Adlard Coles | Barcode: 9781472982377

Seamanship in the Age of Sail

An Account of Shiphandling of the Sailing Man-O-War, 1600-1860

Author:	John Harland
Edition:	2020
Format:	Hardback
Size:	292 x 245 mm

£50⁰⁰

VAT included

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The Definitive Guide to Square-Rig Seamanship

A landmark study of shiphandling techniques from 1600 to 1860 – essential reading for tall ship sailors, modelmakers and maritime historians.

Seamanship in the Age of Sail is the definitive modern account of how square-rigged ships were truly handled between 1600 and 1860. Drawing on a vast range of historical sources from across the maritime world, John Harland explores the evolution of seamanship with clarity and precision, moving far beyond the limitations of period training manuals to examine the real practices of sailors at sea.

This landmark work explains everything from sail handling and ship manoeuvres to anchor work and storm procedures. It answers vital questions for modelmakers, marine artists, tall ship sailors and maritime historians: how much sail was set in varying conditions, how complex evolutions were performed, and how techniques differed between navies.

Based on nearly four centuries of seamanship literature and offering international coverage, this richly detailed book is a standard reference in the field – praised for its scholarship, clarity and practical relevance.

About the Author

John Harland was born in Belfast and trained in medicine before emigrating to British Columbia, Canada. Despite living far from the sea, he dedicated his life to the study of naval history, particularly sailing ships and square-rig seamanship. A frequent contributor to The Mariner’s Mirror and an active member of the Society for Nautical Research, his book has become an essential resource for sailors, scholars and enthusiasts alike.