Pirates and Privateers

Rif Winfield, a maritime historian who concentrates his studies on warships during the Age of Sail, gives readers a unique and up-close look into the largest and most powerful vessels, the First Rates, in the British Navy from the reign of James I through the emergence of steam warships in the 19th century. He begins with the first three-deck warship, Prince Royal (1610), and ends with the steam-assisted vessels, Victoria (1859) and Howe (1860). The material is arranged chronologically into eleven chapters with the final three chapters devoted to various aspects of the vessels and captured first-rate prizes that join the Royal Navy.

• The Jacobean and Commonwealth First Rate
• The Pepysian Age
• The First Rate under the Later Stuarts
• The Era of the Establishments
• Anson’s New Navy
• The French Revolutionary War and the Expansion of the First Rate
• The Caledonia’s Descendants, 1812 to 1840
• The Transition to Steam
• Arrangements
• Structure
• First Rate Prizes

In his introduction, Winfield explains the importance of these vessels: “. . . they served not only as the most imposing weapons systems of their day . . . but also as potent symbols of the power and prestige of the nation, not just for the monarch and the government, but also for the wider civil populace.” (6) Aside from the narrative and captions for the many color and black-&-white illustrations that accompany each chapter, he includes tables listing the vessels, the builders, the dates in which they are ordered, built, and rebuilt, tonnage, and measurements for the keel, breadth, and depth. He also discusses the builders, their designs, and the battles in which the First Rates participate over the years. Throughout the book, Winfield deftly shows the evolution of and the innovations incorporated into these ships. An index of the ships found in this volume is also provided.

Several times during the narrative, he spotlights particular aspects of the First Rates over a two-page spread. These include: The First Rates in the Anglo-Dutch Wars, The Navy Board Model, The Royal William of 1719, The Changing Shape of the Bow, The Changing Shape of the Stern, and Fittings (four pages for this one). Also of note is the inclusion of what the vessel looks like below the top deck, information that is often lacking in many books on ships. This section boasts a cross-sectional from 1701, as well as the deck plan for Royal George (1756).

This 100-gun First-Rate was launched at Woolwich Dockyard in 1756. It was the first to be built
in the 18th century without a poop-royal which was a short deck above the after end of the poop
where the master or pilot had his cabin. King George III visited the 'Royal George' at Portsmouth
while it was under construction, and she was Sir Edward Hawke's flagship at the Battle of Quiberon
Bay in 1759, when the French fleet under Admiral de Conflans was largely destroyed and a threatened
French invasion plan averted. (Source: Seaforth, used with permission)

The beautiful paintings, drawings, and detailed models that accompany the text enrich this book. Better than descriptive words these illustrations bring to life these magnificent ships. Contemporary art depicts the vessels at sail and during battle, giving readers a better appreciation for these warships. The illustrations also include original draughts (drafts) of some of the vessels, which provide readers with glimpses into the design work of the shipwrights. One reproduction is a “detailed draught of the Victoria” that unfolds in  length to the equivalent of four pages.

First Rate is a treasure beyond equal for anyone interested in these powerful and magnificent warships from the Age of Sail.

Review Copyright ©2010 Cindy Vallar

French Warships in the Age of Sail, 1786-1861: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates
by Rif Winfield and Stephen S. Roberts
Seaforth, 2015, ISBN 978-1-84832-204-2, UK £50.00 / US $76.95

This guide provides readers with information about “every known named vessel which served in or was ordered for the French Navy.” It opens in 1786, the year in which France’s secretary of state for the Navy reorganized naval construction, and closes with 1861, the year in which the French cease to build sailing warships. The dimensions, tonnage, crew complement, and armament are provided for each class of ships. Information on individual vessels includes her designer and builder, date of construction, highlights of her career, and what becomes of her.

Prior to the opening chapter, the authors provide a detailed explanation of the book’s structure and organization to orient the reader. Their overview of French history covers the status of the Marine Royale following the American Revolution when Louis XVI rules; the French Revolution during the final decade of the 18th century; the navy during the Napoleonic Wars; the rebuilding of the fleet after Napoleon’s defeat; the navy during King Louis-Philippe’s reign; the Levant crisis; and the fleet during the reign of Emperor Napoleon III and the Crimean War. A chronology of key historical events and a list of French Naval Operations follow. The latter begins with the occupation of Toulon in August 1793, and ends with the Expeditionary Corps in Northern China in 1860. The next two sections of the book deal with “Dockyards and Infrastructure” and “French Navies and Naval Construction outside France, 1797-1814.”

Unlike most books, the sources and bibliography are toward the front of this volume. The “Glossary and Abbreviations” provides translations of French naval terms. These include personnel and naval ranks, the decks of a warship, parts of the ship, design and construction, guns and ordnance, and types of vessels. Just before the first chapter, they list the French fleet at the start of 1786.

