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Fighting Ships: Ships of the Line 1793-1815
The period 1793-1815 was that of the Napoleonic wars with France - a period of upheaval which ranks with those of the world wars of the twentieth century. This book describes the activities of the Ships of the Line - the battleships that took part in those titanic struggles.
In terms a layman can understand, it describes the ships themselves and their armament and looks at the circumstances of the men who served in them. It discusses the problems which faced the commanders on both sides, it describes in some detail, the major battles and gives a broad picture of the naval events which took place in the periods between battles. Written from a British standpoint, it also looks sympathetically at the difficulties which faced the commanders and sailors of other nations involved - French, Spanish, Dutch - and gives credit where it is due.
In terms a layman can understand, it describes the ships themselves and their armament and looks at the circumstances of the men who served in them. It discusses the problems which faced the commanders on both sides, it describes in some detail, the major battles and gives a broad picture of the naval events which took place in the periods between battles. Written from a British standpoint, it also looks sympathetically at the difficulties which faced the commanders and sailors of other nations involved - French, Spanish, Dutch - and gives credit where it is due.
201 pages, Hardcover
First published May 20, 1996
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About the author
David Tudor Davies
3 books1 followerDavid 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.
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February 19, 2023
Fighting at sea during the Napoleonic War, an on-deck view of how the Royal Navy fought and dominated the seas.
David Davis maps out how individual ships fought close-quarter actions on the high seas, and the great fleet action of the era culminating in the Victory at Trafalgar. The author brings the reader into familiarity with the ships of the day and the crews who manned them, then leads this history thru a series of major battles, how they were fought, and their outcomes.
The Royal Navy hounded Napoleon in all his campaigns, enabling a series of alliances to coalesce that eventually defeated the aspiring imperialistic French Republic with blockades, sanctions busting, and ship-to-ship engagements. These battles are dissected in detail revealing the tactics, seamanship, and leadership in fleet actions that changed the course of history.
Highly recommended for the reader to investigate this fascinating history of sailing ships and how the Royal Navy came to rule the seas after Trafalgar and maintained their unassailable sea power until World War 2.
David Davis maps out how individual ships fought close-quarter actions on the high seas, and the great fleet action of the era culminating in the Victory at Trafalgar. The author brings the reader into familiarity with the ships of the day and the crews who manned them, then leads this history thru a series of major battles, how they were fought, and their outcomes.
The Royal Navy hounded Napoleon in all his campaigns, enabling a series of alliances to coalesce that eventually defeated the aspiring imperialistic French Republic with blockades, sanctions busting, and ship-to-ship engagements. These battles are dissected in detail revealing the tactics, seamanship, and leadership in fleet actions that changed the course of history.
Highly recommended for the reader to investigate this fascinating history of sailing ships and how the Royal Navy came to rule the seas after Trafalgar and maintained their unassailable sea power until World War 2.
Displaying 1 of 1 review