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Convoys: The British Struggle Against Napoleonic Europe and America
During the Napoleonic Wars thousands of merchant ships crisscrossed narrow seas and wide oceans, protected by Britain’s warships. These were wars of attrition and raw materials had to reach their shores continuously: timber and hemp from the Baltic, sulfur from Sicily, and saltpeter from Bengal. Britain’s fate rested on the strength of its economy—and convoys played a vital role in securing victory.
Leading naval historian Roger Knight examines how convoys ensured the protection of trade and transport of troops, allowing Britain to take the upper hand. Detailing the many hardships these ships faced, from the shortage of seaman to the vicissitudes of the weather, Knight sheds light on the innovation and seamanship skills that made convoys such an invaluable tool in Britain’s arsenal. The convoy system laid the foundation for Britain’s narrow victory over Napoleon and his allies in 1815 and, in doing so, established its naval and mercantile power at sea for a hundred years.
Leading naval historian Roger Knight examines how convoys ensured the protection of trade and transport of troops, allowing Britain to take the upper hand. Detailing the many hardships these ships faced, from the shortage of seaman to the vicissitudes of the weather, Knight sheds light on the innovation and seamanship skills that made convoys such an invaluable tool in Britain’s arsenal. The convoy system laid the foundation for Britain’s narrow victory over Napoleon and his allies in 1815 and, in doing so, established its naval and mercantile power at sea for a hundred years.
388 pages, Hardcover
Published October 11, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 1, 2023
If I were a Patrick O'Brien or C.S. Forrester reader and wanted to know a lot more about the British convoy system to provide more details surrounding the novel's narrative, this book would be useful. But, I'm not a reader of those novels and just have a general interest in early modern-to-present day history.
As such, the question is exactly how did the British economy support the war effort against Napoleon (and in 1812, also against the Americans)? This obviously involved shipping as raw materials needed to be imported (naval stores most importantly) and goods needed to be sold to customers abroad (in the face of opposition from Napoleon's Continental System and numerous privateers). Convoys were initiated immediately once war broke out.
So, what do we get in this well-researched book?
First of all, it is a thematic survey of convoys from the British point of view. This includes organizational structures, the role of Lloyds as insurer, convoying troops (notably to Spain and North America but also other places like Egypt), and then regional chapters - the Baltic, the Indies (east and west), cross-Atlantic, etc.
Because literally thousands of convoys occurred during this period, Knight focuses on just a few where there were decent first person accounts or notable controversies. Seamen shortages were everpresent and it is easy to see why impressment was the routine (no ships sailing, no convoys, no convoy protection, no goods, no money, war economy would collapse). British naval vessels even had the right to impress seamen off the merchant ships they were protecting!
There are countless stories of ships foundering in bad weather, or, if not foundering, severely damaged. In one night, a ship with 600 men (and often women and children) would sink with no survivors. There are occasional run-ins with the French fleet but mostly privateers including the pesky Danes who made life tough for the all-important convoys of naval stores from Sweden and the Baltic. That said, most convoys got through just fine.
There are all sorts of interesting tidbits like how the convoy escort was entitled to a "fee" if transporting bullion. Lucky commanders could become well-off. There was also prize money to be divvied up if the escort captured enemy ships. Another interesting bit was that when the British grain harvest failed in 1808, Napoleon had no problem with French farmers shipping grain to the British because to Napoleon, this just meant the British Treasury would be depleted faster and maybe the war come to an end in France's favor.
Ultimately, this is a survey book covering almost 15 years and it is best enjoyed if you set your expectations that you're fleshing out your understanding of the British naval logistical side of the Napoleonic Wars. I read it one chapter-a-day as it is definitely not a page turner.
From the many stories of individual convoys, a talented novelist or screenwriter could craft a gripping account as it wasn't easy what those sailors did back then (in the Preface, the author makes the point that the sailing skills of the 19th century merchants and warships has all been lost today once steam power entered the picture).
