From the eclipse of the galley in the sixteenth century until the widespread introduction of steam in the mid-nineteenth century, the sailing warship was the ultimate symbol of national power. This premier volume of The Age of Sail annual explores all aspects of maritime warfare during the period, including warship development and construction, maritime strategy, naval campaigns, fighting tactics, social life, and naval infrastructure. Additional topics are re-supply at sea, combating disease, the development of a professional officer corps, growing world trade, and underwriting the huge costs of maintaining a war fleet. Reviews, notes, and the publication of important original documents also are a part of the first volume. Written by distinguished members of the international maritime community, this major new series is sure to be an essential resource for historians and naval enthusiasts alike.
