The Age of the Ship of the Line

by Dull, Jonathan R.

• ISBN13: 9780803235182
• ISBN10: 0803235186
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-06-01
• Publisher: Bison Books

Summary

For nearly two hundred years huge wooden warships called "ships of the line" dominated war at sea and were thus instrumental in the European struggle for power and the spread of imperialism. Foremost among the great naval powers were Great Britain and France, whose advanced economies could support large numbers of these expensive ships. This book, the first joint history of these great navies, offers a uniquely impartial and comprehensive picture of the two forces; their shipbuilding programs, naval campaigns, and battles, as well as their wartime strategies and diplomacy. Bringing to bear years of study of war and diplomacy, Jonathan R. Dull's book conveys the fine details and high drama of the age of grand and decisive naval conflict. Dull delves into the seven wars that Great Britain and France, often in alliance with lesser naval powers such as Spain and the Netherlands, fought between 1688 and 1815. Viewing war as most statesmen of the time saw it--as a contest of endurance--he also treats the tragic side of the Franco-British wars, which shattered the greater security and prosperity that the two powers enjoyed during their brief period as allies.