French Wars: Military Supplies/ Technology Flashcards
How were supply chains and logistics developed?
• Military depots in key locations like Chatham and Plymouth helped centralise supply chains, ensuring troops in Peninsular War and other campaigns had consistent access to provisions
How was food preserved for longer during the French Wars?
• new technique of canning
• critical in ensuring the army had access to food during long campaigns, during naval voyages and when land routes were unavailable
How was infrastructure developed during the French Wars?
• the need to move supplies and troops across Britain and to ports like Portsmouth and Plymouth led to improvement of transport networks
• e.g expansion of canal system, e.g Grand Junction canal was critical for moving goods and military supplies
How were military transport technologies improved during the French Wars?
• Horse- drawn wagons were refined for better durability and capacity
• Railroads began to develop after the wars - however their widespread use became more prominent late 19th century
How were ports well maintained for the Royal Navy?
• dry docks created, became essential for repairing and maintaining the fleet
• Portsmouth Dockyard expanded its dry dock facilities, allowing ships to be kept in fighting condition after battles like Trafalgar
How was the British naval fleet expanded during the French wars?
• grew to over 600 ships by end of the conflict
• focused on building large ships of the line and frigates, such as HMS Victory (launched 1765)
• these ships were designed to carry heavy artillery and protect Britain’s trade routes and colonies
How did shipbuilding see technological advancements in terms of materials used?
• Wooden ships dominated, but more iron began to be used
• Coppering the bottoms of ships to prevent decay
New docks in the French wars
Rotherhithe Dry Dock 1798 - allowed ships to be repaired and maintained efficiently
What were dry docks?
• a narrow basin or vessel that can be flooded to allow a load to be floated in, then drained so the load (ship) is rested in a dry platform and can be repaired
