Sailing Warships of the U.S. Navy Review

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(More customer reviews)In his preface to "Sailing Warships of the US Navy" author Donald Canney pays tribute to Howard Chapelle's "The History of the American Sailing Navy", but also notes the limitations of that classic work in its failure to meet the standards of modern historical research by inadequately documenting source citations and, sometimes, in poorly evaluating primary sources. Canney explains that he does not seek to replace, but to complement Chapelle's book with its meticulously executed ships' plans. And Canney well succeeds in this goal.
All of the ships built for the American navy before the era of steam are covered, most of them in considerable detail, showing the original lines plans where available (it should be noted that due to the age and physical condition of these plans, some lack clear detail). These are supplemented by paintings and, especially for the vessels built after the early 19th Century, photographs. Special attention is given to design and construction considerations, although the full career and ultimate fate of each vessel are summarized. Furthermore, in the course of discussing the individual ships, Canney develops a more general history of design trends and employment.
While Paul Silverstone's "The Sailing Navy, 1775-1854" is a useful quick reference to the ships of this era, Canney's book provides a much greater in-depth look. "Sailing Warships of the US Navy" does not mean that Chapelle's history is obsolete, but you should make a space on the bookshelf next to it for Canney's volume. This is a book which is truly a "must have" for anyone interested in the US Navy during the Age of Sail.

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Although the U.S. Navy was a relatively small force during the Age of Sail, the radical thinking and innovative design of its warships impressed larger maritime powers. Until now, however, information about these ships has come from the works of Howard Chapelle, a practical naval architect and amateur historian whose drawings were impeccable but whose information was often inadequately documented. This large-format volume by an American ship authority is the first to look critically at Chapelle's findings and compare them with rare original drafts, many published here for the first time, contemporary paintings, prints, and important documents such as the building specifications for the USS Constitution. The main chapters are devoted to the major ship types, from ships of the line to brigs and schooners, as well as vessels of the Great Lakes. More than 125 half-tones, plans, and drawings accompany the text. Appendixes deal with gunboats, galleys, and revenue cutters. This fresh perspective on the American sailing Navy is a must for any Age-of-Sail bookshelf.

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