David Steel was one of the most respected and prolific naval publishers of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. His publications focused on naval strategy and shipbuilding techniques. This influential four-volume work, first published in 1794, and reissued here in printings dated between 1800 and 1809, was the first comprehensive English manual of best naval practice. Designed for aspiring young officers, it established Steel's reputation as a publisher. The book describes theoretical and practical aspects of masts, rigging, and sails, and the science of sailing. The combination of practical advice supported by scientific and mathematical explanations, glossaries of technical terms and numerous illustrations provides valuable insights into British seamanship during the Napoleonic wars.

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Product details
- Date Published: January 2011
- format: Multiple copy pack
- isbn: 9781108026550
- length: 1160 pages
- dimensions: 216 x 150 x 68 mm
- weight: 1.53kg
- contains: 115 b/w illus. 108 colour illus.
- availability: Temporarily unavailable - available from February 2023
Table of Contents
Volume 1:
1. Explanation of terms and description of tools used in mast-making
General description of masts, &c.
2. Method of converting and lining trees for made-masts, masts of single trees, bowsprits, yards, &c.
3. Putting together and completing masts, bowsprits, yards, &c.
4. Methods of fixing masts
5. Proportions for the lengths and diameters of masts, yards, &c.
6. General description of block-making
7. Description of the tools, and explanation of the terms, &c. used in block-making
8. The practice of block-making
9. Oar-making. Volume 2:
1. Alphabetical explanation of the technical terms relative to sails, and description of the tools used in sail-making
2. Description and use of sails
3. General rules and instructions for sail-making
4. Rules for ascertaining the quantity of canvas contained in the different sails
5. A table of the number of reefs, points, rope-bands, and gaskets, used in fitting of sails
6. Particular directions for making every sail
7. The quality of canvas of which the different sails are made in the Royal Navy
8. The quality of canvas of which the different sails are made in the merchant-service
9. Parliamentary regulations relative to sails and sail-cloth. Volume 3:
1. Alphabetical explanation of the terms used in rigging
2. Preparatory rigging
3. Progressive method of rigging ships
4. Description of operations and particulars generally performed while fitting the ship in harbour, or when at sea
5. Rigging brigs and smaller vessels
6. Rigging vessels with one mast
7. Proportions for the lengths of the standing and running rigging of all ships
8. Table of the dimensions of the standing and running rigging
9. Quantities and dimension of the rigging of brigs, cutters, sloops, ketches, merchant-shipping. Volume 4:
1. Seamanship: The practice of working ships
2. River-moorings
3. Of the ballast and ladings
4. On bending sails
5. Of getting under sails
6. Of anchoring
7. On mooring
8. Of getting up or weighing anchor
9. On tacking
10. On veering
Of lying-to
11. Of sounding
12. On ships driving
13. On setting and taking-in sails in blowing weather
14. Of a ship overset on her side
15. On chasing
16. Of boarding
17. Capt. Pakenham's inventions
18. Explanation of the terms used in seamanship
19. The theory of working ships
20. A system of naval tactics.
Author
David Steel