This introduction to the years of the Napoleonic Wars (1793 to 1815) tells the story of one of the keys to that great conflict, the ship of the line - the deadly battleships that played such a vital role in the battles. The author describes the ships' construction and armaments, the daily life of the men who served, and the problems faced by commanders of the time in battles that include the Glorious First of June, the Battle of the Nile and Trafalgar.
About the author: David Tudor Davies is a retired Chartered civil engineer who has had a lifetime's interest in ships and the sea. In retirement he developed a great interest in Military and Naval history, especially of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods. He is a member of the Navy Records Society and Society for Nautical Research.