Customer Reviews

The History of the American Sailing Navy: The Ships and Their Development

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For those who are interested in the technical details of the US Navy sailing ships, this is the book of choice. This is perhaps one of the most complete and thorough research book that covers the history of the sailing ships serving the US Navy. The book's eight chapters plus an appendix covers sail ships that served in the US Navy from the colonial period up to the last one built before the Civil War. Sail ships ranging in sizes from small sloops to large Ship of the Line are covered. Details regarding the design considerations/proposals, dimensions, number/types of guns, tonnage, performance, etc. are included. Detail illustrations are also included.

This book mentions some brief history of some of the sailing vessels but not in detail. So for those who are interested in the history of a particular vessel this is not the book of choice.

Any naval historian, architecture, and those interested in sailing should get this book and will not be disappointed.

Howard Chapelle probably is personally responsible for documenting over a dozen types of uniquely American sailing vessel types and numerous small craft that would have otherwise been lost to the ravages of time and so called, "progress".

Who better to research and write a history of the American Navy during the glory days of sail, 1775-1854. His direct access to Navy documentation, redrawing of original sketches (drawn plans were not the norm in this era), and interpretation of sail plans and rigging, add up to a well written, fascinating account of the early shipbuilder's, Naval Constructors, and misguided politics and shenanigans of our fledgling Navy department.

One can almost come to grips with how the current Department of Defense collectively thinks, and why nothing is ever as simple as it seems it should be.

No matter if you are a student of naval architecture, or just love sailing ships, the wonderful illustrations and informative text are a delight to read and the tables of information invaluable to the scale modeler.

A definate must for every sailor's (or Horatio Hornblower wannabe's) reference shelf.