Fighting at Sea in the Eighteenth Century: The Art of Sailing Warfare
Naval warfare is vividly brought to life, from first contact through how battles were won and lost to damage repair.

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 inthe 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.
1008818345
Fighting at Sea in the Eighteenth Century: The Art of Sailing Warfare
Naval warfare is vividly brought to life, from first contact through how battles were won and lost to damage repair.

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 inthe 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.
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Fighting at Sea in the Eighteenth Century: The Art of Sailing Warfare

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

by Sam Willis
Fighting at Sea in the Eighteenth Century: The Art of Sailing Warfare

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

by Sam Willis

Hardcover

$75.00 
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Overview

Naval warfare is vividly brought to life, from first contact through how battles were won and lost to damage repair.

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 inthe 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781843833673
Publisher: BOYDELL & BREWER INC
Publication date: 04/17/2008
Pages: 272
Product dimensions: 6.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

DR SAM WILLIS is one of the UK's best-known historians. He has written more than twenty books, many on maritime and naval history, and presented more than ten multi-part history documentaries for the BBC and National Geographic including the BBC's The Silk Road which has been viewed by tens of millions worldwide.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Contact
Chase and Escape I: Speed and Performance
Chase and Escape II: The Tactics of Chasing
Station Keeping
Communication
Unwritten Rules
Command
The Weather Gage
Fleet Tactics
Fighting Tactics
Damage
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
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