from: Chartwell Books
Type of bind: Hardcover
EAN num: 9780785812678
ISBN number: 0785812679
Label: Chartwell Books
Manufacturer: Chartwell Books
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 208
Printing Date: 2000-09
Publishing house: Chartwell Books
Sale Popularity Level: 521959
Studio: Chartwell Books
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Brief Book Summary:
The Line of Battle: The Sailing Warship 1650-1840
Although purpose-built fighting ships had existed earlier, the principal characteristics of the classic sailing warship were only defined in the mid-seventeenth century, when the emergence of strong central governments, as in Cromwell's Commonwealth or the France of Louis XIV, combined with the novel line-ahead tactics to produce, for the very first time, national fleets of reasonably similar line-of-battle ships.
As the battleship became more distinct, the need for a specialized cruising ship became apparent - particularly as warfare became more global - and from this the frigate was born. Gradually during this period, myriad types of crafts were adapted for naval use. The central emphasis of this volume is the increasing specialization of the fleet and the evolution of each ship type, down to the period when the installation of the steam engine sparked another revolution in tactics and technology.
While some naval historians have imparted little relative importance to this era, it will be clear from the chapters that follow that between 1650-1840 the wooden warship became not only larger, better constructed and more powerfully armed, but the very nature of its capabilities was changed dramatically. From being little better than a coastal, summer-only force, the battlefleet and its consorts developed into a powerful and flexible weapon that could be employed in virtually any seas, in all but the heaviest weather, all year round. The worldwide campaigns of the late eighteenth century, or the ceaseless drudgery of blockade duty, were only made possible by enhanced seaworthiness and more rugged contstruction, so with this instrument, sea power became a far more powerful and influential factor in world history.
Lavishly illustrated, this informative reference guide includes over 175 drawings, 35 black-and-white photos and over 25 tables. It is a must for anyone interested in a detailed account of a technology that has shaped human history.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
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When I very first bought this book almost 15 years ago, I little realised what a valuable companion it would turn out to be. While each of the subjects dealt with (rigging, ship types, etc) is necessarily brief, nevertheless, it is learned and to the point. More importantly, it allows the reader to determine specifically what kinds of information is of the most interest, which can then be used with the splendid bibliography to get more detailed information about that particular subject. While some may complain that it is TOO brief, it is important to remember that to discuss these subjects in FULL detail would require a truly monumental volume costing thousands (Jean Boudriot's magnificent four-volume work just on the 74-gun ship is a good example!). In sum, the wide range of information provided (and not just 'from a British point of view' either, as there is a fair bit on French and Dutch ship-building as well), the detailed artwork used for illustration, and the quality index and bibliography, not to mention the extremely reasonable price, make this a fine addition to any library.
Rated by buyers -
I am a Patrick O'Brian fan and I have searched for more information about the world he describess in his novels.
This book is the very first one with exhaustive plans and technical data, and also a good history of the sail balttleships themselves.
A real technical book, heavy to read but a good reference books for modellers.
I only miss more plans and data of spanish ships, even the captured ones like the HMS San Juan...
Rated by buyers 
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Interesting book about ships from the age of sail, every type gets a turn with some historical stories/battles. Also a nice start of you want to know how ships of sail are working and learning the terms of the sail era. Only one side point most information is dated and should be taken in mind that research brought the historians of yesterday on a higher level of understanding of the ships of sails era (the use and building technic)
Rated by buyers 
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Excellent book on the construction, arming and sailing of the square-rigged sailing warship.
Rated by buyers -
I was delighted by this book. Each chapter is an artcile on a aspect of the sailing warship. The book restricts itself to the years 1650-1840, this being the time period where sail, not oars nor steam, was the predominant motive force for ships. It is also limited in scope to ships used in war. This ranges from the large 100+ gun ships down to ship tenders and hulks.
The very first several chapters focus on the size, rigging, and use of different classes of ships. Later chapters give a pleasantly simple account of how sailing works, the tactics used in a battle where the guns are slow to load and the wind and tide have a pronounced effect on the combatants, the decoration on the ships, details of the fittings, and more.
This was a more scholarly work than the cover would imply. There is a wealth of good figures, with numerous photographs of period models. Aside from a few typrographic errors, the text is well written and clear.
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