A Brief History of Fighting Ships

by David Tudor Davies

Surveying the turbulent years of the Napoleonic wars, 1793 to 1815, this masterly chronicle tells the stirring story of the Ship of the Line—the vast, beautiful, and deadly battleships that played a vital role in that titanic conflict. The text adeptly explains the ships’ construction and armaments, the daily life of the men who served, and the problems faced by commanders of the time, in battles that include the Glorious First of June, the Battle of the Nile, and, of course, Trafalgar. “An excellent book ... clearly and simply written ... action-packed with many of the great sea battles.”—Nautical Magazine

Genres: History, Military Fiction, Maritime, Military History, Nonfiction, Audiobook, War

201 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

David Tudor Davies was a member of the Royal Engineers during World War II. A retired chartered civil engineer, he developed a great interest in military and naval history, especially of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic period. A member of the Navy Records Society and Society for Nautical Research, for many years he has owned and sailed a traditional gaff-rigged ex-working boat.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the information in this book is quite interesting! I liked learning about some of the more obscure adventures, such as France's failed invasion of Ireland.
However, this book had numerous issues that outweighed the interesting subject matter.
To begin with, there are no citations. This is a history book, part of a series that normally does a good job of this. How am I supposed to check facts, or follow up on points I find interesting?
Davies' tone can be quite informal as well. This wouldn't necessarily be a negative, if the tone didn't shift wildly between mild jokes and serious recitations of battle sequences.
Finally, this book is OVERWHELMINGLY biased. Nowhere in the synopsis does it state that it'll be covering the Napoleonic sea battles from a British perspective. However, this it does to the point of extreme annoyance. Even when discussing the French, it is disparaging. Any compliments are in relation to Britain. Non-European nations/people are dismissed in a fairly racist way (calling the Turks primitives for example).
If I wished to read British propaganda I can think of much better ways to do so, but I was trying to learn about ships of the line and their roles in the Napoleonic War. Ultimately, I was very disappointed in this book.

[Bernard Fredericks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of FIGHTING SHIPS by David Davies...
There's always something of great interest about the period in history that come under the subjective heading of nautical sail.
Now, more than the sailing, manoeuvring and combating in high seas exploits, including the close naval actions as these magnificent ships of sail take on and encounter each other in broadside-to-broadside heavy cannon fire with appalling damage to these wooden vessels, not to mention the enormous casualties to crew, as a result.
Author, David Davies, conveys to his readership some of the horrific scenes revealed when these ships clashed in furious gun actions. Ships of the Line and the Napoleonic Sea battles of 1793-1815 are the times when this particular canvas is revisited.
These battles changed the world and directed the way nations respected each other and protected their mercantile fleets to ensure they continued to play their part in a flourishing overseas trading business.

[Bernard Spencer]

Review of FIGHTING SHIPS by David Davies...
There's always something of great interest about the period in history that come under the subjective heading of nautical sail.
Now, more than the sailing, manoeuvring and combating in high seas exploits, including the close naval actions as these magnificent ships of sail take on and encounter each other in broadside-to-broadside heavy cannon fire with appalling damage to these wooden vessels, not to mention the enormous casualties to crew, as a result.
Author, David Davies, conveys to his readership some of the horrific scenes revealed when these ships clashed in furious gun actions. Ships of the Line and the Napoleonic Sea battles of 1793-1815 are the times when this particular canvas is revisited.
These battles changed the world and directed the way nations respected each other and protected their mercantile fleets to ensure they continued to play their part in a flourishing overseas trading business.

Like

Comment

[Malapata · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un ameno repaso a los principales enfrentamientos navales de la Marina Real durante las Gueras Napoleónicas. Porque, aunque el autor en la introducción afirme que se trata una historia general de los navíos de línea, y que solo se detiene más en los británicos por ser los más activos, lo cierto es que el resto de armadas solo aparecen como comparsas (o, más bien, sparrings) de los de Su Graciosa Majestad. Hecha la precisión, las batallas están bien narradas, sin caer en la confusión que provocaría en el lector común el abuso de términos marineros.

Sí he echado en falta un poco más de profundidad en el análisis de los barcos en sí, sus tripulaciones y las dificultades de la vida a bordo, a las que dedica un par de capítulos al inicio, breves pero interesantes (interesantes si te atrae el tema, claro), pero que luego deja de lado para narrar las campañas de la Marina.

[Alf Goodall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative with significant detail of how the fighting ships of the era were constructed, including their strengths and weaknesses. Comparisons of the preparedness of naval crews of the major countries involved shows how thoroughness and leadership are important to the outcome.d

[Ivan Savić · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really gets you in the time of ships of the line, how they looked like, worked, and good battle descriptions with diagrams to better visualise situation.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, compact form, prefect for someone who like me isn't that interested in marine history (maybe still too much detail). Kept me reading despite my lack of interest in the topic.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cool way to learn about fighting ships

[Steve Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

got bored

[Luana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief but thoroughly useful overview of Napoleonic naval warfare which only devolves into patriotic British hyperbole a handful of times..

[Alaric · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that does pretty much what it says on the cover. The ships are mentioned, sometimes in surprising detail and with the emphasis on first to third rates, along with the seamen's life and living conditions of the period. Major sea battles of the Revolutionary, and Napoleonic wars are also outlined, and comments made on the state of the relevant forces, and contemporary political views. In effect it is a potted history, but excellent as an introduction to the period or for background reference when starting with historical naval fiction.

[mia]

I'm reading this while I wait for the rest of the books in the Hornblower series. So far its been a really good primer on fighting ships of the Napoleonic era and actually understandable to someone like me who has a low attention span for things like this. Also includes some good history of the Napoleonic Wars.

[John Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant History of ships of the line for the Napoleonic period, nice balance between tactics, strategy, ship construction, battles and the personalities involved. Crackin' intro for folk who want to start getting into this period, I certainly enjoyed it!

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear, well written introduction to the Napoleonic Wars as fought on the "high seas." Well written, intelligent and yet clear enough for the greenest midship-person! A great place to begin your study of The Royal Navy!

[Conrad Mullins]

Watch full episodes of Offbeat Roads at http://www.travelandescape.ca/watch/o....

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly and directly written. An excellent primer.