The majority of the book is divided into the following chapters:

1. The Three-deckers
2. Two-decker Ships of the Line, 80 to 100 guns
3. Two-decker Ships of the Line, 74 guns and below
4. The Largest Frigates (24-, 30-, and 36-pounder Frigates)
5. The Smaller Frigates (8-, 12-, and 18-pounder Frigates)
6. Corvettes
7. Brigs
8. Small Sailing Patrol Vessels
9. Sailing Gunboats and Coastal Vessels
10. Miscellaneous Sailing Vessels
11. Paddle Vessels
12. Screw Avisos and Screw Gunboats
13. The Larger Transports
14. The Smaller Transports

Within each of these chapters is a short summary of the vessel type and then information about each ship is provided chronologically. These listings also delineate vessels according to whether they are built in France or acquired by other means. At the conclusion of these chapters a postscript discusses Broadside Ironclads. This is followed by ten appendices:

A. Standard Armaments of French Ships, 1786-1848
B. French Naval Artillery, 1786-1860
C. Resources Provided to the French Navy, 1786-1861
D. Strength of the French Navy, 1789-1859
E. French Naval Programs, 1820-1857
F. French Ministers of Marine, 1780-1870
G. French Navy Shipbuilding Officials
H. Selected French Naval Constructors, 1786-1861
I. French Naval Ship and Engine Builders, 1793-1861
J. Composition of the Crew for a French Ship of the Line, 1795

The inclusion of pictures, tables, plans, models, and architectural drafts of vessels enhance the text, while the eighteen-page “Index to Named Vessels” allows users to easily access needed information.

While this volume is not meant to be read from cover to cover, it is a weighty and oversized reference book on the French Navy during turbulent times and periods of evolution and change. It provides researchers with invaluable information drawn from many sources and collected into a single volume by two authors eminently qualified to write this book.

Review Copyright ©2016 Cindy Vallar




Spanish Warships in the Age of Sail 1700-1860: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates
by Rif Winfield, John Tredrea, Enrique García-Torralba Pérez, and Manuel Blasco Felip
Seaforth, 2023, ISBN 978-1-5267-9078-1, UK £50.00 / US $60.00

As history passes, change is inevitable. Sometimes, it’s hard to see how those changes influence fundamental elements within an organization and its equipment. Spanish Warships in the Age of Sail, the latest volume in the Warships in the Age of Sail series, seeks to alter this by showcasing how Spain’s naval fleet evolves during a specific span of time. In this case, the book focuses on the period in which the Bourbon monarchy comes to power in November 1700 until steam begins to replace sail. Whenever possible, the authors also discuss each ship’s career, where she sails and fights, and what becomes of her.

The book opens with an explanation of the Spanish Navy’s structure and organization, which is followed by information concerning Spain’s weights and measurements, names, dates, naval ranks, monetary units, flags and royal arms, and conversions. Two chronologies are included; that of the Trastamara and Habsburg Eras covers 1492 through 1697, and the Bourbon Era begins with the death of Carlos II in 1700, and extends through the monarchy’s restoration in 1874. The next seventy-six pages provide an historical overview (before the Habsburgs into the mid-19th century), the leaders of the Bourbon Navy, Spain’s regional navies that are precursors to its national navy, auxiliary groups (such as the guardacostas or coastguard), the Manila galleons, fleet lists, naval construction, departmental organization and dockyards, naval ordnance and architecture, copper sheathing, management of material resources, and acquiring, training, maintaining, and retaining naval personnel.

It is at this juncture that the authors discuss the sources and archives that are consulted, as well as the difficulties they encounter in identifying and providing information on individual vessels. There is also a bibliography, a glossary, and a list of the abbreviations used in the main portion of the book.

The heart of the book appears in twenty-four chapters where Spanish naval vessels are discussed, beginning with ships of the line with three decks and ending with lesser fore-and-aft rig boats. The major warships cover six chapters and each is arranged chronologically. Among the other vessels found in subsequent chapters are brigs, bomb vessels, storeships, fireships, packets, galleys, xebecs, barks, and cutters. There is also an addendum about paddle and screw warships that are powered by a combination of sail and steam; these are not reviewed in detail. Seven appendices pertain to vessels that participate in the 1588 Felicísima Armada and the 1639 Battle of the Downs; rules governing the building of ships during the 1600s; the types and numbers of ships in various years between 1782 and 1860; expenses for the Spanish Navy in different locales (1714-1800) as well as government expenditures (1801-1860); ordnance regulations; and official officer and crew numbers aboard different types of vessels.

Although there is an index, it lists only the names of specific vessels. Black-&-white illustrations (portraits, drafts, and maps) and tables are found throughout. Technical details for the different classes of vessels and single designs are provided, as is information on the ship architects, shipwrights, and building dates if known. Significant details about individual ships are provided, as is the order of battle for major sea engagements. That being said, the authors make it clear that there are gaps in the provided information. Some of this stems from a fire that sweeps through naval archives in 1734.

Spanish Warships is not meant to be read from cover to cover. Written by eminently qualified authors, it is a reference book that provides researchers with invaluable information that is as accurate and comprehensive as it can be. Much of the source material comes from archival primary documents. It is highly recommended and is a great companion to previous titles in the series.

Review Copyright ©2024 Cindy Vallar

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