleet and its consorts developed into a powerful and flexible weapon that could be employed in virtually any seas, in all but the heaviest weather, all year round. The worldwide campaigns of the late eighteenth century, or the ceaseless drudgery of blockade duty, were only made possible by enhanced seaworthiness and more rugged contstruction, so with this instrument, sea power became a far more powerful and influential factor in world history.
Lavishly illustrated, this informative reference guide includes over 175 drawings, 35 black-and-white photos and over 25 tables. It is a must for anyone interested in a detailed account of a technology that has shaped human history.

About this title

From the Publisher:

The ship is probably the most influential tool in human history and it continues to exert a widespread and persistent fascination. Conway's HISTORY OF THE SHIP is the first comprehensive and authoritative account of this technological and cultural phenomenon.
An unpreedented line-up of over one hundred leading maritime historians and specialists from around the world has been assembled to ensure that the work is informative, authoritative and fully international in outlook.
Every significant ship type from the dawn of seafaring to the present day is analyzed in detailed and coherent essays. A strict chronological sequence has also been maintained throughout the series.

About the Author:

Brian Lavery is probably the world's leading authority on the sailing fighting ship and is the author of a series of critically acclaimed works, each of which was a major step forward in the understanding of the subject. These include THE SHIP OF THE LINE, THE ARMING AND FITTING OF ENGLISH SHIPS OF WAR, NELSON'S NAVY and BUILDING THE WOODEN WALLS. He is currently Curator of Ship Technology at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England.

About this edition

• Publisher: Book Sales
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0785812679
• ISBN 13: 9780785812678
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208
• Editor: Gardiner Robert, Lavery Brian