The boats of men of war / Commander W E May, with additions from Simon Stephens

"In the age of sail, the boats carried by the men-of-war were an essential part of the ship's outfitting. They were necessary to move stores, act as the "engine" in confined waters, serve as amphibious raiders, and even to cruise independently as tenders to the mother ship. Over the centuries there have been many sizes, hull forms, and rigs employed, so the exact details proved a problem for model makers, marine artists, and builders of replicas. This new book, based on a work originally published in 1974, is still the only study of the whole history of this neglected topic. Now revised, expanded and much more thoroughly illustrated, it covers the boat 'establishments' (the sizes and types of boat formally allocated), the methods of hoisting and stowing them aboard ship, the design and construction of the boats themselves, their fittings, rigs and armament - guns, howitzers, and even Congreve rockets. With the largest collection of original naval boat draughts ever published, this new edition will be warmly welcomed by ship modellers and historians of the world's navies, as well as all small-craft enthusiasts."--Provided by the publisher.