Fighting at Sea in the Eighteenth Century: The Art of Sailing Warfare - Couverture rigide

Willis, Sam

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 1843833670 ISBN 13 : 9781843833673

Editeur : The Boydell Press, 2008

Synopsis

Fighting at Sea in the Eighteenth Century Naval warfare is vividly brought to life, from first contact through how battles were won and lost, to damage repair. Full description

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur :

Our understanding of warfare at sea in the eighteenth century has always been divorced from the practical realities of fighting at sea under sail; our knowledge of tactics is largely based upon the ideas of contemporary theorists (rather than practitioners) who knew little of the realities of sailing warfare, and our knowledge of command is similarly flawed. In this book the author presents new evidence from contemporary sources that overturns many old assumptions and introduces a host of new ideas. In a series of thematic chapters, following the rough chronology of a sea fight from initial contact to damage repair, the author offers a dramatic interpretation of fighting at sea in the eighteenth century, and explains in greater depth than ever before how and why sea battles (including Trafalgar) were won and lost in the great Age of Sail. He explains in detail how two ships or fleets identified each other to be enemies; how and why they manoeuvred for battle; how a commander communicated his ideas, and how and why his subordinates acted in the way that they did. SAM WILLIS has lectured at Bristol University and at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. He is also the author of Fighting Ships, 1750-1850(Quercus).

Revue de presse :

An insightful analysis of the practical realities of sailing warfare that probes deeply into the technical skills, written and unwritten rules, command and control necessary for the Royal Navy's century of unrivalled success in naval combat. --Nautical Research Journal

As a reference work for what these ships were like, how they handled at sea, and how naval officers sought to capitalize on these material constraints for both offensive and defensive purposes, Fighting at Sea is not likely to be surpassed any time soon. --Journal of British Studies

[A] superbly researched book [which] contains high-quality maps, many excellent illustrations, and an essential glossary, all of which give a better understanding of Willis's argument. --United States Naval Institute

À propos de cette édition

• Éditeur: The Boydell Press
• Date d'édition: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1843833670
• ISBN 13: 9781843833673
• Reliure: Relié
• Numéro d'édition: 1
• Nombre de pages: 272