The Elements and Practice of Rigging, Seamanship, and Naval Tactics 4 Volume Set
David Steel was one of the most respected and prolific naval publishers of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. His publications focused on naval strategy and shipbuilding techniques. This influential four-volume work, first published in 1794, and reissued here in printings dated between 1800 and 1809, was the first comprehensive English manual of best naval practice. Designed for aspiring young officers, it established Steel's reputation as a publisher. The book describes theoretical and practical aspects of masts, rigging, and sails, and the science of sailing. The combination of practical advice supported by scientific and mathematical explanations, glossaries of technical terms and numerous illustrations provides valuable insights into British seamanship during the Napoleonic wars.
Product details
January 2011Multiple copy pack
9781108026550
1160 pages
216 × 150 × 68 mm
1.53kg
115 b/w illus. 108 colour illus.
Available
Table of Contents
- Volume 1:
- 1. Explanation of terms and description of tools used in mast-making
- General description of masts, &c.
- 2. Method of converting and lining trees for made-masts, masts of single trees, bowsprits, yards, &c.
- 3. Putting together and completing masts, bowsprits, yards, &c.
- 4. Methods of fixing masts
- 5. Proportions for the lengths and diameters of masts, yards, &c.
- 6. General description of block-making
- 7. Description of the tools, and explanation of the terms, &c. used in block-making
- 8. The practice of block-making
- 9. Oar-making. Volume 2:
- 1. Alphabetical explanation of the technical terms relative to sails, and description of the tools used in sail-making
- 2. Description and use of sails
- 3. General rules and instructions for sail-making
- 4. Rules for ascertaining the quantity of canvas contained in the different sails
- 5. A table of the number of reefs, points, rope-bands, and gaskets, used in fitting of sails
- 6. Particular directions for making every sail
- 7. The quality of canvas of which the different sails are made in the Royal Navy
- 8. The quality of canvas of which the different sails are made in the merchant-service
- 9. Parliamentary regulations relative to sails and sail-cloth. Volume 3:
- 1. Alphabetical explanation of the terms used in rigging
- 2. Preparatory rigging
- 3. Progressive method of rigging ships
- 4. Description of operations and particulars generally performed while fitting the ship in harbour, or when at sea
- 5. Rigging brigs and smaller vessels
- 6. Rigging vessels with one mast
- 7. Proportions for the lengths of the standing and running rigging of all ships
- 8. Table of the dimensions of the standing and running rigging
- 9. Quantities and dimension of the rigging of brigs, cutters, sloops, ketches, merchant-shipping. Volume 4:
- 1. Seamanship: The practice of working ships
- 2. River-moorings
- 3. Of the ballast and ladings
- 4. On bending sails
- 5. Of getting under sails
- 6. Of anchoring
- 7. On mooring
- 8. Of getting up or weighing anchor
- 9. On tacking
- 10. On veering
- Of lying-to
- 11. Of sounding
- 12. On ships driving
- 13. On setting and taking-in sails in blowing weather
- 14. Of a ship overset on her side
- 15. On chasing
- 16. Of boarding
- 17. Capt. Pakenham's inventions
- 18. Explanation of the terms used in seamanship
- 19. The theory of working ships
- 20. A system of naval tactics.