Early ReviewersIver P. Cooper

In the 16th century, warships engaged at close range, sometimes with yards touching, and small arms fire and hand-to-hand combat were at least as important as the "great guns."

As time went on, the big guns became more decisive and increased in destructive power, range and accuracy. This book explores how naval armament, armor, ballistics and gunnery evolved from the 16th to 20th centuries from a scientific and technological perspective. It examines the functional aspects—the guns and their distribution on warships, the propellants, the projectiles and so forth—and examines the development of each.

Excerpt from the preface: "A ship is not just a mode of transport, it is a life support system. Ideally, it provides fresh air at a comfortable temperature and humidity, healthy food and drink, adequate lighting at night and below deck (but without setting the ship on fire or interfering with navigation), and sleeping and sanitation facilities. It must be kept dry and afloat. Provision must be made for disasters, whether that be a man overboard, or the ship itself sinking or running aground. Fires and contagious diseases must be fought if they arise. The quest to improve life at sea has progressed, albeit haltingly, on two parallel fronts. The first is analyzing the problems and finding and implementing scientific solutions. The second is by changes in laws and regulations so as to require healthier practices. This book, with a unique problem-solution format, examines the problems of life at sea and how they have been ameliorated."

From the book blurb:

Nautical travel and shipboard living have evolved to be both safer and more comfortable for passengers and crewmembers. While some of these improvements have come about through sheer trial and error, others are the result of a careful analysis of problems, followed by finding and implementing scientific solutions.

This book, with a unique problem-solution format, examines the challenges of life at sea and how they have been ameliorated. It covers topics such as ventilation, healthy food and drink, sleeping quarters, sanitation facilities, internal and external lighting, seaworthiness, and survival of maritime disasters (man overboard, shipwreck, fire, and contagious disease). The text traces the history of the various attempts to address the difficulties of life on the water from a scientific, engineering and legal perspective.