Seamanship in the Age of Sail

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.

Praise for Seamanship in the Age of Sail

“One of the most definitive accounts of the remarkable development of seamanship techniques between 1600 and 1860.”
– Nautilus Telegraph