The Boats of Men-of-War: Revised Edition (Hardcover)

~ William E. May (Author), Simon Stephens (Author), National Maritime Museum (Great Britain) (Author), (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In the age of sail, the boats carried by the men-of-war were an essential part of the ship's outfitting. They were necessary to move stores, act as the "engine" in confined waters, serve as amphibious raiders, and even to cruise independently as tenders to the mother ship. Over the centuries there have been many sizes, hull forms, and rigs employed, so the exact details proved a problem for model makers, marine artists, and builders of replicas.

In 1974 the original edition of this book was published by the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich, England. Still the only complete study of this neglected topic, the book has now been revised and expanded to include more illustrations. It covers the sizes and types of boats formally allocated, the methods of hoisting and stowing them aboard ship, and the design and construction of the boats themselves, as well as their fittings, rigs, and armament, including guns, howitzers, and Congreve rockets. Although primarily devoted to the age of sail, the book also covers the steamboats of the late nineteenth century.

Ship modelers, historians of the sailing navy, and small-craft enthusiasts will welcome this new edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press; Revised edition (January 14, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557501904
• ISBN-13: 978-1557501905
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #448,168 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A nice overview, plus lots of details, January 20, 2006

By	David Manthey (Troy, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is one of the very few books that deals with small, ancillary boats rather than on the biggest, fastest, or latest ships or yachts. It gives a history of British military ship's boats, from the earliest known specifications through the steam era. This includes myraid boat plans, scantling dimensions, sail and rigging details, armament, and period illustrations.

While I would have liked a bit more in the operational side of the boat use and more on the preferred woods used, this is very minor. Overall, I found this a good and thorough work.

Excellent, as are many of the books I've seen from the Naval Institute Press.