Author Results for Janet Macdonald
Book Review-‘Prisoners of War at Dartmoor: American and French soldiers and sailors in an English prison during the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812’ by T. James
Although not written with naval historians in mind, this book on the early days and inmates of Dartmoor Prison holds much of interest for them, relating both to the Napoleonic War and the War of 1812. The author was born near the prison and spent the last ten years of his working life there, producing […] Read More
Filed under: Napoleonic War | War of 1812 | Mutiny & Discipline
Subjects include: Administration
Book Review-‘British Expeditionary Warfare and the Defeat of Napoleon, 1793–1815’ by R. K. Sutcliffe
This book had its origins in the author’s doctoral thesis, and as one might suppose, is extensively researched. Though this is not always the case with theses, it is also well written. Its main area of concentration is the work of the Transport Board and how this contributed to British efforts in the French Revolutionary […] Read More
Filed under: Napoleonic War | Other (Nineteenth C) | Other (Eighteenth C)
Subjects include: Administration | Logistics
Book Review – ‘A History of the Royal Navy: The Seven Years War’ by Janet Macdonald
Martin Robson is the author of the latest in the ‘A History of the Royal Navy’ series, published by the National Museum of the Royal Navy, which aims to give an overview of the role of the navy in wider history. This edition is perhaps best described as an extended precis of previous works on […] Read More
Filed under: Atlantic | English Channel | Seven Years’ War | Pacific
Subjects include: Battles & Tactics | Navies | Strategy & Diplomacy
Book Review – ‘Captain Cook’s Computer: The life of William Wales FRS (1734–1798)’ by Janet MacDonald
In the eighteenth century, computers were not electronic boxes but people who performed calculations to create tables which assisted astronomers, surveyors, and navigators in their work. William Wales was one such, and this books focuses on his life. The book falls into three sections, the first starting with Wales’s early life. He was born in […] Read More
Filed under: Atlantic | Eighteenth Century
Subjects include: Biography | Science & Exploration
Book Review – ‘Captain Cook’s Merchant Ships: ‘Freelove’, ‘Three Brothers’, ‘Mary’, ‘Friendship’, ‘Endeavour’, ‘Adventure’, ‘Resolution’ and ‘Discovery’ by Janet MacDonald
This book tells the story of Captain James Cook’s merchant ships: the four in which he learned his job as a merchant sailor (Freelove, Friendship, Three Brothers, and Mary) and the four which he took to the Pacific on his voyages of discovery (Endeavour, Resolution, Adventure and Discovery). There have been many books about Cook, mainly covering his life […] Read More
Filed under: North Sea | Pacific
Subjects include: Biography | Harbours & Dockyards | Historic Vessels, Museums & Restoration | Miscellaneous | Science & Exploration | Shipbuilding & Design
Note: The Introduction of Iron Water Tanks in the Royal Navy
The gradual introduction of iron water tanks in place of wooden casks is examined, their provision by the Victualling Board instead of the Navy Board explained, and their production by Dickinson and Maudsley described. Read More
Filed under: Other (Nineteenth C) | Other (location)
Subjects include: Administration | Navies
Two years off Provence: the Victualling and Health of Nelson’s fleet in the Mediterranean, 1803 to 1805
The paper discusses the logistical difficulties of providing sufficient provisions to the Toulon squadron, particularly beverages and fresh food, which needed to be replenished frequently. The logistics and challenges of sourcing these from locations such as the Madalena Islands, Naples, Barcelona and Sicily are discussed, together with the work of the agent victualler, Richard Ford, […] Read More
Filed under: Nelson | Napoleonic War | Mediterranean | Health at Sea
Subjects include: Administration | Logistics | Manpower & Life at Sea