History of the Ship : The comprehensive story of seafaring from the earliest times to the present day

The author presents a comprehensive examination of the technical and cultural development of the ship. The book starts with descriptions of primitive craft, leading to the early trading vessels and warships. From there the transition to the first full-rigged ship, the carrack, is discussed. The books moves on to steamships, tea clippers, and twentieth century vessels such as the big-gun battleship, aircraft carrier and the nuclear submarine. Throughout the book, the impact of technology on the evolution of the ship is dealt with logically to put developments in their economic and political contexts, and changes in the design of both warships and merchantmen ae outlined. Entwined with this history are the stories of the characters who influenced ship design and the men who commanded them.