Several maps were included though not all place names in the text appear on the maps. An innate knowledge of the Western Hemisphere's geography is helpful. There are also a few color plates of ships and admirals.
Lots of footnotes (which I admire) and an extensive notes & bibliography.
As such, the question is exactly how did the British economy support the war effort against Napoleon (and in 1812, also against the Americans)? This obviously involved shipping as raw materials needed to be imported (naval stores most importantly) and goods needed to be sold to customers abroad (in the face of opposition from Napoleon's Continental System and numerous privateers). Convoys were initiated immediately once war broke out.
So, what do we get in this well-researched book?
First of all, it is a thematic survey of convoys from the British point of view. This includes organizational structures, the role of Lloyds as insurer, convoying troops (notably to Spain and North America but also other places like Egypt), and then regional chapters - the Baltic, the Indies (east and west), cross-Atlantic, etc.
Because literally thousands of convoys occurred during this period, Knight focuses on just a few where there were decent first person accounts or notable controversies. Seamen shortages were everpresent and it is easy to see why impressment was the routine (no ships sailing, no convoys, no convoy protection, no goods, no money, war economy would collapse). British naval vessels even had the right to impress seamen off the merchant ships they were protecting!
There are countless stories of ships foundering in bad weather, or, if not foundering, severely damaged. In one night, a ship with 600 men (and often women and children) would sink with no survivors. There are occasional run-ins with the French fleet but mostly privateers including the pesky Danes who made life tough for the all-important convoys of naval stores from Sweden and the Baltic. That said, most convoys got through just fine.
There are all sorts of interesting tidbits like how the convoy escort was entitled to a "fee" if transporting bullion. Lucky commanders could become well-off. There was also prize money to be divvied up if the escort captured enemy ships. Another interesting bit was that when the British grain harvest failed in 1808, Napoleon had no problem with French farmers shipping grain to the British because to Napoleon, this just meant the British Treasury would be depleted faster and maybe the war come to an end in France's favor.
Ultimately, this is a survey book covering almost 15 years and it is best enjoyed if you set your expectations that you're fleshing out your understanding of the British naval logistical side of the Napoleonic Wars. I read it one chapter-a-day as it is definitely not a page turner.
From the many stories of individual convoys, a talented novelist or screenwriter could craft a gripping account as it wasn't easy what those sailors did back then (in the Preface, the author makes the point that the sailing skills of the 19th century merchants and warships has all been lost today once steam power entered the picture).
Several maps were included though not all place names in the text appear on the maps. An innate knowledge of the Western Hemisphere's geography is helpful. There are also a few color plates of ships and admirals.
Lots of footnotes (which I admire) and an extensive notes & bibliography.
December 7, 2024
A great book, providing a detailed overview of the means, process, structure, and risks of Britain’s achieving sea control in the Napoleonic Wars and War of 1812. The author, English historian R. G. B. Knight, offers more than just a rote history of convoy operations conducted by the Royal Navy in the early years of the 19th century. The book instead delivers a broad commentary on the importance of commerce for Britain’s war effort, the means by which the Royal Navy assured Britain’s commercial expansion, and the processes behind Britain’s global operations. Knight’s insights into the role of weather on operations involving sailing ships, the criticality of convoy routes from the resource rich Baltic region, and strategic resourcing challenges, especially the limiting factor of experienced seamen, highlight the operational difficulties faced by the Royal Navy in their relentless war of attrition against Napoleonic France. This book provides a great understanding of Corbett’s theories of naval warfare (though Corbett himself is not mentioned), illustrating the cumulative effects of successful naval operations and the different approaches to aligning resource management with naval strategy. A great book for anyone interested in the methods and implications of maritime dominance.
March 20, 2023
Knight provides an excellent overview of the convoy demands on the navy in order to address the industrial and military needs of the British Empire. It covers the period from 1803-1815.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews